How does stress physically affect immune system function? State three ways. Describe the third way, and identify several examples and how these affect health and immunity.​

A. Three ways that stress physically affects immune system function are:
1. via the peripheral nervous system
2. via neuroendocrine hormone secretion
3. via behaviors that affect the immune system.
B. While the first two stress responses involve chemical communication between the brain and endocrine glands, the third stress response involves people's behaviors.
C. People who are under stress may engage in behaviors including these:
1. Drink more alcohol than usual.
2. Use or abuse drugs/substances.
3. Smoke more cigarettes than otherwise.
4. Get less sleep than they need.
5. Eat unhealthy and/or unbalanced diets.
6. Not engage in enough (or any) physical activity.
D. The common behaviors of people under stress listed above each raise their risk for various diseases.
E. These behaviors may also exert other negative influences on the immune system.