By Rebecca Jones
Many things can take a toll on your skin as you age; sun damage, smoking, sleepless nights, but one of the biggest culprits when it comes to your skin is stress. Chronic stress can make us appear years older than we actually are. While you can pay hundreds of dollars on specialty creams and serums sometimes the best beauty secrets come from making a change within. Here are just a few of the ways that you can eliminate stress and get glowing beautiful skin.
Breathe Deeply
Often times when we are stressed we end up taking short shallow breaths. Practicing taking deep, slow breathes can deliver far more oxygen to your brain, nerves and organs all of which require oxygen to function properly. Focusing on your breathing also takes your mind off the stressors that trigger feeling of anxiety.
Load up on Lean Protein
Constant stress triggers the production of the hormone cortisol and cortisol makes us hungry. Worse yet cortisol makes us crave all those comfort foods that are high in fat and sugar and terrible for our skin. Loading up on healthy protein like grilled chicken will keep blood sugar levels even and hunger pangs at bay making it easier to pass on the candy bars and ice cream.
Exercise
In reaction to stress, our body prepares us for fight or flight leaving us full of energy that we all too often do not utilize. Exercise not only releases all that pent up energy but boosts white blood cells, reduces stress, boosts spirits and allows you to take in more oxygen. Exercise also increases circulation which allows more nutrients to reach your skin cells and lowers inflammation making exercise the closest thing possible to a fountain of youth for your skin.
Focus on the Positive
Thinking happy thoughts can actually improve the look of your skin; there’s a reason they call them frown lines. Stress makes us focus on the negative and makes things seem worse than they actually are. Try keeping a list of all the things that went well each day and all the things you are grateful for. With practice you can stop all the negative thoughts and worry that so often come with stress.
Cuddle up with Someone You Love
Not only is sex one of the world’s best stress relievers but it unleashes a flood of hormones that are great for your mental and physical well being. Beta-endorphin, the hormone that gives you that happy buzzed feeling and Oxytocin which promotes feelings of intimacy and affection will both give you that radiant healthy glow that is essential for beautiful skin.