Unless you’re extremely lucky
and have naturally perfect skin, you’ve probably read plenty of articles about
how to improve your complexion. Many of these focus on the type of products you
should use or the types of foods you should eat (and avoid); however, it’s
equally important to think about the impact that stress has on your skin.
Here’s why it could be the missing piece of your skincare puzzle.
The link between stress
and skin health
We all know that stress is
damaging to both our mental and physical health, but you might not be aware
that it also manifests in our skin. The hormonal changes that stress causes can
have a negative impact on our complexions, increasing the risk of issues such
as acne, dry skin, bags under our eyes, eczema, wrinkles, and rashes. Not only
that, but it can also make it more difficult to get rid of those conditions
once you have them – and often makes your existing skin problems worse. As
such, combatting stress can be an effective strategy to not only improve your
wellbeing but also the condition of your skin.
That’s not to say that
eliminating stress will solve all your skincare problems. It’s still important
to have a good skincare regime, eat healthily, and wear sunscreen every day.
Similarly, if you have larger issues, such as sagging skin drooping around your
eyes and obstructing your vision, Atlanta eyelid surgery may well be your best option for solving those.
Ways to destress
So now that we know why your
skin will benefit from some rest and relaxation, let’s look at some concrete
suggestions for how you can reduce stress. Remember that not all these tactics
will work for everyone, so try out as many as appeal to you and see which you
find most effective:
• Meditation – even just five minutes a day can help
to calm your mind
• Breathing exercises – these are quick and easy,
making them ideal for dealing with immediate stressors
• Long walks in nature – this has been shown to reduce levels of the stress
hormone cortisol
• Adult coloring books – these can be an effective way
to reduce feelings of anxiety
• Spending time on your favorite hobby – whether it’s
reading, drawing, music, or movies
• Yoga – the combination of light physical activity
and focus on breathing can be very beneficial
• Exercise – this is a classic way to relieve stress,
with the added bonus of boosting your physical health
• Setting a clear boundary between your work and
personal life – this will help to reduce the risk of burnout
• Counseling – talking to a professional can work
wonders if you’re experiencing a lot of stress
• Journaling – this can be a helpful way to work through
negative feelings you might be having
• Keeping a gratitude diary – writing down three
unique things that you’re grateful for every single day (and why) can shift
your attention to the positive aspects of life
• Practicing positive self-talk – if your inner voice
tends to be negative, try to make it more positive by talking to yourself as
you would to your best friend
• Making time for self-care – spa days, long hot
baths, spending time with friends and family… whatever makes you feel happy and
content.
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