Stress can both enhance and suppress the immune system. Short-term stress can boost immune responses by altering immune cell trafficking and function, and increasing cytokine production. This can help the body deal with challenges like infections or wounds 12. However, chronic stress can suppress or dysregulate the immune system, altering the balance of immune responses, inducing inflammation, and affecting the function of protective cells 13. This can increase susceptibility to infections and certain types of cancer 4.