Stress & Skin: Tips to Stop Stress-related Acne

The idea that acne is made worse by stress was once considered a myth, but there is enough medical evidence to confirm that it is true. If you’ve noticed that your acne tends to get worse when you’re under a lot of stress, here are a few things you can do to help keep it under control.
Eat Well
Your diet may not always have a major effect on your skin, but it does affect your mood. Not eating regularly enough or eating the wrong kinds of foods can raise your stress levels and even cause you to break out. You’re probably well aware that you should be eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains while avoiding sugary and fatty junk foods, but when you eat is just as important. Stick to regular meal times as often as you can, and try to eat smaller meals more often rather than bigger meals once or twice a day.
Limit Your Caffeine and Alcohol Intake
Too much caffeine is obviously a bad idea if you’re trying to avoid feeling stressed, but so is too much alcohol. Not only will you feel terrible after a night of too much drinking, but the alcohol will strip your body of vitamins and eventually damage your skin.
Get Seven to Eight Hours of Sleep Every Night
The National Sleep Foundation still recommends seven to eight hours of sleep every night. This will not only help you feel more rested and alert, but it will keep your stress levels to a minimum and improve your skin’s appearance.
Exercise at Least 10 Minutes a Day
You don’t have to hit the gym every day, but you should be getting at least 10 minutes of exercise every day. Even if it is just going for a walk, that kind of regular exercise will keep you in shape and help your body release endorphins to keep your stress levels low.
Talk to Your Doctor
If all else fails and you still have acne problems even with lower stress levels, speak to your doctor about other acne treatments. Even though acne may be tied to stress, it can have other underlying causes.
If you are experiencing issues with acne, please contact Central Wellness today, we are Billings Top Skincare Experts!