Consider the following mindset and focus shifts:

Loss to gratitude

“I can’t” to “I can”

Negative thoughts to affirmations

Weaknesses to Strengths

To do list/missing pieces to celebrating accomplishments

Lack of choice to choices

Immune function is proven to be influenced by thought and healthy practices and diet. If you are negative, you will feel negative. If you believe you can’t, you can’t. So on and so forth. Optimism improves short term immune function. If continued engagement in strong negative situations or taxing long term situational exposure is present, regardless of optimism, this is also taxing to the immune function (Segerstrom, et al., 2005). There are recognized and tested correlations between stress and immune function. Psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy reduce harmful effects on the immune system according to (Vasile, 2020).

Psychological wellbeing is associated with improved immune function according to Abdurachman and Herawati. Traits of such include autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relationships toward others, the purpose in life, and self acceptance. Measured markers discussed in research included cortisol awakening response, conserved transcriptional response to adversity, pro-inflammatory interferon type I, T cells, NK cells, phagocytes, and more (2018). According to Wahbeh, et al., IgA is influenced by mind-body medicine. Relaxation training was also described as having grade A evidence to support positive effect on immune function (2009).

Stressful life events have also been associated with immune impairment in men who respond with minimal emotions, either positive or negative. There is a need for emotional expression linked to positive immune function according to Dich, et al. (2020). IgA and salivary cortisol have been shown to be positively affected by pleasant emotions (Barak, 2006).

This is an empowering subject, where science meets ancient wisdom. In situations where unavoidable and sustained hardship exists and in vulnerable populations, this could be discouraging. Human behavior, perspective, emotion, and more, influence immunity and health.

References

Abdurachman, Herawati N. THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN

BOOSTING IMMUNE RESPONSE: AN OPTIMAL EFFORT FOR TACKLING

INFECTION. Afr J Infect Dis. 2018 Mar 7;12(1 Suppl):54-61. Doi:

10.2101/Ajid.12v1S.7. PMID: 29619431; PMCID: PMC5876785.

Barak Y. The immune system and happiness. Autoimmun Rev. 2006 Oct;5(8):523-7. Doi:

10.1016/j.autrev.2006.02.010. Epub 2006 Mar 21. PMID: 17027886.

Dich N, Rozing MP, Kivimäki M, Doan SN. Life Events, Emotions, and Immune Function:

Evidence from Whitehall II Cohort Study. Behav Med. 2020

Apr-Jun;46(2):153-160. doi: 10.1080/08964289.2019.1570072. Epub 2019 Mar 25. PMID: 30908163.

Segerstrom SC. Optimism and immunity: do positive thoughts always lead to positive effects?

Brain Behav Immun. 2005 May;19(3):195-200. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2004.08.003. PMID:

15797306; PMCID: PMC1948078.

Vasile C. Mental health and immunity (Review). Exp Ther Med. 2020 Dec;20(6):211. Doi:

10.3892/etm.2020.9341. Epub 2020. Oct 14. PMID: 33149775; PMCID: PMC7604758.

Wahbeh H, Haywood A, Kaufman K, Zwickey H. Mind-Body Medicine and Immune System

Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Open Complement Med J. 2009;1:25-34. Doi:

10.2174/1876391X00901010025. PMID: 23227136; PMCID: PMC3516431.