As my study buddy walked into the room to prepare for the AP test tomorrow, I opened the chapter titled, “Immune System” to review with her. Me: “I was just researching autoimmune disease online to fi


As my study buddy walked into the room to prepare for the AP test tomorrow, I opened the chapter titled, “Immune System” to review with her.

Me: “I was just researching autoimmune disease online to find some definitions for our test tomorrow and I found an article about how stress can be a major factor in causing autoimmune diseases and cancer. I was very surprised!”

My Study Buddy: “Really?  It is interesting to notice that most of these autoimmune diseases and cancers have been linked to stress in our daily lives. Stress causes an increase in the cortisol in the blood, which reduces the white blood cell count and makes us vulnerable to any damage to our cells, which may lead to cancer, autoimmune disease or infection. I am sure if we would take care of our emotional wellbeing, we would automatically take care of our physical health.”

View the short video below about the effects of stress on the immune system.  Once you watch this short video complete the discussion for this week following the instructions STEP 2.Stress is not good for your immune system

2. Initial Post: Create a new thread and answer all three parts of the initial prompt below

  1. Explain why you agree or disagree that emotional health can affect our physical health.
  2. Provide one example of how stress can affect our health.
  3. Describe 2 lifestyle changes that could reduce the stress in our lives.