With flu season in full swing, Health Net, Inc. is working toincrease awareness of not only standard flu-fighting basics such ashabitual hand washing, but also of the strong connection betweenstress levels and susceptibility to respiratory infections,including flu.

“When we talk about seasonal flu, the focus most often is onvaccinations and good hygiene—both of which are important—butthere’s a tendency to overlook the strong connection between mentalhealth and physical health,” explains Jonathan Scheff, chiefmedical officer, Health Net, Inc. “Several studies have presentedpowerful evidence supporting the mind-body connection and thatconnection certainly applies to the impact of stress on our immunesystem.”

The American Psychological Association assessed some 300 studiesand concluded long-term stress significantly suppresses the immunesystem. Other findings included:

• The longer the stress, the more negative change in the immunesystem.
• The most chronic stressors—stress that seems beyond a person’scontrol—resulted in the most global suppression of immunity, withnearly all measures of immune system function droppingmeasurably.
• Immune system functioning that is compromised by high levels ofstress lowers the body’s ability to fend off flus and colds; and,once a person actually catches a cold or flu, stress also canworsen the symptoms.

Stress-management tips