April is Stress Awareness Month. If you usually push your stress aside and figure you’ll get over it, this is the month to stop doing that. It’s time to acknowledge that everyone has stress. But every person experiences different levels of stress, different types of stress, and stress can affect your body in different ways.
If you’re someone who has sensitive skin, you might notice that stress shows up on your skin before you even realize how stressed out you are. If you pay attention, you can use your face and skin to help you stay on top of your stress levels. Even better, you can learn to recognize stress before it shows up on your skin, which will make it easier to keep your skin looking fresh, youthful, and healthy.
How stress affects your skin
When you’re stressed out, your body goes into stress mode and reacts in various ways. It instantly releases stress hormones. With short-term stress, such as being startled by something, your body returns to normal when the perceived threat is gone. With long-term stress, such as stress over your job, health, or financial concerns, the stress becomes chronic and can cause a host of problems.
When it comes to your skin, those outward signs of stress include:
♦ Acne
♦ Bags under your eyes
♦ More fine lines and wrinkles
♦ Reduced elasticity of your skin
♦ Uneven pigmentation
♦ Rashes
The bad news is that you most likely have a combination of symptoms, and they work together to make you look tired and older than you might feel. You might even begin to look unhealthy, which can eventually add to your stress.
Stress habits that affect your skin
Before those effects of stress begin to show up on your skin, those who know you best may be able to see you’re stressed out. That’s because many people have a “tell.” You know, like in poker, when you can tell that someone is bluffing. Stress can bring out similar facial reactions. Maybe you grind your teeth, squint your eyes, furrow your brow, etc.
Repeatedly expressing these stress reactions can weaken the muscle structure in that area and cause wrinkles. Over time, you might develop a permanent scowl. And that’s not all. Some people chew on their lips when they’re stressed or pick at their skin. This can actually cause permanent damage.
Boost skin health and ward off stress
We’ve got some great tips that will help you relieve stress, but first – your skin. Creating a fantastic skincare routine that supports skin health will get you through the good times and the bad. You want to add moisture, nourishment and brighten dull and aging skin on a regular basis. The Simple Beauty Bundle can help make the routine easier. It’s the perfect skincare experience through science and the harmony of nature.
The Beauty Bundle gives you four products that you’ll want to use every day. The results will leave your skin looking healthier, more youthful and give it a fresh glow. In times of stress, these products fight the effects of stress hormones.
♦ Daily Purifying Cleanser. Active components of chamomile extract prompt the skin’s healing process while helping it absorb antioxidants.
♦ Fine Line Eye Serum. Natural ingredients that encourage circulation and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and bags.
♦ Skin-Brightening Spot Corrector. An extract from mushrooms fades skin discoloration.
♦ Age-Defying Retinol Moisturizer. AQUAXYL™ adds hydration to your skin and reduces damage to the skin barrier caused by stress.
Tips for relieving stress
How do you avoid the damaging effects of stress on your skin and the rest of your body? The first step is to recognize and acknowledge your stress. Pretending stress doesn’t happen or that you don’t have it isn’t doing anybody any favors.
The next step is to figure out what is causing your stress. Is it something you can remove from your life or get help with? Maybe you’re spreading yourself too thin or need help planning a budget?
Then, try different stress-relieving techniques and see which ones work for you. You’ll probably find that a few of them are just what your body, mind, and soul need. You might find that you like different ones at different moments. They can even inspire you to come up with your own stress relievers. But these are a few of our favorites.
♦ Laugh
♦ Exercise
♦ Clean
♦ Sing
To put it simply
Stress is something that shouldn’t be ignored or brushed aside. You also shouldn’t be ashamed that you have stress. Everyone has stress at certain points in their lives. It can be short-term stress or a long-term situation. Short-term stress is an evolutionary part of life that helps keep you alive. Whereas long-term stress can become chronic and cause health problems, and it can wreak havoc on your skin.
By being proactive and following a healthy, nature-based skincare routine, you set yourself up for success. It’s also a good way to prepare for the ravages of stress on the surface. And the Simple Beauty Bundle is the perfect skincare experience that will leave your skin looking healthier in times of stress.
Take your stress success to the next level by finding a few stress-fighting techniques that can help you cut down on the stress you feel and manage it better. Pairing a great skincare routine and stress-relieving techniques with an awareness of stress gives you a proactive approach that will pay off with better-looking skin.