We all get stressed from time to time, but some of use are pretty stressed out a lot of the time. In addition to being harmful for your physical and mental health, chronic stress can also do a number on your skin. Simply understanding the impact can often motivate you to make changes to improve your stress levels and get better skin. Here's what stress is doing to your skin and how you can deal with it.
Do you tend to pick at your skin when you're feeling stressed out? You definitely aren't alone if you do. You might even be picking without noticing it until you're bleeding. The truth is that picking at your skin can lead to acne, irritation, redness and even infections if you break the skin. That in turn can cause scars on your skin. Make an effort to occupy your hands with something else when you're stressed so that you aren't tempted to pick at your skin.
Stress causes many ladies to reach for unhealthy snacks as a way to provide comfort. If you find yourself shoveling in cupcakes, chips or other junk when you're super stressed out, you are essentially depriving your body of nutrients, which can show up by causing skin issues. The great news is that if you reach for healthy foods, you can restore your lustrous skin and combat stress at the same time. Vegetables, anyone?
When your skin gets dull, it naturally looks unhealthy, pale and maybe even dry and flaky. When you're under a lot of stress, you could be dealing with these issues. Of course, you should be trying to de-stress whenever possible, but be sure you're also sticking to a healthy skincare routine, getting enough exercise each day and drinking plenty of water.
Stress itself doesn't cause acne, but it can activate hormones in your body that lead to breakouts. It can also lead to excess oil production from your adrenal glands, which leads to clogged pores and pimples. In addition to good stress relief techniques, be sure you are using a gentle facial cleanser and that you're moisturizing a couple of times each day.
Most women are trying to ward off fine lines and wrinkles for as long as possible. Turns out that being stressed out can make the signs of aging occur faster. Stress alters your DNA, which can lead to aging and sagging. Drinking lots of water and getting plenty of sleep can fight the signs of aging and help you battle stress at the same time.
When your body is overloaded by stress, it can sometimes manifest by turning your skin kind of pale with a yellowish tint. The best way to take care of this problem, other than taking a break and alleviating your stress, is to drink lots of water, fit in a workout on a daily basis and eat plenty of vegetables to fill your body with nutrients.
Again, stress itself isn't causing those dark circles, but if your lack of sleep is caused by stress, you could be waking up looking less than refreshed. Simply getting to bed a little bit earlier can take care of your stress and your puffy eyes so make a habit out of getting 7 to 9 hours each night. If you do have a late night, use a gentle eye cream to combat dark circles and puffy eyes.
Are you super stressed out? How do you relieve your stress and take care of your skin?