As 2020 rolls on, it seems like life is only getting more stressful. Between Coronavirus cases rising and employment numbers dropping, it’s not surprising that we’ve become increasingly stressed.
Stress has an incredible impact on your life. In fact, scientists have confirmed that stress can take 2.8 years off your life. That may not sound like much at first glance, but in the grand scheme of things, spending your life stressed causes more harm than good.
Stress can affect everything from your brain chemistry and how you perceive the world, to your immune system, to even your skin. That’s right, your skin reacts not only to outside elements like weather but also how you feel inside. We’re going to look at the different ways stress affects your skin and how you can fix it.
Stress can cause new skin problems to arise
When it comes to your skin, it doesn’t have to be innate or sensitive to experience skin conditions. When stressed, the body produces hormones that make the skin more sensitive and vulnerable. So if you typically have clear, unproblematic skin, and suddenly experience a breakout, that could be why.
For instance, one of the major causes of acne is an overproduction of your skin’s natural oil, sebum. When you’re stressed, your hormone levels shift, specifically the hormone cortisol. Cortisol tells the glands in your skin to produce oil, causing your pores to become clogged and break out. These “stress hormones” can also cause other skin irritations to crop up such as:
- Acne
- Skin sensitivity (to light, temperature, etc.)
- Hives
- Rashes
- Fever Blisters
Stress can irritate existing skin issues
Maybe you didn’t start out with perfectly smooth, acne-free skin. Maybe you’re stressed to high heavens and already have skin problems. Well, stress can greatly irritate existing conditions as well. Like we said before, your skin becomes more sensitive under stress, so conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea become more prominent in the skin.
How can you decrease stress and save your skin?
So far it sounds like stress is your greatest enemy when it comes to having clear, glowing, beautiful skin. Never fear! We have a few tricks up our sleeves to help you de-stress and promote healthy skin.
Continue your routine
How many times have you come home from a stressful day and felt like crawling into bed and not taking off your makeup or washing your face? We’ve all been there. However, it’s important to take extra care of your skin when you’re tired, frustrated, and stressed. Keep up your skincare routine. As pointless as it might feel in the moment, your skin will thank you later. You can see our recommendation for an effective skincare routine here.
Exercise regularly
Exercise a fantastic stress relieving tactic. When you participate in physical activity, your body releases endorphins. Endorphins are a natural pain-relieving chemical that your brain produces. Something as simple as a walk outside can give your mind and body a boost.
Practice stress management techniques
There are a variety of de-stressing techniques you can use to keep your cool and maintain your calm. Here are two of our favorites.
4-7-8 Breathing
This breathing technique is incredibly popular for those suffering from anxiety. It’s fairly simple too! Start with a big breath in for a count of 4. Once you finish the 4 counts, hold that breath for 7. Then, slowly breathe out for a count of 8. Depending on your lung capacity, these numbers can be changed.
Observe and Describe
When you feel your stress becoming overwhelming, it can be difficult to focus on anything other than that trigger. Intentionally shift your focus to the physical world around you. Ask yourself these questions. What do I see? How many are there? What colors or patterns? If you can feel what’s in front of you, is it hard or soft? The more you observe and describe, the less overwhelmed you’ll feel.
There are many techniques you can try, so check out our article How to Practice Grounding Through Anxiety for more.
Set boundaries and say "no"
We often become stressed and overwhelmed by the mountain of responsibilities that we have on our plate. As difficult as it can be, it is important to set boundaries in your life. Learning to say “no” and setting boundaries is not mean. You are looking out for your mental health. Ultimately, if your tank is running on empty, you won’t be able to help anyone else.
Use natural moisturizers
Stress is an issue that you can attack from both sides. In addition to combating the root of your stress, it’s vital to add extra care to your skincare routine. We highly recommend using a natural moisturizer like Aloe Infusion. Packed with natural Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, Grape Seed Oil, and more, this moisturizer there to keep your skin glowing and hydrated no matter what life throws at you.
You can check out Aloe Infusion here! We’ve gone ahead and enclosed a 20% off Coupon below for you to use in the store - remember, you DESERVE to have naturally flawless skin!
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