Mood disorders directly affect your immune system, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Your immune system is the body's protective network that fights off the effects of bacteria, viruses, free-radicals and even cancer cells. In addition to a healthy, balanced diet that includes sufficient antioxidants and other nutrients, you can protect and maintain a healthy immune system by keeping stress levels to a minimum. Keep the mind and body tuned and healthy to prevent disease and illness.
Step 1
Take up a practice such as yoga or meditation to learn exercises that can help you lower your heart rate and blood pressure. These Eastern practices long have been used to reduce stress and produce peace and harmony in the lives of its practitioners.
Step 2
Join an organization of like-minded people to provide you with a strong social support network. According to the American Psychology Association, a lack of social contact and support can lead to depression and loneliness that directly impact your immune system.
Step 3
Find friends and associates who are health-conscious and can influence your own lifestyle. In addition to providing social support, healthy friends encourage you to eat better, participate in physical activities and relax in healthy ways.
Step 4
Engage in biofeedback-based therapy that shows you how your moods are reflected in your heart rate and blood pressure. You can see, through the equipment monitoring your vital signs, how your moods directly affect your physical responses. Practice breathing techniques and thought processes that reduce stress on your body.
Step 5
Seek out activities and situations that make you laugh. According to website Helpguide, laughter boosts your immune system and your energy levels. Watch a comedy show, read a joke book, play with some kids or hang out with witty people who laugh a lot.
Tips and Warnings
- Eliminate bad habits that increase your stress levels and attack your immune system. Excessive alcohol use, illicit-drug abuse, smoking and risky sexual behaviors not only harm your body physically, but they also increase your stress levels, multiplying the total effect on your body's ability to fight off infection.
- Take care of your health to prevent stress. According to the American Psychology Association, it's sometimes difficult to ascertain what comes first -- the physical illness or the stress. Being sick creates another level of stress on top of any psychological stress you might already be experiencing.
Things You'll Need
- Yoga class
- Biofeedback therapy
- Joke books
- Comedy shows
