Stress and Its Affect On Your Skin

Is stress stressing your skin out? When we experience stress our skin is both a target and a source of stress hormones. This can have several adverse affects on the skin such as inflammation, infection and irritation. Understanding how stress affects your body can help you to incorporate effective practices that can help to reduce stress and improve mental, emotional and physical health. This also includes skin health, as well.

The Effects of Stress

The skin is the body's largest organ. What happens within your body often reflects through the condition of your skin. Stress can negatively impact the condition of your skin in a variety of ways. It can slow down or decrease wound healing, increase inflammation, increase cortisol release and oil production within skin glands causing acne out breaks and trigger skin condition flare ups related to eczema, psoriasis, stress rashes (hives), rosacea, vitiligo and alopecia. In addition, stress can have a significant impact on the aging of your skin. Stress hormones have the potential to break down collagen and elastin in the skin, which can cause the process of aging to speed up resulting in wrinkles and fine lines. Stress can also have a negative impact on hair and nails resulting in thinning of hair, hair loss and brittle nails.

Signs of Stress

Acute stress is a short term, natural human response resulting in worry or mental tension caused by a specific event or situation perceived as traumatic or threatening. Chronic stress is a consistent sense of feeling mentally overwhelmed and pressured over a lengthy period of time. Acute and chronic stress can be caused by constant deadline pressures, high expectations or demands, a dysfunctional family or marriage, financial problems, traumatic physical harm or a deeply dissatisfying job. Some symptoms or signs of stress could include muscle aches or pains, constant headaches, insomnia or sleeplessness, chest pains, high blood pressure, change in social behavior, low energy or fatigue, change in appetite, unfocused thinking, increased alcohol or drug use, change in emotional responses to others, emotional withdrawal, feeling like you have to keep busy, overwhelming sadness, feeling helpless or hopeless and constantly worrying.

Managing Stress and Skincare

Managing acute and chronic stress responses through the use of various mind body practices as well as other techniques can help to reduce stress symptoms and adverse skin conditions. Some of these techniques include meditation, visualization, acupuncture, sound therapy, breath work, Tai Chi ( Qigong), Yoga, aromatherapy, massage therapy, restful sleep, prioritizing mental health, the use of adaptogens, consuming an anti-inflammatory diet, regular hydration, exercise and a regular skin care routine. In addition to these stress reducing practices, incorporating natural herbal skincare products created to reduce inflammation and tension, such as our collection of herbal soaps and magnesium moisturizers, can also be a tremendous benefit to managing negative affects of stress on the skin and body.

A Holistic Skincare Approach

As you navigate your way through daily stressors in the form of sudden changes, demands and responsibilities, it is important to find balance within your everyday life. This balance should not only be sought in your everyday experiences, but also within your everyday skin care routine. Taking a more natural and holistic approach towards your daily skin care can help you to effectively reduce influences that negatively impact your skin. Understanding that your skin is impacted by external and internal influences can help you to achieve this goal. We invite you to view our collection of herbal soaps and magnesium moisturizers as you continue your stress free, natural skin care healing journey.

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