Stress worsens hay fever

Fri, 09 Apr 2010

A new study compiled at the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, University of Worcester by the unit’s director Professor Jean Emberlin has found stress to be a compounding factor in increasing symptoms of hayfever .

Almost 25% of the UK population suffers from symptoms of hayfever, including runny nose, sneezing, eye irritation, however, those people who suffered from stress are likely to experience symptoms twice as severe. Almost 75% of all hay fever suffers experienced worst symptoms than average when under stress.

When people are stressed their bodies produce cortisone, also known as the "stress hormone". Cortisone affects the immune symptoms increasing the severity of symptoms and the duration of those symptoms.

Chronic stress will inevitably impacts health of individuals leading to physiological illnesses such as heart disease, skin rashes, insomnia and even cancers. Importantly, in addition to physical illnesses, stress leads to a range of mental illnesses including anxiety, panic attacks and depression .

Although Prof Embrerlin suggests that eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise will also help to lower stress, boost the body’s immunity and make you more able to cope with hayfever, however, since stress is normally a mental process, creating a health mind through meditation has proved itself to be one of the most effective cures for stress.

"Due to increased stress as a result of the severe recession, we are seeing a rapid rise in the traffic to our free online meditation guidance" said Dav Panesar teacher and researcher of mindfulness .

EXERCISES

Mindfulness (by Dav Panesar)

Symran (by Dav Panesar)


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