subject: How to Combat Stress-Damaged Skin [print this page] How to Combat Stress-Damaged Skin How to Combat Stress-Damaged Skin
We live in a hectic world, and stress is just a part of our routine. Whether it's traffic jams, deadlines at work or just juggling family schedules and the kids activities, stress can creep up on us. Sometimes our lives are so busy we don't even think we are experiencing any kind of stress, but the evidence is there on our skin and our faces.
Have you noticed your face is showing some redness? Perhaps you're slapping on extra moisturizer because recently your skin has become dry and itchy. Maybe you've had a few acne breakouts or blemishes. Do you wake up in the morning, thinking you've had a good night of sleep, only to be surprised by the bags under your eyes?
Chances are, you've got too much stress in your life.
Stress isn't always a traumatizing event. In fact, many people confuse stress with bad nerves, emotions or anxiety. Stress is actually quite common, and it comes from living a life at an even slightly accelerated pace. There's good stress and then there's bad stress. Good stress can come from excitement or jubilation, while bad stress can come from anger or upset. Your body responds to both about the same.
Stress causes your heart rate to increase and your blood to pump faster. Hence, the redness you see on your face, as blood vessels swell to accommodate the increased blood flow. A good anti-inflammatory cream will keep the swelling and the redness under control.
If you're scratching a lot, your skin is likely dry. Stress triggers your hormones, one of which is cortisol, which inhibits your body from absorbing moisture properly. Make sure you use a moisturizer at least twice a day, and avoid superheated showers and baths, which will make it worse.
Speaking of hormones, stress can make you look like a teenager again. Adult acne is often triggered by stress, so try cleansing with and acne fighting product that contains salicylic acid, followed up by a moisturizer to prevent dry skin.
While you may be sleeping a full eight hours every night, it doesn't mean you're getting a restful sleep. Your mind is always awake, and sometimes you miss out on deep and restful sleep because the brain cannot find a restful thought. Those bags under your eyes are puffiness from poor sleep, but cool teabags or even an ice pack will get them back to normal.
It's okay to have a little stress in your life. In fact, it's natural and normal. But when your body is trying to tell you to slow down, you should listen. Try a little meditation or some deep breathing in a quiet place to regulate your heart rate, reduce your stress levels and balance your hormones.
