Stress Effect on Skin: Stress has become an integral part of our everyday life. Whether it is workload, ups and downs in personal relationships or financial worries, stress affects both our physical and mental health. And it is not limited to this only, stress also has a deep impact on our skin. Let us know how and in what ways it can be avoided.

When we are under stress, the level of a hormone called cortisol increases in our body. Cortisol is a stress hormone that prepares the body for danger. However, increased levels of cortisol over a long period of time can be harmful to the skin.

How does stress affect the skin?

• Acne- Stress activates the sebaceous glands i.e. oil producing glands to produce more oil, which increases the risk of acne.
• Eczema and psoriasis – Stress can aggravate symptoms of these skin conditions and trigger flare-ups.
• Dryness of skin- Stress reduces the moisture of the skin, making it dry and rough.
• Early skin ageing – Cortisol breaks down collagen and elastin, which are responsible for the elasticity and strength of the skin. This leads to early appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
• Skin inflammation – Stress promotes inflammation, which leads to redness and swelling in the skin.
• Shrinking of the blood vessels of the skin- Stress shrinks the blood vessels, due to which the skin does not get enough oxygen and nutrients. This makes the skin look dull.
• Wounds do not heal quickly – Stress slows down the skin’s repair process, which can lead to wounds not healing quickly and increases the risk of developing stretch marks.

Therefore, it is important that we control stress. If your lifestyle or work is such that there is a lot of stress, then you should take special care.

In what ways can stress be managed?

• Meditation- Meditation helps to calm the mind and reduce stress.
• Yoga- Yoga is a physical and mental practice that helps in reducing stress and relaxing the body.
• Deep Breathing- Deep breathing helps reduce stress and regulate blood pressure .
• Healthy Diet- Taking a balanced diet provides the body with essential nutrients and keeps the skin healthy.
• Get enough sleep- Getting enough sleep relaxes the body and reduces stress.
• Regular exercise – Exercise reduces stress and increases the level of endorphins in the body , which work as natural pain relievers.