Stress has been observed as an important correlate of health, and from the psychoneuroimmunology point of view, stress could be a primary as well as secondary source of poor health (Dunn, 2014 and Lai,Liao, Huang, Chen, & Peng, 2013). Consequently, this paper investigates the relationship between stress and illnesses/diseases using psychoneuroimmunology approach.
Stress and Development of illness/diseases - Psychoneuroimmunology Approach
Psychoneuroimmunology is concerned with the interaction of psychological, neurological and immunological factors in the development and modulation of illnesses and diseases (Ruyak, & Corwin, 2013). Studies have consistently supported the fact that environmental factor as well as the way it is perceived by an individual (psychology) exerts spontaneous effect on the neurons of the brain which in turn stimulates hyperactivity of all physiological systems, interrupting the normal state of wellness (Clark, & Fessler, 2014; Dunn, 2014; Lai,Liao, Huang, Chen, & Peng, 2013; Ruyak, & Corwin, 2013). Not only this, the stress response includes secretion of chemicals such as norepinephrine, epinephrine, adrenaline, dopamine, and glucocorticoid resulting in the behavioral, cognitive and physiological symptoms of …show more content…
Robust studies support the effectiveness of T 'ai Chi in reducing stress. Forty studies reveal its calming and flexible effect via deep breathing and meditation (Dunn, 2014); and sixteen, its improvement of immune regulatory mechanism such as lymphocytes and Igs (Ho, Wang, Ng, Ho, Ziea, Wong, & Chan,2013). Ho, Wang, Ng, Ho, Ziea, Wong, & Chan, however, noted that their studies did not address the commensurability of the effect size of the exercise with the level of immune chemicals capable of protecting against infections as well as intervention in chronic and critical