“Keep calm and carry on” . Stay calm and continuous. This 1939 British poster saying, which has become a philosophy of life, would also be good advice to keep us healthy. A study published in the American journal Health Psychology shows that to be on the right track over time, you must always remain calm, even in the face of stressful situations. The researchers found that the rate of inflammation was higher in people who reacted negatively to the small inconveniences of everyday life.
Inflammation is a natural reaction of the human body to protect itself, thanks to the immune system. It is a mechanism necessary for our survival, but which can turn against us. If this defense process goes into overdrive, a state of chronic inflammation can set in. In the long term, this leads to harmful consequences, such as obesity, cardiovascular disease or cancer.
To establish the direct link between biomarkers of inflammation and responses to daily stressors, 872 adults – who participated in the National Study of Daily Experiences – reported for eight days in a row the different stressful situations experienced during the day, and their emotional responses to these events. At the same time, the researchers took blood samples to note the signs of inflammation. It is easy to imagine the various stressful situations identified:quarrels at home, conflicts at work, acts of discrimination or more simply the delay of a train (which worries almost everyone).
"It's how the person reacts to stress that is important" , says Nancy Sin of Pennsylvania State University, not frequency. “Positive emotions and how they help people in times of stress are far too neglected” says Professor Sind. The results underline the importance of adopting a positive attitude in situations that are not always pleasant. In addition, it is proven, women present greater risks. A good reason to follow the five anti-stress reflexes that work in real life, and promote good stress.
