By Ravinder Lilly
USANA ANZ
Writer and Dietitian
We all need a little stress – that kick of adrenalin gets
you go in the morning and it’s responsible for the kind of motivation you need
to succeed. But fast-pace 21st lifestyles mean that stress is ever
present – and this can cause damage to mind and body – and that includes your
skin.
Stress causes a chemical response in your body that causes
physical and emotional changes. As far as your skin is concerned, it makes it
more sensitive and reactive. Ongoing stress can also make it harder for skin
problems to heal.
Do you ever notice that when you’re stressed, your skin
breaks out? That’s because stress triggers the production and release of
cortisol and other hormones one effect of which is on the oil producing glands
in your skin, the sebaceous glands. Stress triggers them to produce more oil.
And, as oily skin is more susceptible to skin problems like acne, it may be
stress that’s behind worsening skin
problems including rosacea, and eczema. So
what can you do to stress less and help boost your skin health?
1.
Drink more. Water that is… One of the many ways
that your body naturally detoxes itself is with pure, clean water. Water helps
your kidneys, liver and intestines function properly in their task of cleansing
the body. It also ensures that your skin can do one of its many jobs, removing
impurities and wastes through sweat.
2.
And talking of sweat… Exercise is an important
stress buster. But it has a dual action because it also helps the blood to pump
around the body nourished all your organs including your skin. Aerobic
exercise – the kind that makes your heart beat faster – is the kind that does
this. Exercise can be a healthy diversion from stresses and boosts the release
of fee-good chemicals called endorphins to help raise your mood and lower your
stress. But aerobic isn’t the only way to go – stretching activities such as
yoga and Tai Chi which involve rhythmic breathing and steady, systematic
movements help to boost relaxation. Shower and changes soon after exercise to
minimise the length of time sweaty material is left against your skin.
3.
Get enough sleep. If you’re short of the ZZZs,
your mind and body is not getting enough time to unwind after the pressures of
the day. Try to have a regular sleep time. As part of your wind down routine,
take 15 to 20 minutes to do some gentle stretches and deep breathing to relax
and ease away the pressures of the day. Try to unwind with a good book rather
than more screen time – the light emitted from transmitting screens interferes
with your body’s natural sleep wake mechanisms and could make sleeping more
difficult.
4.
Find time for you. Take time for yourself to do
something you enjoy, even if you only have ten minutes. And, if you need to, talk
to someone. Your doctor can put you in touch with a suitable professional.
5.
Enjoy a healthy, mixed diet. Go low – low GI
that is! Too many sugary foods and drinks leads to a rapid rise in blood
glucose. This in turn means that your body releases insulin to try and normalise
blood glucose levels. Too much circulating insulin stresses the hormonal
responses and could means and putting the oil gland producing action into
overdrive!
6.
Nourish with nutritionals. Omega-3 fats help to
plump the skin and boost its ability to retain moisture. The result? Fatter,
healthier skin. Omega-3s also control the release of irritating substances
including leukotriene B4 which is involved with skin problems.
7.
Nourish from the outside in. While there is no
doubt that nutrition is vital, the skin-boosting nutritionals only get to the
skin when all of the other organs have been nourished. So, a great way to
provide food for skin is to apply it. Many preparations use vitamin C because
of its radiance producing effects. But not all vitamin C products are stable.
USANA’s Sense™ range is a great way
to feed the skin with plant based nutrition and a stable complex of vitamins –
including vitamin C.
Our latest issue of Product Focus provides an
in-depth information about how you can nourish your skin inside and out. Hop
onto USANAToday to find out more and download your free copy of the newsletter
and the PowerPoint presentation.
Labels: BiOmega, skin, stress, USANA ANZ, Vitamin C