When it comes to healthy glowing skin, it is imperative to maintain a routine to protect your skin against harmful external irritants, and in addition, we need to take care of our skin from the inside out. Stress, anxiety, and hormonal changes are just some internal factors that can have an impact on our skin, leaving our largest organ vulnerable to inflammation, redness, sensitivity, and more.
In this article, we will explore how stress in particular is affecting your skin and unveil some excellent tips to combat these unwanted conditions head-on.
How stress is affecting your skin: The truth unveiled
Stress is a natural response to challenging or life-threatening situations, yet today experiencing chronic stress due to our job, lifestyle, and other outside influences is not uncommon. Stress affects our body in so many ways, contributing to many illnesses, but did you know that stress affects your skin too? The skin is the largest organ in the body and science proves that the cortisol that is released when we are experiencing a stressful situation can wreak havoc on the skin.
In addition to weakening the skin’s protective barrier, stress can also worsen conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and even acne. High levels of cortisol can also lead to the sebaceous glands producing more oil, which can cause blocked pores and excess oiliness, which can be hard to manage topically. Research has shown that prolonged stress is linked to hair loss, premature aging, and flare-ups in pre-existing skin conditions. In addition, the best way to treat these skin conditions is not expensive over-the-counter magic potions, it is adopting a form of stress management, which can work wonders when followed.
Stress is affecting your skin and this is how to manage it
Let’s face it, avoiding stress completely is not always possible but there are some excellent ways to manage it. Proven examples include maintaining a work-life balance, incorporating wellness and relaxation techniques, getting support from others when you are feeling overwhelmed, and maintaining a consistent skincare routine. Research has shown that managing stress with relaxation techniques and meditation, helps psoriasis, while developing healthy lifestyle habits will help to regulate stress hormones in the body.
Wound healing slows down
In addition to what we have already discovered regarding the effects of stress on the skin, it is important to note that psychological stress can also slow down wound healing by up to 40%. If we develop skin conditions like acne, which we notice is taking time to disappear, this may be one of the reasons why. Along with the release of cortisol, the secretion of histamine can also contribute to inflammation as well as itchiness and redness, so we must manage stress head-on, to prevent unwanted and uncomfortable skin conditions.
Now that you understand how stress is really affecting your skin and contributing to various conditions, it is time to focus on a health and wellness routine that we can depend on and our skin will reap the rewards.
