HOW HOSTILITY AFFECTS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT
Managing Anger and Negative Emotions Can Improve Your Health and Extend Your Life
DR. SRINI PILLAY
2024
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Hostility is a complex personality trait that includes negative thinking (like cynicism), negative feelings (such as anger and resentment), and negative behaviors (such as aggression and insults). When hostility comes from being angry or not getting what one wants, it feels natural and somewhat understandable, but when it persists or becomes a way of being, whether expressed outwardly through insults and aggression, or inwardly as bitterness or resentment, it can have a profound impact on the immune system and overall health. In fact, hostility has long been known as an independent risk factor for illness and death, especially from coronary heart disease (CHD).
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Why does hostility have such a negative impact on health?
Several processes have been suggested as ways hostility might increase disease risk, including unhealthy habits, overreactions of the heart and blood vessels to stress, and problems with the body’s stress response system. While these processes show how psychological factors can impact the body, they may not fully explain how hostility leads to certain diseases. Increased inflammation could be an additional step linking hostility to coronary heart disease (CHD).
How does hostility impact inflammation?
More inflammation: While inflammation is a natural defense mechanism, too much of it over time can damage healthy tissues, contribute to pain, and increase the risk of conditions like heart disease or arthritis. It's like the body being on constant alert, which can wear it down. Recent evidence shows that people with higher levels of hostility have more proinflammatory cytokines in their blood. Cytokines are proteins the immune system releases to help fight infections or respond to injuries. However, when too many proinflammatory cytokines are present, it can lead to excessive inflammation, which can harm the body over time.
Hostility and it's negative impact
Srini Pillay
Balancing helper cells: Immune-related inflammation relies on the balance between two types of helper T cells, Th1 and Th2, which regulate the body's immune response. Th1 cells release cytokines that promote inflammation, while Th2 cells release cytokines that reduce inflammation. Too much activity from either type can lead to health problems: too much Th1 activity can cause inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. At the same time, too much Th2 activity can make a person more prone to infections and allergies
Maintaining a balance between Th1 and Th2 activity is key to resisting disease. Atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries that narrows and hardens them, is a key part of coronary heart disease (CHD) and is mainly driven by Th1 immune activity. However, a lack of Th2 activity can also play a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis.
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Only one type of helper cell is impacted: A recent study found that people with higher levels of hostility, especially those with a cynical mindset, have increased levels of two inflammatory substances, TNF-α and IFN-γ, which are produced by the immune system. This increase in inflammatory substances was not related to factors like age, gender, race, income, body weight, depression, or lifestyle habits, and it was consistent across men and women. Hostility was not linked to substances that reduce inflammation (Th2 cytokines).
Hostility and inflammation
Srini Pillay
What can you do to protect yourself from hostility-induced inflammation and heart disease?
Considering that hostility refers to cynicism, anger, resentment, aggression and insults, pay attention to these feelings if they arise in you. If you notice these emotions arising in yourself, here are some steps you can take to address each one:
Cynicism: Instead of assuming others have bad intentions, try focusing on their potential good intentions or consider giving them the benefit of the doubt. If you can’t, focus on other positive things in your life.
Anger: When you feel anger building, channel your energy into a healthy outlet like exercise, journaling, or talking to someone you trust.
Resentment: Let go of past disappointments by practicing forgiveness, not necessarily for others but for your peace of mind. Focus on what you can learn from the experience and how you can grow from it.
Aggression: When you feel the urge to act aggressively, replace that response with a calmer action. For example, count to ten before responding, or walk away from the situation until you’re ready to handle it constructively.
Insults: Instead of insulting others or thinking negatively about them, focus on understanding where they might be coming from by putting yourself in their shoes and responding with kindness or neutral statements.
These five steps will help ensure that you are not only in a less hostile state of mind but that your body is protected too.
