When people are stressed, their bodies go into fight-or-flight mode. This means the body uses a lot of energy for quick action, like running away from danger, but not so much for fighting sickness. So when you're really tired or stressed out, your immune system gets weaker and you’re more likely to catch a cold or flu. It's like having a superhero team that’s busy saving the day instead of protecting you.
Examples
- A child who is stressed about schoolwork may catch a cold more easily.
- An adult who works late hours and feels constantly overwhelmed might be sick more often.
- A person who argues with their partner every day might feel run down and get a flu earlier than usual.
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See also
- Why Do Humans Get Sick After Traveling?
- What are stress responses?
- What are stress or emotional triggers?
- What are immune responses?
- What causes allergies to develop and how do they impact the body?