The Aging Effects of Stress
You probably already know how stress makes you feel — tense, on edge, anxious, and ready to bite off someone's head if they look at you wrong. But did you know that chronic stress can have a long-term impact on your physical health and appearance?
That's right. Stress can affect how you look. Eek!
Don't let yourself stress over it, though. ;-) Empower yourself by learning how stress affects your body, what you can do to protect yourself from the effects of stress, and how you can cultivate a calmer, more peaceful mind and body.
The Not-So-Pretty Picture of What Stress Does to Your Face
As you get older, you may start to notice a difference in how you and your former classmates age. Some people you went to school with may look much older than the rest, while others could pass for five or so years younger. What gives?
Genetics can play a part in how gracefully you age, but much of how you age relates to your lifestyle habits.
Stress is a major player in aging. Consider what chronic stress can do to your face:
Bags under the eyes – Stress can lead to sleep issues like insomnia, which causes the telltale puffiness under the eyes. Increased cortisol levels, the stress hormone, can also contribute to puffiness and bags.
Wrinkles – Think about the facial expressions you make when stressed — furrowing your brow, frowning, and even squinting. Over time, these can all form wrinkles, doing no favors for your appearance.
Hair loss or graying hair – Long-term stress interferes with your hair’s natural growth cycle and the production of melanocytes, which are responsible for your hair color.
Damaged teeth from bruxism – If you grind or clench your teeth, you are familiar with the destruction stress can do to your smile.
What you eat, how much water you drink, how often you exercise, and the quality of your sleep can also contribute to how you age.
How Can You Protect Your Appearance from the Effects of Stress?
Prevention is always best, but even if your face is already showing signs of stress-related aging, there is plenty you can do to perk up your appearance. While you may be tempted to reach for anti-aging creams or even surgical procedures, getting to the root of premature aging will provide the safest, most natural-looking results.
Here are some tips to reduce stress and promote a healthy, youthful glow:
Stay hydrated! Hydration is key to maintaining soft, supple skin. If you've ever noticed how a night of drinking makes your skin look, it's primarily due to the dehydrating effects of alcohol.
Get plenty of rest. Many people do not get adequate amounts of quality sleep each night. This can lead to dark circles and bags under your eyes that make you look older. Sleep deprivation can also make you more vulnerable to everyday stress.
Practice stress management techniques to alleviate tension. When you feel stressed out, you may clench your jaw, furrow your brow, and tense up your muscles. As mentioned above, these can create wrinkles and damage your teeth. Try different stress reduction methods to find one that works best for you, such as breathing techniques, meditation, and yoga.
These are just a few ideas to help you start your quest for a low-stress lifestyle that will help you age gracefully. Working together with a health coach can also help you discover new ways to manage stress in your life.
Learn How to Stop Stress from Aging You with A Shore Thing Health Coaching
You can’t completely eliminate stress from your life, but you can learn how to manage it better, so it doesn't take a toll on your youthful appearance. When you put your trust in A Shore Thing health coaching, you will receive guidance and support to tackle everyday stressors that leave you looking and feeling tired and rundown.
Call me today at [Direct] or fill out my online form to schedule a consultation and learn how I can help you live a calmer, more peaceful lifestyle so you can look and feel your most vibrant.
