Sure Fire Ways Stress Affects How You Look
Stress. Everyone has it. No one can get rid of it completely. So the ultimate question is, what toll does stress take on our appearance and how can we remedy some of the affects?
Under Eye Bags
Your mind can race at night thinking of what you have to do the following day and the lack of sleep can cause fluid to pool up under your eyes. The result: big bags of awfulness when you wake up the next morning. To avoid puffy eyes all together, try to get at least 8 hours of sleep at night. If you can’t seem to get enough rest and still wake up with bags, put some spoons in the fridge for a bit to get them really cold then hold them on your eyes. It will jumpstart the draining of the fluid.
Dry, Flaky Skin
When you are stressed, you might be choosing to drink caffeinated beverages instead of water. When skin becomes dehydrated, it gets dry and flaky. Ultimately, you should be drinking at least 8 glasses of water each day. If you are looking for a quick fix, use a serum that contains hyaluronic acid, an ingredient that naturally occurs in your body and holds 1,000 times its weight in water. Hyaluronic acid even pulls moisture from the air into the skin, instantly hydrating it and leaving you with a gorgeous glow.
Acne
Stress releases cortisol, which can throw off the other hormones in your body and cause breakouts all over. Try to stay hydrated, eat well, and take deep breaths to relax your body. If you are in a tight spot and need to conceal that zit immediately, use a little bit of concealer and blend well.
Flushed Face
People tend to take short, shallow breaths when they are stressed. Some even hold their breath. This all leads to flushing and redness of the face. Try taking big, deep breaths to calm your system down. Certain brands, such as Clinique, offer anti-redness foundation that can help reduce the appearance immediately.
Fine Lines
Pursing your lips or furrowing your brow are sure signs that you are stressed. Over time, these movements can lead to lines and wrinkles. To reduce the lines that you already developed, use a silicone based moisturizer that will fill in fine lines, allowing your makeup to go on smoothly and not sink into those fine lines.
Gray Hair
We all dread going gray but that is exactly what happens when you are stressed and predisposed to gray hair. Prevent your hair from premature aging by using a protein-rich shampoo. Coloring your hair may also be an option.
Thinning Hair
Stress accelerates the natural cycle of our hair. This means it will go from the growing phase to the resting phase to the falling out phase much faster. Hair loss is usually a reaction to extreme stress so once you figure out what the stressor is and get it under control, your hair will revert back to its normal cycle.
Deep Grooves in Your Nails
Vertical lines in nails are common and harmless, but if you notice horizontal grooves in your nails, it’s best to consult your doctor ASAP. These horizontal lines usually mean there is a serious condition going on and you should pay a visit to your doctor. While waiting to see your doctor, try doing some deep breathing or other relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation. If these grooves are really bothersome for you to look at, try hiding them by painting on some fancy nail art. Some techniques are so easy that even a novice can master the look.
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