Stress can play a major role in the health of our skin. When we are anxious or stressed a hormone called cortisol is released that causes many things to occur in our bodies such as the accumulation of fat as well as making your skin appear oily, dry, full of acne and wrinkled. When cortisol is released into the bloodstream it causes it causes blood sugar to rise, encouraging a process known as glycation in the skin that causes the collagen to harden, increasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Another effect stress has on the skin is to dry it out, which is once again due to the release of cortisol. In this instance, the cortisol decreases the skin’s production of hyaluronic acid which is a natural moisturizer. It can also result in damage to the skin’s protective qualities that allow for hydration levels to be maximized. When all of these are compromised, the skin can become very dry and damaged. In order to sport a healthy, radiant skin it is important to minimize the effects stress has on it. A few simple guidelines can aid you in keeping your skin looking young and feeling great.
Get into a Routine
One of the easiest and most effective ways of reducing the effects of stress on your skin is to take care of it through a regular skin-care routine. It is natural to skimp on certain things when we are stressed because we become too tired and frazzled to think about deep-cleansing and moisturizing. Sticking to a skin-care routine will enable you to maintain a healthy and glowing skin whereas neglecting it can cause more stress, resulting in an unfortunate vicious circle.
Work Out
A great way to relieve your skin from stress is to work out. Whether you go for a run, hit the gym for a workout and take a swim you are bound to rid yourself of a substantial amount of negative energy. Exercising will not only benefit you physically but will also make you feel a lot better emotionally. Sitting around moping about things won’t make anything better. You may as well put your time and energy to good use and burn off your stress by being active. Remember to clean and moisturise your skin thoroughly after a workout to get rid of the added impurities brought on by excessive sweating.
Have a Nap
Sleep should form an important part of your skin-care routine. Stress reduction will trigger a decreased production of chemicals and stress hormones, leaving your skin looking more radiant. Not getting sufficient sleep will only worsen skin conditions as well as decrease one’s overall well-being. It is important to get into the habit of going to sleep and waking up at the same as well as allowing yourself to take short naps when you feel the need to recharge.
Think About Things
We often get so caught up in our busy lives that we are aware that we are stresses but remain unsure of what to do about it. If this applies to you, you need to think about what exactly is causing you to feel this way. Are the negative feelings and anxiety you are experiencing brought on by a specific person or situation? While it may be uncomfortable to consciously think about these things it is very necessary. Once you have established the cause of your stress you can address it, resulting in a blemish-free relaxed skin.
Apart from doing things that you enjoy it is also important to love and take care of yourself. Things like eating healthy, engaging in regular exercise and setting boundaries can all contribute to an improved sense of well-being. Although eliminating stress completely may not be possible, it is possible to live a healthier life and reduce stress significantly. Anxiety and stress is a nasty thing and can wreak havoc in your everyday life. Make the effort to reduce your stress and see the noticeable difference in your skin
Resources & Further Reading:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/nov/07/stress-uncertain-political-health
https://www.naturalandhealthyliving.com/top-10-natural-homemade-moisturizers/
https://www.liliesbeauty.com/2018/01/skincare-im-currently-testing.html
https://unsplash.com/photos/P4-4J9QF7rI
https://unsplash.com/photos/qYanN54gIrI
https://unsplash.com/photos/CwIU33KGToc
