Can poor mood lead to decreased immunity?

Nov 14, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Ziqi

Introduction

Whether poor mood leads to decreased immunity depends on the duration of the emotional state. Short-term, mild mood fluctuations generally do not affect immune function. However, prolonged anxiety, depression, or other negative emotions can weaken the immune system. It is important to actively manage emotions in daily life—relieve stress through physical exercise and seek emotional support by communicating with family and friends. Maintain regular sleep patterns and a balanced diet.

Whether poor mood leads to decreased immunity depends on the duration of the emotional state. Short-term, mild mood fluctuations generally do not affect immunity; however, prolonged anxiety, depression, or other negative emotions can weaken the immune system.

When experiencing temporary low moods, such as occasional irritability or sadness, the body's regulatory systems can quickly compensate, and immune function remains largely undisturbed. In such cases, simply talking to someone, listening to music, or otherwise releasing emotions is usually sufficient to restore well-being, and there is no need for excessive concern about immunity.

Chronic negative emotions trigger the body to release stress hormones, which suppress the activity of immune cells and lead to a sustained decline in immunity. Individuals in this state are more susceptible to colds, bacterial infections, and slower wound healing, creating a vicious cycle between poor emotional health and weakened immunity.

In daily life, it's important to actively manage emotions—engaging in physical exercise to relieve stress and communicating regularly with family and friends for emotional support. Maintaining regular sleep patterns and a balanced diet provides the body with adequate nutrition, strengthening the immune system from both emotional and physiological perspectives.

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What causes bad mood, headache, and nausea, and what should I do?

Poor mood, headaches, and nausea may be caused by excessive mental stress, lack of sleep, depression, migraines, high blood pressure, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Patients are also advised to engage in moderate physical exercise, such as walking or running, avoid staying up late, and maintain a diet low in salt and fat.

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Can a bad mood cause an increase in body temperature?

In general, body temperature may rise when someone is in a bad mood, but it may not. Poor mood can trigger certain physiological responses, one of which might be an increase in body temperature. However, not everyone experiences a rise in temperature with emotional changes, and some individuals may even experience a drop in body temperature when feeling down or depressed.

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Why does a newborn cry before passing stool?

Defecation usually refers to bowel movements. Crying before defecation in newborns may be caused by poor mood, constipation, indigestion, allergies, gastroenteritis, or other reasons, and treatment should be based on the specific condition. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention at a hospital, complete relevant examinations, identify the underlying cause, and then receive targeted treatment under a doctor's guidance. During treatment, giving the newborn more water may help relieve discomfort.