Stressful events can also trigger emotional feelings of anxiety, fear, insecurity and anger. For most people, brief stressful encounters are well tolerated. Prolonged stress, however, has been linked to many health problems including sleep disturbances, ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and depressed immune function. Scientists have been researching the effects of stress on illness for over fifty years. Many studies have shown a link between chronic stress and impaired immune system function.
Researchers believe that chronic stress affects the immune system in a number of ways.
For example, the hormones released in response to stress may directly impair the function of immune cells. Therefore, managing stress is an important factor in maintaining immune function, reducing infections and possibly slowing HIV progression. To manage stress effectively, you need to be aware of your major sources of stress. Since it is easy to underestimate or overlook some factors that create stressful reactions for you, it may help to keep a 'stress diary' for a week or two. In the diary list of all events that seems stressful to you and note what kind of stressful effects you feel.