Well, it turns out that stress really can kill you!  Stress researcher, Dr. Janice Kiecolt-Glacer at the Ohio State University College of Medicine found in her studies that stress leads to a common pathway; chronic inflammation.  By putting our body in a constant state of high alert, stress and subsequent inflammation increases our response to nonthreatening allergens, while reducing our ability to repond to infection.   Indeed, stress can exacerbate osteoporosis, arthritis and allergies.  And it makes sense then that people with high levels of anxiety are more likely to suffer from asthma. 

Kiecolt-Glacer's research also suggests that chronic stress actually ages the immune system and puts us at risk for heart attacks, diabetes and even certain cancers by limiting the body's ability to respond to infections.   Chronically stressed adults are shown to heal more slowly from wounds  and respond to vaccinations.  Researchers believe that this is because those of us with high levels of chronic stress, have higher than normal levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a messenger protein that promotes cells to have inflammatory responses, suppressing immune response to normal germs and viruses.  Dr. Kiecolt-Glacer's research has shown that even a simple argument with your spouse, or a big presentation can lead to elevated IL-6, causing suppressed immune systems. 

So, do you know how to de-stress?  There are lots of simple ways to let off some steam but the biggest thing is that you have to reserve time in your day to actually do it.  Of course, exercise, sleep and nutritious meals are top of the list.  Other things can help too, such as building up a good social support network, journaling, listening to music, taking some deep breaths, yoga, having a hobby, and using that much-earned vacation time!  So tell us what you do to manage stress in your life so that it doesn't get the best of you.