Stress! Stress! Stress! Stressssssed! Just typing or reading these words increases my anxiety levels and evokes so many emotions. Stress seems unavoidable these days and pretty much non stop post covid and while excessive stress does not necessarily translate to mental health disorders, stress levels of cortisol in the skin caused by stress have been shown to adversely affect the skin. So if you want to keep your skin in check , managing your stress is increasingly important.
Lets dive deeper.
The Effect of Stress on Skin
Stress hormones alter multiple biological pathways in the body, andt the skin and hair usually shows the first and immediate responses to stress.., Dermatological research over the years confirms that stress can aggravate widespread skin disorders such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, alopecia, itch and erythema. Here are some common skin conditions and how they are affected by stress.
Acne
Short-term stress causes proliferation and differentiation of sebaceous glands, which increases sebum production, creating new acne lesions and exacerbating existing acne.
Barrier function
Stress causes immediate disruptions to the skin by increasing Trans-epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) and decreasing water retention, leading to impaired barrier function. Upon further study, a decrease in ceramide levels and increased inflammation were discovered in stressed skins. This resulted in delayed barrier recovery, leading to some exfoliation and slight wrinkle formation. These effects can multiply with chronic stress.
Wound healing
Stress caused by anxiety, depression and difficult life hurdles has shown a 20% increase in the time taken for a dermal wound to heal.
The Psychological Impact of Skin Conditions
It is no surprise that skin disorders cause intense distress, as the skin is the most noticeable feature of the body. In a recent study, participants with skin diseases reported higher level of loneliness and showed higher likelihood of depressive symptoms, isolation and lower quality of life.
Managing our stress levels is key for healthy body, mind and skin.
Tips for Managing Stress and Improving Skin Health
To maintain a healthy balance between mental and skin health, consider the following strategies:
- Mindfulness and Relaxation: Practices like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress levels and promote a sense of calm.
- Regular Exercise: Physical activity is a great way to relieve stress and improve overall health, including skin health.
- Healthy Diet: A balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can support both mental and skin health.
- Adequate Sleep: Getting enough rest is crucial for the body's recovery process, including skin regeneration.
- Skin Care Routine (and other self-care routines): Establishing a gentle and consistent skin care routine can help manage skin conditions and improve the skin's appearance.
How Journaling Can Help?
At Sachi Skin, we take an interconnected approach, believing that skin health is synonymous with mental health. This belief led us to create the States of Change AM/PM Daily Journal after 2 years of studying the best prompts and questions to ask to bring transformational change and calm. The States of Change journal is designed to guide you towards a positive mental and emotional state leading to better and happier days ahead.
So our take away for you today is in addition to the amazing skincare you have propped at your bedside do look at other interconnected ways from nutrition to mind wellness techniques that can you and your skin towards balanced living. We are always here if you need to ping us with any questions to guide you towards better skin days!
Happy journaling until we next speak! we truly advocate a multi pronged approach to skin and if you haven’t tried journal.
Disclaimer: Please note none of the above constitutes medical advice. Always seek medical advice if you have any concerns or are looking to treat a medical condition.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4082169/
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0244765
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/02/cover-skin
