Stress is not your friend! We all know it – but how does it specifically affect your skin and face?
Time for a little skin science: Stress causes your body to release larger amounts of certain chemicals, including cortisol, adrenaline and DHEA (which is made by your adrenal glands, and which your body then converts into estrogen or testosterone).
These chemicals are not inherently bad – you'll even find DHEA sometimes called "the youth hormone." However! As with many natural body processes, too much is not a good thing. Elevated levels have some negative effects. For example, your immune system and anti-inflammatory abilities — two things your skin relies on to fight bacteria, acne, and other bad effects — are both lowered by high levels of cortisol. These chemicals can also kick your sebaceous glands into high gear, resulting in overly oily skin.
So how do you manage stress and save your skin?
Personally, we like yoga. Yoga has been proven effective in lowering stress and anxiety.
But there are many known ways to help lower your stress level. And they're all good!
- Moderate, consistent exercise helps manage hormone levels (and obviously your overall health!)
- Getting enough sleep is extremely valuable.
- Eating healthy food and avoiding too much sugar, caffeine and fatty foods – those "guilty pleasures" are short-term fun but long-term leave us feeling worse.
- Meditation and other forms of peaceful relaxation help your mind govern your body.
- Maintain relationships: Quality "face time" really does show on your face!
