You probably recognise how too much stress makes you feel. Maybe wired, irritated or angry.
Maybe tired and drained. But do you recognise the signs of stress in your skin and hair? Perhaps that nagging skin problem is not just down to the wrong moisturiser, or even a lack of the right nutrients in your diet.
Here are five ways stress could be affecting your appearance…
1. Ageing skin
Stress can deplete antioxidants in our cells, making them more vulnerable to free radical damage, it may also interfere with DNA repair too. When this happens in our skin, signs of ageing such as wrinkles and thinning skin can show up faster.
2. Breakouts
If you’ve ever been blighted by a nasty pimple before a first date or big exam, it probably wasn’t coincidence. The connection between stress and breakouts could be down to increased oil production in the skin. It may also be because stress interferes with blood sugar levels, hormone balance or the immune system, all of which can play a role in unpleasant skin eruptions!
3. Hair loss
Too much stress can have a dire effect on our digestion. It works against our body’s ‘rest and digest’ response that’s needed to digest food and absorb nutrients properly. But what does this have to do with losing hair? Well, hair is one of the first things to be compromised when we’re not absorbing enough of the right vitamins, minerals or protein. So if your locks seem to be getting thinner, stress could be the culprit!
4. Skin rashes and irritation
Stress affects the immune system. And skin rashes, itchy or irritated skin can all be a sign that the immune system is not happy. Stress can even trigger flare-ups of chronic skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.
5. Dark eye circles
There are two common reasons for those unsightly ‘panda eyes’. One is lack of sleep, of course – which is often stress-related, whether it’s because you’re burning the midnight oil or because you’re lying awake at night with a million buzzing thoughts. And another reason can be food allergies or intolerances – which, again, are an indication that the immune system is acting up, perhaps as a result of stress.
So, if you’re trying to solve skin troubles or hair woes, think about addressing stress first.
Here are three powerhouse nutrients that could help you on your way…
Ashwagandha
A true herbal hero when it comes to managing stress, ashwagandha is known for its calming, anti-anxiety effects and its ability to lower levels of stress hormones. It can support your energy during the day, but can also be fantastic for sleep if taken at night. Result? You’ll be more chilled out – and your skin can chill out too.
Try Pukka’s Wholistic™ Ashwagandha – a super-concentrated extract that gives you the equivalent of almost 40 grams of fresh ashwagandha root per two capsules. BUY NOW
Vitamin C
As well supporting our immune system, vitamin C is essential for making collagen – a key protein that keeps skin looking young and helps with repair and healing. We burn through it more quickly when we’re stressed, another potential reason for skin ageing faster and troubled skin at times of stress.
Magnesium
Sometimes known as ‘nature’s tranquilliser’, magnesium is every nutritionist’s favourite for helping to cope with stress, calm anxiety and encourage better sleep. Top yours up with Magnesium capsules, (BUY NOW) which provide natural magnesium from purified seawater for better absorption.
