Do you know that feeling when you are on a roll? Good things just seem to keep coming your way. And sadly – When it rains it pours. Sometimes for a lifetime. Science starts to shed light on how we end up on either trajectory. Understanding the role of our immune system in this cycle and that healthy lifestyle choices overall will help along on the healing journey.
Evolutionary principals
Evolutionary science tells us that our bodies have two different modes. One, for when we are in a good place and a different one for when we are unwell.
When we are physically in good shape inside and out, no injuries and high spirits, nor any mental stress, our bodies realize we are not in immediate need for resources. No need to run away or nurse injuries. Our subconscious knows the likelihood for our survival is good. We can allow ourselves to play the long game. It is okay to miss out on resources now for potential bigger rewards later. That might mean that we can abstain from watching a next episode but study instead. In the future then we have a bigger reward, our college degree.
However, do our bodies feel like we are in distress, excessing resources become the important thing. Historically distress would have referred to a saber-toothed tiger, nowadays it might be facing a workplace evaluation or a situation our abuser has conducted. Either way, the future become uncertain, we fear we might not survive, energy is needed now.
Immune system & life choices
We know the stereotype of someone from a disrupted home ending up drinking too much which of cause leads to more poor life choices. However, science is beginning to uncover the mechanisms at play inside the individual. And that these mechanisms apply not only to people that develop addictions but also on a smaller scale.
As a means of quantifying stress levels objectively researchers analyzed participants immune systems. All healthy individuals were examined regarding the state of their immune systems and their tendency to risky behavior (e.g. drinking). What they found was that even sub-clinical levels of inflammation are suffices to promote impulsive behavior and an inability to delay gratification (1). The inability to delay gratification can be in regard to addiction, not being able to put down the alcohol for instance. However, it can also apply in a more mundane sense. Common behavioral patterns are eating a lot of sugar, not enough exercise or too much screen time. Recognizing that inflammation promotes poor life choices opens a new route to tackle bad habits.
Instead of forcing yourself to quit a habit, you can make it easier on yourself by making efforts to down regulate your immune system.
I had practitioners tell me I had sub-clinical levels of inflammation. They could never ascribe it to anything in particular, so they send me home. And things at the time did seems to get from bad to worse. The key for me was to get my mental health in order. But it is good to know that I can help the process along by calming my immune system. Yoga and meditations are things I do. I actually found scientific research that adrenaline levels are reduced by taking cold showers. I explain all that in COLD showers – evidence shows it helps. It is so good to know that I can take action and don’t just have to wait until things get better.
(1) Inflammation Predicts Decision-Making Characterized by Impulsivity, Present Focus, and an Inability to Delay Gratification (2019) J. Gassen, M. L. Prokosch, M. J. Eimerbrink, R. P. Proffitt Leyva, J. D. White, J. L. Peterman, A. Burgess, D. J. Cheek, A. Kreutzer, S. C. Nicolas, G. W. Boehm, S. E. Hill
