Ever noticed during stressful times, your breakouts may increase, skin becomes more sensitive or dryer, psoriasis, rosacea or eczema worsens, or sudden hives and mysterious rash suddenly appears? Stress cause your body to produce cortisol and other hormones, your body goes to fight or flight mode, which tells your sebaceous glands to product more oil and oily skin is prone to acne or additional skin problems.
Stress may also cause:
1. Additional weight gain or lost. You may reach for unhealthy sugary foods, more caffeine, fatty, extra salty or deep fried foods and simple carbs to get that quick high while dealing with stressful situation.
2. May increase alcohol consumption, do recreational drugs, may increase smoking, or other unhealthy or unsafe habits.
3. Stressful times, dealing with skin care may not be your priority, which may increase and aggravate skin problems.
4. Some people may cause temporary hair lost.
5. May cause decrease or increase sleeping patterns.
6. Depression is a huge concern here.
Although it’s impossible to avoid stress, here are tips I’ve personally tried, hope they will help.
1. Take few minutes a day to cleanse and moisturize your skin. Your skin will thank, you, later.
2. Squeeze in 10-15 minutes several times a day to take a walk around the block or to the park.
3. Talk to your BFF.
4. Take time just for YOU!
5. Close your eyes, do easy controlled breathing exercises, meditate, take a yoga class or listen to your favorite music.
6. Get at least 8 hours of sleep, not possilbe? Maybe a catnap mid-afternoon will do wonders.
7. Say NO! It’s OK to set limits and boundaries to lower your stress.
8. If stress is constant, whether dealing with children, co-workers, friends, family, work, finance or just life, know there is a light at the end of the long dark tunnel.
9. Love YOU and give yourself a hug.
10. Sometimes as painful as the stress is, you may just need to walk away from the situation or speak with the person causing your stress.
11. Eat healthy, well balance diet to support your body and skin.
12. Get a massage or spa treatment (this is my favorite)!
13. Watch a funny movie.
14. Volunteering for an animal shelter or retirement center.
15. Take a little trip.
16. Get a pet, the greatest therapy for your soul.
17. Sign up for a gym membership, make sure you go!
18. Start that hobby you’ve wanting to, but never had the time.
19. If stress is too much to deal with alone, find a counselor or life coach to help.
20. Make time to do something you love.
I celebrate the beautiful person you are!