Stress And Anxiety Are Affecting Your Skin - How to Manage It
Feeling stressed out and anxious can become noticeable when you look in the mirror. Both can impact the health of your skin.
Are you feeling tired, overwhelmed, short on time? Have you noticed dark circles or bags under your eyes? Maybe a new rash, some hair loss? Chronic stress can negatively impact your health in a variety of ways. Physiological changes can lead to high blood pressure, headaches, and fatigue. But stress can also effect the appearance of your hair, nails and skin. Anxiety is known to trigger production of the stress hormone cortisol. This changes your skin pores and increases skin oil production. Pores become clogged by the oil, bacteria fasters and acne begins to form.
The good news is there is a lot in your control to help manage stress, anxiety and skin conditions. We offer various solutions and treatments or self-pampering at home with our products.
Signs of stress and anxiety on your skin:
acne and skin rashes
burning or itching skin
eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea flare-ups
hair loss or oilier hair
hives and red bumps
dandruff, redness, and flaking of the scalp
delayed wound healing
dermatitis
dry skin, hair, and nails
fever blisters and cold sores
fine lines and wrinkles, especially frown and forehead lines
nails that stop growing become brittle or peel
under-eye bags and dark circles
Stress often kicks off a negative feedback loop. If you’re stressed, you’re more likely to neglect self-care or stay awake at night ruminating. Perhaps you get lax on your exercise and skincare routines. Skipping out on washing your face at night or drinking too much coffee can further aggravate skin issues.
Follow theSe self-care tips for stress-related skin conditions
Stick to your skincare routine, even when you’re stressed. Keep it simple. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser morning and night, use moisturizer with sunscreen. Setting a reminder on your phone is a helpful way staying on task.
Schedule regular exercise. Find something you enjoy doing, whether that’s cycling, hiking, or online group fitness classes. Add in some gentle yoga, and meditation to keep you focused and relaxed. Bonus: Those feel-good workout hormones will elevate your energy, mood, and outlook on life.
Practice regular stress management activities, including deep breathing, mindfulness, daily affirmations, and journaling.
Be mindful of your diet. Avoid alcohol, nicotine, sweets, highly processed foods, and known food allergens. Focus on eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, good fats, and antioxidant-rich foods.
Take time for yourself to relax and unwind. Get your steps in by taking a nightly walk around the block or enjoy a calming bath. Read a good book, listen to music or a compelling podcast, or splurge on a massage.
Keep a regular sleep schedule. Stress can make you look tired and unwell, but so can lack of sleep. Proper sleep can elevate mood, cognition and will help you cope with daily stressors. Aim for 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. Consider downloading a meditation or mindfulness app to help you unwind and unplug before bed. Turn off social media and your electronics an hour or two before bed.
Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water helps flush toxins from the body and keeps your skin hydrated. Avoiding alcohol and excessive amounts of caffeine will help your state of hydration as well.
Honor yourself and your commitments, but learn to say no so you can establish healthy boundaries. You don’t get extra points foe checking e-mail 24/7 or volunteering for every carpool for the kids. Avoid overbooking or overextending yourself. This only creates additional stress. Make sure you find time for at least one thing you enjoy.
Engage a trusted friend or find a therapist to talk to, especially when your mental health is suffering. If you’re stressed about work, your marriage, money, or even your chronic skin condition, it never hurts to seek professional help. You may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy and other stress-reduction techniques to help you cope during high-stress periods.
Our team is here to help you relax and treat yourself to a skin treatment. At Liliway Holistic Studio, we understand that finding a skincare routine that works for you can be challenging, but with our help you can achieve a healthy looking skin. To learn more about what we offer and to get started on your holistic wellness journey, schedule your consultation.