It’s the New Year and we encourage you to consider mental health for beautiful skin.
What does one have to do with the other? Much more than you can imagine!
How does mental health affect beautiful skin?
In recent years, scientists have found a strong connection between skin health and psychology.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), some dermatologists were skeptical about this connection as recently as 2015. But a simple blush when you’re embarrassed shows that your skin is reflecting your emotions and state of mind at the moment.
Today, dermatologists are much more accepting of the idea that mental health can affect skin health. There is even a new area of skin care called psychodermatologywhich is the study of how mental health conditions can affect skin health and vice versa.
Studies have shown that psychological stress can disrupt the skin’s outer barrier, affecting its ability to hang on to moisture and resist problems like eczema and psoriasis flare-ups. Psychological stress can also act as a trigger for inflammation in the skin, which can increase the risk of acne breakouts, redness, and rosacea flare-ups.
Here at CV Skinlabs, we agree! We take a holistic approach to skin care and wellness, recognizing that skin health is interconnected with mind and body health.
5 Ways Mental Health Affects Skin Health
Let’s look at the different ways your mental health can affect the health of your skin:
Release of hormones
When you’re stressed, your body releases stress hormones like cortisol. These hormones can lead to increased inflammation throughout the body, including the skin. This inflammation can cause redness and acne or worsen skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.
That’s why all our formulas include our powerful Tri-Rescue complex, rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients that help calm and soothe the skin, promote healing and repair, keep inflammation at bay and the skin barrier strong and resilient.
Stressful Behaviors
In some people, stress can cause harmful behaviors such as skin picking, scratching, or other repetitive actions that damage the skin’s surface and cause redness and swelling.
Increased sensitivity
Research shows that stress can make skin more sensitive while exacerbating skin disorders. Stress has also been linked to the development of skin rashes and hives and to causing flare-ups of conditions such as herpes simplex. It can also lead to dryness, cracking, peeling, dermatitis and more.
Excessive Oil Production
If you have oily skin to begin with, you may notice more acne breakouts when you’re stressed. The extra cortisol encourages the skin to produce even more oil. Studies have found that higher stress levels correlate with more severe acne.
Suppressed Immune Function
Your skin has its own immune system, and when you’re stressed, that immune system won’t work as it normally does. When your immune system is working well, it protects you from infections and diseases. But when it doesn’t work as it should, inflammation, redness, allergic reactions, sensitivity and skin conditions get worse.
Boost your mental health for beautiful skin!
On the other side of the coin, scientists have discovered that a calm or positive state of mind has a beneficial effect on the skin.
This may be because when you feel good, your body increases levels of certain hormones associated with good mood states, such as dopamine and serotonin.
Scientists are still researching the results, but suffice it to say that when you feel clear, focused and positive about your life, your skin will naturally look and feel better too.
We encourage you to make your mental health a priority this year, not just for the skin benefits but for all the ways it can improve your daily life. Here are some activities that we know from research can help improve your mental outlook while reducing stress.
1. Meditate
Meditation is one of the best ways to calm a stressed brain. It teaches you to be present and observe your thoughts and feelings without judging them. Over time, this process helps you reduce anxiety, stress and depression.
If you’re not sure where to start, try one of today’s easy guided meditation sessions online. Some good options include:
2. Move More
Scientific research has proven that regular exercise promotes better mental health. It has also been shown that exercisers are better able to respond to stressful situations more calmly and healthily than their non-exercising counterparts.
Find a type of exercise that you enjoy and can do every day. Good options include going for a walk or bike ride, joining a dance or spin class, exercising with a video game, or joining a sports team.
3. Go outside
We spend a lot of time indoors these days, but research shows that getting outside—especially in green spaces—creates many positive health benefits. These include a lower risk of depression, faster recovery from stress and improved mental focus.
Try to walk outside for at least 20 minutes a day.
4. Revisit your hobbies
When was the last time you played your instrument, crocheted a blanket, or built a new desk?
You may think that your hobbies are an indulgence, but they have positive effects on mental health. When you engage in doing something you enjoy just for the pleasure of doing it, the results are similar to those of mediation. You’ll feel calmer and more focused while de-stressing.
It’s so worth it that you should mark time in your calendar to pursue your hobbies. Join a quilting club, take a painting class, hang out with friends to practice your photography, or pick up your guitar and play.
5. Prioritize connection
How often are you with positive friends and loved ones? It may not be often enough.
Connection is one of our primary needs for optimal health and well-being. If you feel like you’ve neglected this area of your life, make it a priority to reconnect this year. Meet a friend for coffee, have loved ones over for dinner, or schedule a Zoom call with someone far away.
You may also want to consider joining a club or volunteering so you can make new connections.
6. Start a gratitude practice
Studies show that when you train your brain to be grateful and regularly notice your blessings, you benefit your overall mental health.
Reminding yourself of what you are grateful for can help you stop negative thought patterns, reducing anxiety and stress. This doesn’t mean you should ignore negative feelings and experiences, just that it helps to take time each day to focus on the good things.
Perhaps the easiest way is to make a list either first thing in the morning or last thing at night of the five things you are grateful for that day. Don’t forget the simple things like having a roof over your head and enough to eat!
7. Declutter
The New Year is a great time to get rid of the clutter of the previous year and start fresh. Studies show that reducing clutter it rejuvenates you and helps reduce stress. Decluttering also helps reduce distraction and increase your ability to focus.
Look around your work and living spaces and see what you can clear up. Think twice about keeping items you “might” need one day. If you haven’t used them in six months or more, it’s probably time to let them go. Donate them to your local Goodwill or shelter where someone else can enjoy them.
One Last Tip
Finally, we recommend that you dedicate time to your skin care routine! Instead of rushing it, you can turn it into a calming, soothing “time after time” that helps you de-stress and refresh your mood. Light a candle, turn on some music and indulge in your favorite mask for a truly rejuvenating experience.
All CV Skinlabs products are designed to be highly effective and safe to use with peace of mind. They have been thoroughly researched and backed by science to provide maximum nutritional care with targeted and clinically proven solutions, helping to balance and restore skin health and radiance.
We hope you choose CV Skinlabs for a healthy start to truly great skin. Happy New Year!
How do you prioritize mental health?
Featured image courtesy of Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels.
