Holidays Turn Out to Increase Immunity

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The activity that feels crowded makes us want to escape for a moment from the daily routine. Currently the term is no stranger traveling, trip, or backpacking, all these terms refer to the word holiday. There are many services that offer cheap packages for your own vacation or with friends. After returning from vacation, what do you feel? Do you feel refreshed? Often, we are reluctant to go back to the routine after the holiday is over. But what power, life must continue to run, right? Apart from making our minds clear again, what are the benefits of a vacation?

Where do the 'holiday can increase immunity' claims come from?

There is news that holidays can help your body fight infections. Not without the basis of the story reported. Based on the NHS, the study came from Barts researchers and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary's University of London, and Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine at the University of London. If you have to look at the background, this research does not receive any grants. The research was later published in peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Immunology.

The object of the research was rats. There are two groups of mice locked up in two weeks. This confinement or cage is distinguished, one with the type of cage that is given only powder and the other with material commonly used to decorate the cage. In cages with certain materials added wheels, toys, and aisles for their activities. Researchers decorate the cage like resort for vacation. This observation involves changes in behavior and composition of white blood cells (these cells to fight infection). The results found were no changes in behavior in either of these mice and in their white blood cells.

However, in-depth analysis shows differences in certain inflammatory or inflammatory molecules, the effect of which may be able to help other immune cells, namely changes in T-cells in mice that stay in cages ‘ resort' T-cells can stimulate antibodies. It should be underlined that we are different from mice biologically, although there are other arguments that immunity in mice is similar to that of humans. The conclusion drawn is that researchers cannot say that research on rats "on vacation" can boost their immunity.

However, researchers say evidence of changes in T-cells can be linked to changes in gene expression. They also claim that the study brings the possibility of new mechanisms to improve the body's immune system, and help relieve inflammation by relying on environmental change factors.

So, is it true that holidays can boost the immune system?

Another opinion reveals that vacation brings the same benefits as when you meditate. A study involving 94 healthy women aged 30 to 60 years who were recruited to meditate in California for six days, The Telegraph quoted. Then they gave the opinion that some of them felt calm while on vacation, others expressed feeling calm when attending meditation practice.

Based on Dr. Rudolph Tanzi, lecturer in Neurology at Harvard University, said that meditation is one way to offer activities to help the immune system and reduce stress.

What's more, a recent study published in the journal Emotion, researchers from UC Berkley found that seeing something beautiful and inspiring can enhance immunity. How could that happen? The researchers attributed the positive emotions that were formed to people when they saw scenes such as Niagara Falls, with their immune systems. They found a decrease in pro-inflammatory cell production (cytokines; acting as mediators) when looking at beautiful scenery or art. Cytokine cells are needed by the body, but when the level is high it will affect several chronic health conditions.

Even though there is still insufficient evidence that holidays can boost immunity, when on vacation, you can clear your mind and enjoy another life. At least you benefit from experiencing new things, finding new friends, or strengthening relationships with family. This pleasure can reduce stress hormone production. Decreasing stress hormones is good for the health of the body.

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