How Does Mental Health Affect Your Skin?

Is stress acne getting you down? You’re not alone. Since thequarantines and lockdowns began, dermatologists have been seeing many adultclients who have had breakouts due to the stressful situation. Patients areoften confused about why they’re having these sudden flare-ups when they’re notspending much time outside, so they aren’t being exposed to grime and pollutionin the way they were in previous years. What you may have noticed is that whenyou’re feeling nervous and tense, your skin seems to also go through a toughtime. Although your mental state doesn’t cause conditions like eczema or acne, yourbody does unfortunately release hormones when you’re constantly in a stressed-outstate. This can lead to the development of visible conditions. Cortisol, forexample, can trigger or worsen your breakouts. For conditions that result inblemishes and pimples,our Albuquerque-based team believes that learning techniques tomanage stress can help you to soothe your skin more effectively and preventbreakouts.

We know that having skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis,rosacea, and eczema can be more than just bothersome because of the cosmeticissues. They can also be a lot to deal with mentally because they may seemunpredictable—and some can’t be cured. These skin problems have a major impacton patients’ lives and are linked to feelings of anxiety, depression, and lowself-esteem. Although it may not be fully possible to stop any kind of stress,here’s what you can do to help:

• Get Enough Sleep

Sleeping is one of the most effective stress reducers. Whenyou’re sleep deprived, your exhaustion not only puts you in a worse mood, butalso gives you bad skin. Try to get enough quality sleep—preferably seven tonine hours each night—and regulate your sleep schedule.

• Try Relaxing Activities

Whether it’s watching TV, reading a book, painting, or chattingwith friends, try to make a little time each day to do something that puts youin a better mood.

• Meditate

Mindfulness meditation and transcendental meditation havebeen shown to help people focus on the present, build self-esteem, and reducelevels of cortisol in the body.

• Stay Active

Exercise is well known for improving your physical andmental health. The gentle, relaxing movements of tai chi and yoga can help youto release tension.

Find out more about treatments for chronic skin conditionslike acne from our team at WesternDermatology Consultants. Call usat 505-855-9267, or submit a contact form to learn more about how emotional stress andanxiety can affect your skin.