With cold and flu season arriving earlier than typical in many regions, a biochemist and immunologist is drawing attention to the often-overlooked connection between emotional stress and susceptibility to seasonal illness. Dr. Judith A. Swack, originator of the Healing from the Body Level Up™ (HBLU™) methodology, says psychological stress can suppress immune function and trigger low-grade inflammation, leaving the body more vulnerable to colds, flu, and other infections.
According to Swack, many people assume winter illnesses are simply a matter of a virus going around. "It has been my experience, however, that people get sick for only two reasons: They are physically run down (i.e. not enough rest, nutrition, or exercise) or, more commonly, they had a traumatic shock 24-72 hours prior," she says. Such shocks can include unexpected bad news, revisiting a painful memory, holiday family conflict, or financial strain—events that activate the body's fight-flight-freeze response and elevate stress hormones like cortisol, temporarily reducing immune activity.
The implications extend beyond individual suffering. If stress and unresolved trauma are common triggers for illness, then addressing them could reduce the burden on health systems during an already early flu season. Swack notes that many people do not consciously recognize the emotional events that set off a stress response, and that unresolved trauma can keep the nervous system activated long after the original event has passed. Her book, Clear Trauma Now: The Powerful Solution for Getting Unstuck, outlines her approach to clearing these patterns.
Swack is scheduled to present a "Clear Trauma Now Live Healing Webinar" on Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, 12, and 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. Details are available at hblu.org/live-healing-experience. She also offers monthly live trauma healing webinars and professional training in HBLU, with more information at HBLU.org.
The timing of the announcement matters because public health messaging around flu season typically focuses on vaccination and hygiene, not stress management. Swack's perspective suggests that daily habits supporting nervous system regulation—and simple mind-body techniques practiced after upsetting events—could be a complementary strategy for staying well. As flu activity picks up, the conversation about prevention may need to include the role of emotional resilience, not just viral exposure.
