The 6 Negative Effects Stress Has On My Skin

Last updated by Katie M.

What with my eye bags that seem to get bigger by the day and my spots that remind me of my teenage years; stress has definitely had an impact on my skin. Looking at my face, I get the impression that it’s shouting 'stop'; especially when it comes to my relationship and work issues. Here's what happens to my body when the stress, worry and anxiety build up. After all, who doesn't want to look amazing 24/7?

Legend states that stress is responsible for gray hair, but no one ever really talks about the negative impacts it has on our skin. Whenever I’m the least bit upset, it’s as if the suitcases under my eyes get 2 cms bigger and my spots erupt angrily like previously dormant volcanoes. Despite buying the most expensive creams and testing pretty much every treatment out there, nothing seems to solve my problems. We’re probably all still waiting for a miracle cream to save our lives, but it seems like that wait is still lengthy. 

6 Things stress does to my skin...

1) It makes me blush embarrassingly

What’s incredible with stress is that the effects of it are almost immediate. In my case, having to stand up in front of other people and talk is enough to send me the color of a tomato. The fear of public speaking makes my breathing harder to manage and gets me all hot and bothered. To top things off people often point out how red am I which only makes matters worse.

Skin problems

To avoid remaining in a state of permanent redness, people have advised me to focus on my breathing and to count to 3 in an attempt to calm down. I’ve tried it out and it seems to help a bit and definitely avoids further embarrassment.

>>> Discover the symptoms and causes of anxiety attacks

2) It gives me bigger eye bags than boobs

One thing you’ll notice if you’re anything like me is that stress and sleep just don’t go together. As soon as I’m worried, I have trouble sleeping and end up with a zombie starring back at me in the mirror. I’ve slowly got used to having eye bags as if I’d been partying for a week straight. Getting in a good night’s sleep is tough following horrific days in the office…

3) It makes my face drier than the Sahara

Even after an hour in the sauna, my skin is completely dry and dehydrated. Whenever I’m stressed, I’m focused on so many different things that I forget to do the essential, like drink water! The human body needs roughly 8 glasses or 2 liters of water a day, so my dry skin shouldn’t come as a surprise. Like a flower we need watering regularly.

Dry skin

Let me make one thing clear; water is our friend. Stress naturally draws us towards sodas, energy drinks and coffee and although they may wake you up, they also dehydrate your skin.

4) Guess who’s back? It’s acne

Stress has a time travel effect on me and plummets me back to my teenage years where acne was my biggest enemy. My teenage years were difficult and weren’t made any easier with a constellation of pimples on my forehead. Stress hormones increase the production of sebum and makes our skin oily.

5) It gives me wrinkles

Each emotion and facial movement leaves an impact on our faces. Frowning and pouting are the worst for leaving stubborn marks and are only increased by stress. I’ll let you in to a little secret, I don’t want stress too defeat me and mark my face, which is why I use an anti-aging cream.

>>> Find out how to reduce stress in children

6) A smile makes everything better

Did Marilyn Monroe ever look stressed? Hell no! Or if she was, she hid it well and blew us away with her megawatt smile. Let’s follow her example and work out the 17 muscles in our face by smiling. Look happy and overcome your anxiety.

Article presented by Katie M.

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