Stress
Stress can lead to a cold sore outbreak. This includes, mental, emotional and physical stress. Anytime that you are under a great deal of stress your body responds by releasing cortisol, the fight or flight hormone. Cortisol, while it helps your body cope with stress, also weakens your immune system, leaving you vulnerable to illness and, if you have them, cold sores.
While stress is something that we all deal with in life, there are ways that it can be managed. Some healthy coping strategies include doing something that you enjoy like writing, coloring or playing a game, meditating and breathing deeply, and exercise such as running or yoga.
