That long commute to work, packed schedules and constant connection to social media are the norm for many of us. We know that our busy lives can take a toll on our sanity, but did you know that it could also stress out your skin?
Cultural stress, a term coined by Howard Murad, MD, in his latest book Conquering Cultural Stress, can have some adverse affects on our skin. Eating processed and sugary foods causes skin to become oily and more susceptible to breakouts. Sleeping less causes those dark under-eye circles and dull-looking skin. Even frowning too much makes it easy for those aging lines to form around your mouth. “It is important to note that any kind of stress affects all of the organs in the body, and is most visible on our largest organ–our skin,” explains Dr. Murad.
So, now that we know how much our busy lives can age our skin, what can we do about it? He suggests these three simple things:
Eat Well
Reaching for those cookies every time you’re feeling frazzled may make you feel better in the short-term, but not so much in the long run. Instead, get your daily dose of water, raw fruits and vegetables to give your body (and skin!) the hydration, fiber and other nutrients it needs to look its best.
Use The Right Products
Picking products that are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories can help strengthen skin’s barrier when life gets crazy. Murad’s Essential C Moisture ($60) shields and revitalizes stressed-out skin with vitamin C and SPF 30 protection.
Get Moving
Exercising is a great way to relieve tension and release those feel-good hormones, which makes it a tried-and-true stress reliever. What you may not know is that it also helps nourish skin with oxygen while flushing out toxins. Not only do you get a healthier body, but you also get brighter and clearer-looking skin.
