The Relationship Between Acne And Stress

There’s research out there that links stress to oily skin and acne. The general belief is that stress can effect acne and make your skin oilier. There has been a study which confirmed that students with acne, had even more of a problem than usual with acne throughout their exam periods.

An increase in stress hormones can lead to all sorts of changes. Worsened acne can be 1, as well as weight gain and an increased blood pressure. Stress increases the amount of oil your skin secretes, which leads to clogged pores, which we all know results in acne.

Even without research evidence, it is usually easy to tell that stress can worsen acne. After a stressful day, our skin suffers.

It is important to control your stress, not only to improve the condition of your skin but to improve your overall well being.

Potential Causes of stress

  • General emotional issues
  • Anxiety about an event
  • A lifestyle that is too hectic
  • Smoking/Alcohol/Caffeine
  • Large Workload
  • Feeling Overwhelmed
  • A Lack of Sleep

These are all points that could cause you to be stressed. It could also be something as trivial as a long queue that could cause you to become stressed. Some people are just not as good at dealing with stress as others.

If you see that your acne breakouts are linked to particular events such as exams, moving to a new place or any sort of important event, then it is probable that your breakouts are stress related, or at least effected by how stressed you are.

So we know that stress might increase the oiliness of your skin and worsen your acne, but how could we reduce this stress?

Well it is easier said than done, but the first thing you need to do is recognize that you are stressed. This is the most crucial part in dealing the problem. Typically, by observing that you are stressed, and reminding yourself to be positive can decrease your stress levels. If you are feeling tense, then you should try to relax your body. If your body is relaxed, then it will help your mind relax too.

Taking a break is also 1 basic change that could help reduce stress levels. Life is stressful but a few minutes is all it will take to make the difference. Make sure you give yourself a few minutes of “me time” each and every day. You could just lay in bed, sit in your car or go for a walk.

Exercise can also help with stress. Go for a run or do some form of workout several times as week and you will feel far better for it.

Lowering the amount of caffeine you consume can also help with stress. Many people now rely on caffeine to function through the day. Consuming too much caffeine can increase your stress levels. Try to steadily reduce the amount you consume. You may even consider giving it up completely. Consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes also lead to higher stress levels in the long term.

You could try talking about your problems to reduce your stress levels. Sometimes, talking or writing about your issues is all it takes.

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