People think of indulging in hobbies and pleasurable activities as an act of leisure. They do not consider these as essential or something that will benefit them. However, research studies have shown otherwise. Results of clinical studies have revealed that self-care and pleasure sought by indulging in activities you like to perform can actually improve your overall health. It has specifically been linked to improved immune system health.

Let us have a look at what research studies have revealed about the impact of self-care and pleasure on the functions of the immune system.

What Are the Effects of Self-Care and Pleasure on the Immune System?

The Emotional-Immune Response

Research studies over the past few decades have provided evidence for the similarities and overlaps between emotional responses and immunity. Most people use both these systems, often unknowingly or at a subconscious level, to adjust to the changing conditions in the external environment dynamically.

Both these systems can be protective for the body when kept under control but can become detrimental when they fall into disarray.

A deeper understanding of the molecular and cellular links between the immunological and emotional systems is expected to contribute to significant advancements in translational research.

This form of research called “affective immunology” is also expected to help distinguish it from the comparatively broader field of psycho-neuro-immunology and specifically connect the emotions to immune responses and vice versa.

These studies have revealed that the perceived impression of the world of psychology or psychiatry and immunology being completely different is not true. On the contrary, it is possible to enhance your immunity by taking steps towards improving self-care and pleasure.

It is now accepted that people who take good care of themselves and do not neglect the needs of their emotional health can have a stronger immune system that is capable of fighting infections and disease development more efficiently.

The Effects of Psychological Wellness on the Immune System

The susceptibility of a person to infectious diseases is known to be influenced by the immune responses of the host. Immune responses include the reactions of fluids and immune cells towards the presence of any invader that is typically not recognized as a healthy constituent of the body.

This ability of the immune system to fight infectious diseases has been found to be influenced by the emotional status of the person.

This study has proposed that strengthening psychological balance could be an effective way to improve the immune response in the event of exposure of the body to infectious pathogens.

Psychological well-being might strengthen the immune response that can be measured by a change in the cortisol awakening response. This study has provided evidence linking self-care and pleasure to improved emotional health, which, in turn, can strengthen the immunity and the body’s defenses against infections.

Favorable Hormonal Balance

Spending a few hours a week on activities that you like to perform or pursuing hobbies could create a favorable balance of hormones in your brain. It may lead to an increase in the secretion of feel-good hormones like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin while reducing the levels of stress hormones like cortisol.

This favorable balance of hormones would improve your emotional health and restore healthy immune system functions.

Serotonin is a chemical neurotransmitter that mediates satisfaction, optimism, and happiness. It should be noted that serotonin levels are commonly reduced in patients with depression.

Oxytocin, on the other hand, facilitates better relationships and is associated with positive social behaviors. Hence, it is assumed to be related to happiness.

The increased levels of these hormones achieved through self-care and pleasure would strengthen your immunity and promote the body’s ability to resist disease development.

These studies have suggested that doing things that feel nice for your mind and body can release feel-good hormones that can support immune system functions. This marks the importance of self-care and pleasure and dedicating a few hours each week to the activities you like to perform. You can combine these healthy and pleasurable activities with the use of immunity-modulating supplements like BioPro-Plus.

BioPro-Plus could help to strengthen your immunity and further enable an optimum balance of feel-good hormones in the brain to keep you happy and healthy for years after years.

Interested in More Info on Self-Care and Pleasure? Keep Reading:

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