Stressed Out? It's Showing

[Guest guest]

Another good article on skin issues. I was very intrigued to see that high

blood sugars really age the skin. Never knew that. Lots of good stuff in

this article. Also how stress raises so many things in our bodies.

Judy

http://tinyurl.com/2e5t4b

 

 

 

In recent years, the medical community has grown increasingly aware of the

effect stress has on health - from the toll it can take on your heart, for

example, to its role in weight gain. Well guess what: Stress can do a number

on your skin, too!

When you feel stress, your body's level of cortisol (a.k.a. stress hormone)

goes up, which can raise your blood sugar. Higher blood sugar levels are, in

turn, associated with increased skin aging, as sugar molecules attack your

skin's collagen and elastin.

 

Acne can also result from high blood sugar levels. Your levels of

epinephrine (a.k.a. adrenaline) also rise when you're in stressful

situations. That particular hormone is associated with decreased blood flow

to the skin, which can make your complexion appear dull and give you dark

circles under the eyes.

 

Moreover, studies have shown that together, these hormonal changes impair

your skin barrier - that is, the layer of fatty acids that protect you from

outside irritants and help your skin hold onto moisture.

 

As a result, you may experience dry skin, redness, and inflammation, or

increased susceptibility to rashes and allergic reactions.

 

Of course, it's probably not feasible to quit your job or cut back on your

family responsibilities, but there are things that you can do to minimize

the toll that day-to-day stress takes on your complexion:

 

a.. Get enough shut-eye: You need at least seven hours of sleep a night to

regulate cortisol levels. (Also, try to avoid substituting caffeine and

other stimulants for sleep.)

b.. Eat right: A balanced diet, low in sugar, will help regulate the

increased sugar levels stress can cause. And remember, sugar isn't found

only in candy - refined carbohydrates and potatoes, for example, are quickly

converted to sugar after you eat them.

c.. Reduce inflammation: If your skin becomes red or inflamed, look for

soothing ingredients like chamomile, feverfew, sulfur, and salicylic acid.

Omega-3 fatty acids, available in supplements and through your diet, can

also help bolster your skin barrier and prevent irritation.

d.. Make time for yourself: Exercise, meditation, and deep breathing have

all been shown to reduce stress. The scent of lavender can also slow brain

waves and calm the mind - time to draw yourself a bubble bath or invest in

some fragrant hand lotion!