With April being Stress Awareness Month, it’s important to highlight the effect stress can have on the body, especially the skin. Everyone experiences stress at some point in their lives. Whether you stress over your job, your home life, or traffic, feeling stressed is a normal emotion. It’s important to note that the effects of stress are manifested in a myriad of ways. Oftentimes, stress exacerbates preexisting conditions like hives, acne, psoriasis or eczema. Experiencing prolonged stress also has long-term effects on the body including depression, sleep disorders and weight loss or gain and depression.
When you are in a state of anxiety, your body is essentially on high alert, attempting to protect you from any perceived threats. This stress to your immune system causes a “natural alarm system” that can disrupt much of the body’s normal functions. This disruption is often what leads to breakouts, psoriasis flare-ups or any other functions that seem out of the ordinary. These breakouts can often cause a person to stress even MORE over their current issues. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, there are several healthy ways to deal with your stressors.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet, get regular exercise, get good sleep:
Do what you can to feel your best. Opt for greens rather than sugary, processed food, go for a jog to boost endorphins, and go to bed early. These things are not guaranteed to fix any symptoms, but they do help you feel energized and ready to tackle the day.Take time for hobbies and friendships:
Do what makes you happy. Whether that’s reading a book, going out to dinner with friends or getting a massage, make sure you do what makes you feel a little more decompressed.Seek help from professionals:
Whether your skin is breaking out in hives or acne, or if you’re feeling depressed, seeking professional help for these symptoms can really help. Our providers at Collins are well-versed in ways to treat your skin-related issues that are linked with prolonged stress.Because varying genetics and life experiences can impact stress, there is no single cure for stress. None of these remedies necessarily mean your symptoms will automatically go away, or that your feelings of stress will automatically dissipate, but these measures are a great place to start for long-term care. If you are dealing with stress and it’s taking a toll on your skin, book an appointment online with one of our providers, or call us at 512.379.6090 today.