The immune system is the most important defence mechanism of the human body. When immunity is low, the most obvious signs are that our body becomes sensitive and weak. Slight changes in the external environment can cause physical discomfort, making us susceptible to colds, fatigue, allergies, mouth ulcers, a weak digestive system, and making us prone to infections.
A weakened immunity in the long term may increase the risk of cancer. This is because the human body produces some abnormal cells every day, including cancerous cells. A healthy immune system can effectively detect these cells and eliminate them. However, when the immune system is weak, it may not be able to do so, giving them a chance to grow and spread.
Perils of an Aggressive Immune System
On the other hand, an over-active immune system is not good either. Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus are caused by an overactive immune function that attacks and damages one’s own tissues.
Such diseases are often attributed to an immune system that is too aggressive, but it is more dysfunctional in nature. If this is not treated in a timely and effective manner, it can cause serious harm to the body and even become life-threatening.
Therefore, only a healthy immune system can allow us to develop effective immunity and enjoy good health.
Pandemics – A Test of Immunity
The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading wildly around the world. Early statistics show that the average age of those infected is 51 years old. Patients with chronic diseases are more likely to die than those without. The highest mortality rate is that of the elderly over 80 years old. The harm that this coronavirus can inflict on people is the latest test of human immunity.
The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted a worrying trend in its 2019 report – A World at Risk. The world is facing more outbreaks of infectious diseases which increasingly escalate into global pandemics. Influenza, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Ebola virus, Zika virus, bubonic plague and the new coronavirus disease that we are currently experiencing have impacted the health and lives of countless people.
How Meditation Improves Immunity
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that all diseases are caused by a lack of energy and with the right balance of energy, sickness will not arise. When the body’s energy is insufficient or its flow is not smooth, it will cause poor circulation of energy in the body, upsetting the balance of yin and yang and the five elements. This results in a drop in one’s immunity.
The most direct benefit of meditation is that it can effectively relieve mental stress and negative emotions such as tension, irritability, anxiety, fear, depression, etc. Meditation also unblocks the meridians, boosts energy and blood circulation, purifies the mind and eliminates negative energy. It allows one to communicate with Universal energy, replenish vital energy and nourishes the internal organs. This greatly enhances the body’s ability to self-regulate and ensures a healthy immune system.
With more epidemics on the horizon, we must take precautions to protect ourselves. Incorporating meditation practice into our everyday routine strengthens the immune system and improves the body’s resistance to disease. It can also improve mental wellbeing by relaxing the body and mind, enhancing concentration and improving our psychological state, forming a protective barrier that allows us to effectively resist the threat of external stress and disease.
