Feeling sad? Here's how high cortisol level weakens immunity, makes you prone to illnesses

Depression and anxiety: Staying sad for prolonged periods can lead to depression, and also weaken your immune system. And with a compromised immunity, your body becomes more vulnerable to illnesses and infections (Image: Canva)

We all experience sadness at some point in our lives. It’s a natural emotion that creeps in for various reasons, be it due to personal losses, stress, or the challenges life throws at us. But while occasional sadness is inevitable, constantly feeling down can have serious repercussions on your mental and physical health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), feeling sad from time to time is a normal response to life changes or disappointments. During these periods, you might cry, listen to sad music, or spend more time alone. However, if these feelings of sadness persist for more than two weeks and begin to disrupt your daily life, it may indicate depression. Persistent sadness can significantly impact your physical and mental health and daily functioning.

Staying sad for prolonged periods can lead to depression, and also weaken your immune system. And with a compromised immunity, your body becomes more vulnerable to illnesses and infections.

Here is  how staying sad can impact your health and why it’s important to break this cycle.

Weakened immune response: When you’re sad or depressed, your body releases higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Cortisol, when elevated for long periods, suppresses your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infections like the flu or common colds. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that chronic sadness can directly weaken the immune response, leaving you exposed to viruses and bacteria more easily.

Increased inflammation: Chronic sadness and depression can cause increased inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or infection, but too much of it can lead to chronic diseases. When inflammation stays high due to emotional distress, it not only makes you feel physically worse but can also increase your risk for conditions like heart disease and autoimmune disorders

Digestive issues: Ever notice how your stomach feels unsettled when you're feeling particularly down? That’s no coincidence. Sadness and depression have been linked to digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Prolonged emotional distress can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your gut, which plays a key role in your overall immune health. With this imbalance, your digestive system becomes more prone to infections and disorders, making it harder to absorb nutrients efficiently.

Disrupted sleep: One of the most common symptoms of sadness and depression is disturbed sleep patterns. You might find yourself either sleeping too much or struggling with insomnia. A lack of proper sleep weakens your immune system and leaves your body without the recovery time it needs to fend off infections. The National Sleep Foundation reveals that poor sleep reduces your body’s ability to produce protective antibodies, leaving you more susceptible to illness.

Increased risk of infections: When your body is constantly under emotional strain, it struggles to maintain the physical energy needed to fend off infections. Studies have shown that people who are chronically sad or depressed are more likely to suffer from common infections, like respiratory illnesses, due to their weakened immune systems. In the long term, this makes your body less resilient in fighting off even minor health problems.

Breaking the cycle:

Understanding the connection between sadness and physical health is the first step toward making positive changes. While sadness is a part of life, staying in a perpetual state of sadness can wreak havoc on both your mental and physical well-being. Taking steps to boost your mood—whether through therapy, exercise, or connecting with loved ones—can help strengthen your immune system and protect your health in the long run.