4 Easy Ways to De-Stress Your Skin

Meditation

Meditation is having a moment because it works! A study from a Harvard Medical School neuroscientist and assistant professor of psychology showed that mindfulness meditation can change the brain’s gray matter and brain regions linked with memory, sense of self, and emotional regulation (hello, stress!)

Mindfulness meditation has two main parts: attention and acceptance. First, you bring your attention to what’s happening right now in your mind (frazzled thoughts included) and your body. Instead of responding, just acknowledge and accept those feelings without any judgement.

If that sounds hard, don’t worry. Start with trying it for a few seconds every day and work up from there. There are so many free resources and meditation videos online to get started with a little guidance.

Exercise

Anyone who has seen the movie Legally Blonde knows movement helps to lower stress hormone levels and your blood pressure. Aerobic movement that gets your heart rate up (think walking, dancing, and running) increases the oxygen and nutrients that get delivered to cells all over your body, including your skin.

Movement and exercise also produce endorphins, chemicals in your brain that act like natural painkillers, which can help you fall asleep easier at night. Better sleep = less stress.

Healthy Diet

You may have figured out the connection between your food choices and acne, but stress and skin breakouts are another one to look out for. Your body responds to feelings of stress by pumping out more cortisol, the stress hormone. This leads to increased inflammation and more oil production, which can equal acne.

Some research suggests that eating polyunsaturated fats including omega-3 fats (walnuts, flaxseed, and fish are good sources) and vegetables may help to regulate cortisol levels.

Bring in mindfulness here, too. Try to eat your meal without scrolling your phone or watching a show. Stress-eating causes us to eat quickly, often without remember what we ate. Slow down, take deeper breaths, and chew your food slowly to bring your stress levels down.

Self Care

How you define self care is entirely up to you. Big fan of face masking and watching your favorite show? Signing up for a tough workout class to feel strong? Turning your phone on Do Not Disturb to focus on a new hobby? 

We love to find self care in small, daily moments. That feeling when you apply your favorite lip balm flavor. The act of massaging in a rich hand cream or cuticle balm. The loud *psst* of cracking open your go-to flavor of sparkling water.

Making space in the chaos of everyday life to slow down and notice, even just for a few seconds, can make a big impact on your stress levels and your skin.