It’s no secret that stress can play a large role in skin health. After all, our skin is our largest organ and an easy indicator for what’s going on within the body.
Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to the demands of life. A small amount of stress can be good, motivating you to perform well. But multiple challenges daily, such as sitting in traffic, meeting deadlines and paying bills, can push you beyond your ability to cope. Your brain comes hard-wired with an alarm system for your protection. When your brain perceives a threat, it signals your body to release a burst of hormones that increase your heart rate and raise your blood pressure. During our teen years, these hormones are obviously out of control while also perceiving most new experiences as threatening which leads to our excess acne and breakouts during this time in life.
Once the threat is gone, your body is meant to return to a normal, relaxed state. Unfortunately, the nonstop complications of modern life mean that some people’s alarm systems rarely shut off.
Don’t wait until stress damages your health, relationships or quality of life. Start practicing stress management techniques today.
To monitor your stress, first identify your triggers. What makes you feel angry, tense, worried or irritable?
Some stressors, such as job pressures, relationship problems or financial concerns, are easy to identify. But daily hassles and demands, such as waiting in a long line or being late to a meeting, also contribute to your stress level.
Once you’ve identified your stress triggers, think about strategies for dealing with them. Identifying what you can control is a good starting point.
Don’t feel like you have to figure it out on your own. Seek help and support from family and friends, whether you need someone to listen to you, help with child care or give a ride to work when your car’s in the shop.
Many people benefit from practices such as deep breathing, tai chi, yoga, meditation or being in nature. Set aside time for yourself.
Here are our top picks of stress relievers to help you calm the senses:
Get a massage
A massage not only helps relax the body but it also gives your mind a chance to stop thinking and enjoy the peace and quiet. By massaging the muscles, your body releases tension which when left untreated can cause pain or headaches.
Using a hydrating and effective body oil or lotion to massage the skin will also give your skin a glowing complexion! Clear Essence Specialist Body Oil is a great moisturizing oil for massage use not only for its sweet scent and aroma but also because it conditions skin cells for a plump, and supple appearance.
Soak in a bubble bath
Submergence in water can reduce pain and inflammation and also calm the nervous system, reducing the levels of stress and anxiety in the body and improving your mood.
We can enhance this by adding certain oils or salts to a bath. Sweet and calming aromas help to relax the mind even further. Try adding 2-3 cap fulls Clear Essence Sensitive Line Moisturizing Body Oil to running water for even more relaxation.
We also love the idea of added flowers, fruits, and natural plants to your bath water. Not only does it look pretty but the fruit extracts and flowers have their own natural powers.
Try lemon or citrus for skin lightening or chamomile for more aroma and calming effects.
Read a book, dance, listen to music, watch a comedy — whatever helps you relax.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help you manage stress. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep.
Make a conscious effort to spend less time in front of a screen — television, tablet, computer and phone — and more time relaxing.
In Summary
Stress won’t disappear from your life. And stress management needs to be ongoing. But by paying attention to what causes your stress and practicing ways to relax, you can counter some of the bad effects of stress, such as acne and breakouts, and increase your ability to cope with challenges.