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We all know stress can be extremely detrimental to your health and well-being not to mention it’s not very much fun to deal with. Your skin is actually the first to suffer from exposure to stress and those living with constant stress many develop hives, flushing, itching, acne, psoriasis, eczema, and premature aging.

When you are under tremendous pressure your body produces more cortisol (the stress hormone) which inhibits the release of an important enzyme, superoxide dismutase. This vital enzyme is responsible for scavenging nasty free radicals and keeps them from destroying your cells. With superoxide dismutase held prisoner, free radicals are free to do their thing and wreak havoc throughout your body causing premature aging among a host of other negative reactions. Lower levels of superoxide dismutase result in inflammation all over the body creating unwanted skin conditions such as acne, eczema, redness, rashes, and wrinkles.

Stress is also known to deplete your skin of oxygen and upset the digestive process. Lack of oxygen means vital nutrients aren’t reaching their target; your cells, making your skin look dull, pale, and lifeless. Digestion that doesn’t run smoothly means that all those wonderfully rich nutrients coming from the healthy foods you eat aren’t getting absorbed while toxins and impurities collect more quickly. Slow digestion also negatively impacts your cellular turnover and collagen and elastin production. Poor turnover along with a decrease in collagen and elastin synthesis can cause under eye puffiness, dark circles, loss of elasticity, rough texture, blemishes, dilated pores, and wrinkles. Get the picture?

To make the picture even worse, stress causes muscles to get stiff including facial muscles. Rigid, stiff facial muscles can form folds and creases on your face that over time become etched deep into the skin.

Knowing what the effects of stress can do to your beautiful face is your ammunition to do something drastic; RELAX! Yes, relax. Finding ways that you can relax and let go of the stress will not only ease anxiety and improve your health but it will also help your skin look more luminous. There are number of things you can do to ease tension and stop stress from robbing you of your beauty; you just have to figure out what works best for you.

Simple Ways to Relax

Listen to music

Get out in nature

Exercise

Meditate

Garden

Cook

Read

Spend time with animals

Grab coffee with friends

Get a massage

Yoga

You may have to experiment a bit to discover what helps you relax and eases the tension from your body. It can vary from one person to another so whatever you do don’t add additional stress in your life trying to fit into someone else’s mold. You are unique and your form of relaxation may be completely different from your best friend’s and that is more than okay; it’s right for you.