Stress - deal with it and help your complexion at the same time!

Our skin and complexion is more often than not a reflection of our inner calm, as well as our physical health and sadly, stress plays a big part in our every day lives.

For instance, did you know that just a week of broken sleep due to either stress or tough and long working hours can bring dark circles under our eyes which no cosmetic product can eliminate completely? 

And in addition to that, the natural rejuvination of our skin can also be affected by our state of mind. A stressful period can slow down the process of cell renewal, destroy collagen fibers in the skin, break down it's elastin and increase the production of sebum oils in oily skin, or dehydrate dry skin.

So, to help promote a healthy and glowing complexion, you need to take care of your inner self as well as your outer - it's one of the keys to beautiful skin.

Here are some tips on how to deal with uncomfortable and stressful situations..

• First of all just leave the situation and drink a glass of water.
• Don’t make any decisions during these phases and try not to make any negative judgements about anyone else and more importantly yourself.
• Think about the positive points of the situation - nothing is ideal or perfect in this world but there is always something good in everything - it may take some time to think of it, but it will be there! 
• Don’t try to seek the help of cigarettes, alcohol and definitely do not turn to drugs.
• Go and involve yourself in an easy task, such as cleaning your wardrobe, or simply going for a brief walk. 
• Talk to someone and if there's no-one available then take a notepad and write down how you are feeling and why. You have no idea how much this helps!
• Do aerobics, yoga or go for a swim.
  

Another way to alleviate day to day stress is to practice a step by step relaxation exercise that you can perform quickly and quietly, wherever you are - and as often as you wish:

1. Lie on the sofa or bed and if you are at your work place and a bed or couch is unavailable, than just sit comfortably in your chair.

2. Close your eyes and take a deep slow breath and imagine the tension in all your muscles. Now breath out slowly and imagine that you are letting out as much inner tension as possible. Repeat this step five times.

3. Focus your mind on your feet and calves. Breath in and stretch your feet and calves as far as you can without causing discomfort. Hold your breath for few seconds and than breath out and at the same time relax your feet and calf muscles.

4. Focus your mind on your thighs and bottom. Breath in and tense these muscles. Hold for few seconds than breath out and relax your muscles.

5. Focus on the abdomen and chest. Repeat the same procedure of stretching and relaxing with these muscles.

6. Focus your mind on your hands and arms. Stretch your fingers straight and tense all the muscles from your shoulders to your fingertips. Hold for a few seconds and breath out and relax the muscles.

7. Now focus your mind on the muscles of the shoulders and neck. Push your shoulders back and stretch the muscles of both areas. Hold your breath in for a few seconds and then relax the muscles, letting your breath out at the same time.

8. Focus your mind on your face and head. Breath in and at the same time tense your forehead, close you eyes tightly, clench your jaw, scrunch up your whole face and hold your breath for few seconds. Now breath out and relax your muscles slowly.

9. To finish stand up and slowly raise yourself on tiptoe, raising your arms above your head and joining your hands at the top, all the time breathing in as much air as you can. It's a wonderful stretch - hold for a few seconds and let your breath out slowly, at the same time bringing your arms out straight to the sides and then letting them fall to a natural position, and relaxing to a normal standing position.

You’ll feel relaxed, calm and peaceful. Try it - it works and your skin will ultimately thank you for it!




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