The Unattractive Side Of Stress
Imagine if you didn’t have to live by a packed schedule, you had enough money for everything you wanted, your job was constantly stable and your relationships were always peaceful. Life without stress would blissful, wouldn’t it?
As reality would have it, though, stress is almost omnipresent in most of our lives. When it’s low, and things are running somewhat smoothly, it’s not a major problem. But when stress is high - during the holidays, when there are big demands on your time, relationships and wallet, or after something life changing, such as a job-loss or divorce - it has the potential to harm your health. It can also upset your appearance, affecting the vitality of your skin, hair and nails. For how stress can be a beauty-buster, and for tips on how to relax so you look and feel better, read on.
Stressing out your appearance
The extent to which stress disrupts your looks isn’t exactly clear. It can unleash many physiological responses in the body that may, in turn, trigger itching and flare ups of skin conditions, worsen breakouts or promote hair loss. “Patients under stress also tend to neglect or abuse their skin. For example, they often lack the energy and motivation to adhere to their skin care regimens, and there also might be signs of stress-related behaviours, such as scratching, pulling or rubbing, that can exacerbate problems,” says the American Academy of Dermatology.
Here are a few things that can happen during life’s demanding times.
Psoriasis and eczema: No doubt about it, stress has an effect on psoriasis. Ditto for eczema. But it isn’t the cause of either condition. Rather, stress may act as a trigger, encouraging flare-ups and intensifying symptoms. If tension is upsetting your eczema, try soothing your skin with Avène TriXera+ Selectiose Emollient Cleansing Gel and Avène TriXera+ Selectiose Emollient Cream. For more info on psoriasis and eczema, click here.
Acne: If you’re prone to pimples, stress may make you breakout more. “When I do a clinics at university before exams, I often see that acne gets worse,” says Dr. Richard Thomas, a dermatologist in Vancouver. He adds that may be because students stop applying their medication routinely, but also suspects that stress itself is enough to trigger more blemishes. To help calm down and clear up your tension-related breakouts, try Avène Cleanance (an exfoliating, absorbing and cleansing mask).
Hair loss: Telogen effluvium - a condition in which hair is shed very quickly - is often triggered by stressful events such as crash diets, major surgery and childbirth, reports The Canadian Hair Research Foundation. Typically, hair grows for five or six years, says Thomas, then falls out and another hair grows in its place. Normally, this process has us shedding about five percent of our hair at any given time. With telogen effluvium, the number increases to 10 to 15 percent, he says. So, you might be losing about 300 hairs a day. While the condition occurs for several months on end, it usually rectifies itself.
Nails: Stress-related behaviours are usually behind the decline of gorgeous nails. Nail biting is a common one, as is cuticle picking. The latter can come with some sore and unsightly consequences. “The cuticle is there for a reason: it seals the area around the nails and if you make it disappear, water, yeast and bacteria get in there and you get some swelling around the proximal end of the nail, and then your nails grow out bumpy,” says Thomas.
Stress solutions
When you manage stress well, it has a lesser chance of taking a toll on your appearance and health. Here are a few simple things to do to help you chill out.
Eat well, sleep and play: A nutritious diet, as outlined by Canada’s Food Guide, is important to keep your body and immune system strong, so it can better handle stress, says Healthy Ontario. Getting enough sleep - seven to eight hours are recommended - is also key. As well, make time for your hobbies, especially when you’re stressed. Doing activities you love gives you a mental break from stress, and provides distance from problems, so they’re easier to solve, says Health Canada.
Breathe deeply: This helps you relax and calms your nervous system, and it’s easy to incorporate into your busy schedule. “Set a reminder on your phone or computer to go off every hour,” says Michelle Doyle, a certified yoga instructor in Toronto and owner of MD Yoga. “When that reminder goes off, take 10 deep breaths. It takes less than a total of five minutes out of your day and you will notice a definite difference in your stress levels.” To perform deep breathing, put a hand just under your belly button. Slowly inhale, expanding your belly with air (your hand should rise), then expanding your lower ribs, finally expanding your upper ribs. To exhale, slowly deflate your belly, then your lower ribs, then your upper ribs.
Yoga: Exercise of any kind is a great stress-buster. Yoga is particularly helpful, as it incorporates deep breathing, encourages quieting of the mind and stretches the muscles to release toxins and tension, says Doyle. For the best results, she recommends practicing yoga three to four times a week. If you’re new to yoga, try a beginners’ class at a studio, where the instructor will ensure you’re doing the poses correctly and safely. There are also many excellent instructional DVDs that you can get for at-home practice.
Meditation: “When you have a stress-filled life, you can sometimes feel that you don’t have any control over your mind,” says Doyle. Meditation helps put the breaks on a racing brain, encouraging your mind to become more calm and, thus, peaceful. Here, Doyle reveals how to do a basic mediation. Start with five minutes a day, gradually building up to about 30 minutes.
1. In a quiet area free of distractions, sit cross-legged with your hands resting on your knees, palms facing the ceiling. Keep your spine tall but not stiff. Close your eyes or keep them slightly open and cast down.
2. Now coordinate your breath with your thoughts. On the inhale, concentrate on taking in the things you need, such as patience, peace and relaxation. On the exhale, focus on releasing whatever is weighing you down, such as anxiety, irritability and stress. Continue to do this for the duration of your meditation.
