An increase in stress hormones can cause all sorts of changes. Worsened acne can be 1, as well as weight gain and an increase in blood pressure. Stress increases the amount of oil your skin secretes, which causes blocked pores, which we all know results in acne.
Even with no scientific evidence, it’s usually easy to tell that stress can worsen acne. After a stressful day, our skin suffers.
It is necessary to control your stress, not just to improve the condition of your skin but to improve your overall health.
Potential Causes of stress
- A lifestyle that is too hectic
- Feeling Overwhelmed
- Anxiety about an event
- A Lack of Sleep
- General emotional issues
- Smoking/Alcohol/Caffeine
- Large Workload
These are all points that can cause you to be stressed. It might also be some thing as silly as a long queue that can cause you to become stressed. Some people are just not as good at dealing with stress as others.
If you find that your acne outbreaks are connected to certain events such as exams, moving to a new place or any sort of important event, then it’s possible that your outbreaks are stress related, or at least effected by how stressed you are.
So we know that stress might increase the oiliness of your skin and worsen your acne, but how could we reduce this stress?
Well it’s easier said than done, but the first thing you need to do is acknowledge that you're stressed. This is the most crucial part in dealing the issue. Usually, by realizing that you're stressed, and reminding yourself to be positive can decrease your stress levels. If you're feeling tense, then you should try to relax your body. If your body is relaxed, then it will help your mind relax too.
Taking a break is also 1 basic change that might help minimize stress levels. Life is stressful but a couple of minutes is all it takes to make the difference. Be sure to give yourself 5 minutes of “me time” every day. You could just lay in bed, sit in your car or go for a walk.
Exercise can also help with stress. Go for a run or do any sort of workout 2 or 3 times as week and you will feel much better for it.
Cutting down on the amount of caffeine you drink can also help with stress. Many people now rely on coffee to function throughout the day. Consuming too much caffeine can increase your stress levels. Try to progressively reduce the amount you consume. You can even think about giving it up entirely. Consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes also lead to higher stress levels in the long-term.
You could try talking about your problems to reduce your stress levels. Sometimes, talking or writing about your problems is all it takes.
