Table of contents:
- What happens to your body when you are stressed?
- Why does stress make you old quickly?
- So, how do you ease the effects of stress on the skin?
From problems at work, fighting with friends, or household problems, everyone experiences stress at least once in their life. But don't let your confused and troubled thoughts linger. The reason is, the phrase that says that stress makes you old is not just a rumor. If stress is left untreated, you can actually look older than your peers, you know!
What happens to your body when you are stressed?
Stress usually starts from feeling overwhelmed by a lot of pressure from outside and inside that has been going on for a long time - physically, mentally, and emotionally. When you are under stress, your body reads an attack or threat. As a self-protection mechanism, the body will produce various stress hormones such as adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine. The increased production of this stress hormone causes your heart rate to increase, breathing faster, muscles to tighten, and your blood pressure to rise.
Why does stress make you old quickly?
The skin is the organ that first feels all changes from the outside environment - changes in hot-cold temperatures, exposure to harmful chemicals, to pressure that can damage the skin. The skin does this through pain receptors that are embedded under the skin layer called nociceptors. The skin also has a role in responding to various inflammation and immune system disorders.
According to research published in the Journal of Inflammation & Allergy Drug Targets, the brain releases corticotropin-releasing hormone, or CRH. Afterwards, CRH stimulates the pituitary gland to release ACTH and stimulates the adrenal glands to release the stress hormone cortisol. One of the effects of the hormone cortisol is to make the skin sag fast. The hormone cortisol is alleged to exacerbate the production of natural oils (sebum) and cause acne. That's why stress makes you old quickly.
So, how do you ease the effects of stress on the skin?
You may not be able to avoid stress, but you can try a number of ways to better handle the effects of stress on the skin. Here are some ways, as reported by Web MD:
- Even if you are tired and stressed, don't forget to take care of your skin. Wash your face, use a moisturizer, or wear sunscreen.
- Get regular exercise. Exercise has benefits that are good for the skin.
- Take time for yourself to do something you enjoy, even if you only have 10 minutes.
- Try going to a place you like.
- Try learning breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation techniques.
- Enough sleep. Seven to 8 hours each night is ideal.
- Try to have the courage to say no to things that you really don't like and are just a burden to you.
- Talk to someone you trust. Seek support from friends or even professional medical help.
