Life is busy, and stress is inevitable. Whether you are worried about work deadlines, paying the bills, planning your child’s 9th birthday party, or contemplating whether your mother-in-law should visit or not …. stress happens.
But did you know: stress is a killer, and it is terrible for our health and our skin! It is also impossible to live an entirely stress-free life, but it IS possible to combat stress and reverse its effects on your largest organ.
Let’s dive in!
What Is Stress?
Stress is a state of heightened concern or mental strain triggered by challenging circumstances. It is a natural human reaction designed to prompt us to tackle the hurdles and dangers that come our way. Stress is something virtually everyone encounters to varying extents.
Why Is Stress Bad For Our Skin?
The toll of stress on our skin’s ageing process is significant. Stress hormones dismantle the collagen and elastin crucial for skin elasticity and disrupt its rejuvenation process, accelerating the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Moreover, stress adversely affects hair health, leading to thinning and hair loss.
What Are The Physical Signs Of Stress On Our Skin?
Stress can aggravate psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema. It can also cause hives and other skin rashes and trigger a flare-up. Other physical signs of stress include:
- Dealing with bothersome skin issues.
- Struggling with disrupted sleep patterns.
- Suffering from persistent aches and pains.
- Battling constant headaches and dizziness.
- Enduring tense muscles and jaw clenching.
What Issues Can Arise If You Ignore The Effects Stress Can Have On Your Skin?
Ignoring your stress-related skin issues can lead to worsening conditions.
Your skin is highly susceptible to conditions that can exacerbate untreated stress-related problems. For instance, if you are experiencing acne due to anxiety and neglect it, you may actually end up with permanent skin damage, to name but one.
How Can You Combat Stress?
According to the American Psychological Association, 27% of Americans said they were so stressed they had trouble functioning in 2022. About 75% of Americans blamed stress for physical issues such as headaches, extreme fatigue, nausea, and feelings of anxiety and depression.
In 2018, a study done in the UK showed that 74% of Britons have felt so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope, with about 46% reporting that they ate too much or ate unhealthily due to stress.
But brace yourself, as 36% of British women who felt high levels of stress, related it to their comfort with their appearance and body image, compared to only 23% of British men.
So, how to combat the cause of these shocking statistics? Firstly, you need to identify WHAT is causing you stress. Is it work? Is it family? Is it your mother-in-law? Is it finances?
Then combat it by working out, eating well, enjoying a decent night’s sleep, practising yoga, and/or doing what you love to recharge. Be it gardening, painting, or cooking.
How Can You Recover Your Skin From The Effects Of Stress?
Firstly, please maintain your skincare routine. Wash, cleanse, love, moisturise, treat and repeat.
Increase your uptake and intake of hydrating nutrients like drinking water and eating water-rich foods like watermelons, cucumbers, bell peppers, broccoli, etc.
Turn back the hands of time with a non-surgical aesthetic treatment. Discuss your options and concerns with your dermatologist/aesthetician, and make it happen. YOU DESERVE IT.
Exercise, exercise, exercise. Regular exercise is so good for your skin and the rest of your body. Take time to do something you enjoy, even if you only have 10 minutes to walk around the block, jog around town, or run a marathon to the neighbouring city and back. DO WHAT YOU LOVE and exercise.
Remember, when we exercise, our blood gets pumped throughout our body, giving our heart muscles a good workout while circulating blood and oxygen. This boost in blood flow during exercise does not just benefit us while we are active, but it continues to improve circulation even when we are at rest. This means that all our body’s cells, including our skin cells, get nourished by this increased blood flow, resulting in improved vitality and more efficient cellular repair and replacement. Yes, please, and thank you.
YOGA! You would not believe the benefits breathing can have on your skin health. Mastering the art of proper breathing sets the foundation for healthy skin. Engaging in a simple pranayama practice daily can work wonders in firming and tightening the skin. Additionally, it has the potential to enhance collagen production and diminish the appearance of fine lines. Although halting the ageing process is out of reach, we can exert some control and delay it to a certain extent. Yoga emerges as a potent tool in reversing the signs of ageing, tackling concerns such as wrinkles, sagging skin, crow’s feet, and fine lines.
Harness the Power of Anti-Wrinkle Injectables. Stress-related wrinkles and signs can be effectively addressed with anti-wrinkle injectables. These treatments target specific facial muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles caused by stress-induced facial expressions. By relaxing these muscles, anti-wrinkle injectables smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, restoring a youthful and refreshed appearance to your skin.
Whether it’s frown lines between the eyebrows or crow’s feet around the eyes, anti-wrinkle injectables offer a non-invasive solution to combat stress-related signs of ageing.
To Boil It Down
In the hustle and bustle of life, stress is an inevitable companion. But beyond being just a mental burden, stress wreaks havoc on our skin.
Understanding the detrimental impact stress has on our largest organ is the first step towards combating it. Stress takes a visible toll, from disrupting collagen and elastin production to exacerbating existing skin conditions. Yet, ignoring these signs can lead to further complications and permanent damage.
In essence, while stress may be an unavoidable part of life, it does not have to dictate the fate of our skin. By adopting a proactive approach and embracing self-care practices, we can reclaim control over our skin health and thrive amidst life’s challenges.
Remember (and never forget) that a happier, healthier you begins with prioritising your well-being, inside and out.
