If winter has the blues, then autumn's sure has its doldrums. As soon
as Halloween candy hits the shelves, it's off to the races with the
hectic haze of the holiday season—cue stress, cue breakouts. Anxiety can
suck on a surface level, but according to dermatologist and stress/skin
expert Howard Murad, M.D., studies show that stress goes even deeper,
releasing neuropathies (nerve dysfunctions) which can damage cellular
membrane, break down our connective tissue, and cause a load of other
problems which eventually end up on your face. Nothing's worth your skin
sanity, so bear these stress management tips in mind whenever you're
feeling a little mentally and facially flustered.
NUTRITION FIRST
When you replace a diet rich in whole foods and grains with highly
processed foods, you're essentially giving the stress hormone cortisol a
green light to skyrocket. A body in equilibrium needs the right
nutrients and even a dose of good fats. "About two-thirds of our brains
are composed of fat, and the protective sheath around communicating
neurons is 70 percent fat," notes Dr. Murad. Get your share from omega-3
rich salmon, walnuts, flax seed, and olives. And whatever you do, don't
skip breakfast—caffeine alone doesn't count.
UNPLUG AND CONNECT
"There’s an odd duality to being attached to machines that allow us
to connect with others around the world in an instant," remarks Dr.
Murad. And he's right—the internet is both a blessing and burden, a
habit-forming stream of LOLcats and crux of relationships. Keep things
in balance, and your skin will follow suit: take time in the week to
turn off the phone, have a potluck with your friends, or finally pull
out that book you've been aching to read.
20 MINUTES OF FITNESS A DAY—JUST DO IT.
We'll never get tired of hearing workout advice. "Exercising
regularly nourishes the skin with oxygen while sweating flushes out
toxins, and it also improves digestion, metabolism, and endocrine
function," says Dr. Murad. We're not asking you to try for a
half-marathon or sign up at a fancy gym. Your complexion will
immediately reap the benefits of a 20-minute walk, an at-home dance
session (highly recommended) or basic resistance training—whatever it takes to get you moving.
GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
Whether utterly trashy television or an indulgent hobby, often times
we feel ashamed for satisfying our guilty pleasures—stop that behavior!
Life is short and life is fun. Work hard, feel accomplished, and if you
want to splurge on that lipstick or get your
Real Housewives on? Well, no one's stopping you.
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