How five minutes of “me time” relieves stress and does wonders for your appearance, too.
Stress has become a constant part of our daily lives, and consequently, our beauty routines. With high levels of stress, you are more prone to experience acne, wrinkles, dry skin and even hair loss.
Instead of only recommending topical treatments, dermatologists are also prescribing meditation—the practice of calming your mind to reduce stress. Find out how even just five minutes of “me time” does wonders for your appearanceand mind.
Stress on the Body
“Stress is what I call a ‘beauty burglar,'” says David Bank, MD, a Board Certified Dermatologist and author of Beautiful Skin: Every Woman’s Guide to Looking Her Best at Any Age. “When you are stressed, your blood vessels constrict. Stress also makes you release all sorts of stress hormones, which can trigger your body to decide that skin circulation is not a priority and to channel blood away from the skin toward muscles and other organs in the body.” Not only is the skin deprived of oxygen and nutrients, but it becomes so sensitive that pre-existing issues, such as acne and eczema, tend to flare up.
“Our muscles tense and skin loses that rosy glow and fine lines and wrinkles begin to form,” Banks says. Stress also effects hair loss. As the blood vessels begin to constrict, it deprives hair follicles of the oxygen, minerals and vitamins it needs for healthy hair growth.” Vitamins are instead directed to organs—like the heart, lungs and brain—that are needed for survival.
Yet, biology can’t be blamed for everything. “When we are under stress we tend (in general) to do less of the things that we need to do to keep our skin healthy,” says Christine Cabell, MD, dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Geisinger Health System, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. “We sleep less, drink less water, drink more caffeine, skip parts of our skin care routine and exercise less.” And every little bit takes a toll. “Many of us notice a change in the tone, color and moisture in the skin after missing a few nights of good sleep in a row or after the stress of travel.”
The Benefits of Meditation
A stronger retinol or thicker moisturizer may relieve some of the symptoms, but the smartest cure is to relieve the stress itself. “When we meditate (even if for a few minutes a day) we are allowing our minds and bodies to enter a more relaxed state,” says Dr. Cabell. “This will act to release chemicals that counter the “stress” chemicals and hormones. In addition, allowing calm breathing helps oxygenate our bodies and both the breathing and state of calm will help with toxin elimination.” She also recommends yoga poses that release the force of gravity on the skin. “Yoga also stimulates blood flow, lymphatic flow and oxygenation throughout the entire body.”
“I have heard patients tell me that they have noticed a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, improved acne and less dark circles and bags under their eyes as well as a healthy glow to their skin from practicing meditation,” says Banks, who, like Cabell, recommends meditation to his patients. Expect to see results—not only on your skin and hair, but on your mental well being—in as little as two weeks.
The Beginner’s Guide to Meditation
With our minds moving at a hundred miles a minute, it’s hard to imagine meditation possible. Can we ever just “be”? Beth Lewis, the CLAY Health Club + Spa Master Trainer and Yoga Instructor in New York City recommends a beginners class to learn the basics. “New practitioners often jump into classes that are too advanced and when it proves to be too difficult, they get discouraged and give up on the practice,” says Lewis.
For those who simply don’t have the time, a 5-minute practice at home does suffice. “One must make time for themselves. It’s best, especially for beginners, to find a quiet place with no distractions and lie flat on their back. If there is any back or neck pain, props should be used to make the situation as comfortable as possible. When completely comfortable, close eyes and focus on the breath. Do not get too caught up in what should or should not be happening, just let everything sink.”
Barb Schmidt, the author of The Practice and Founder of Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, has a simple three-part practice that makes meditation a part of your entire day. “‘The Practice’ serve as reminders that we can stop, take a breath, and begin again, feeling refreshed and ready to take on whatever comes our way with confidence, calmness and strength,” says Schmidt. “I like to call this way of life ‘living from the inside out.'” By starting the day with a 5-minute meditation, mentally staying calm and peaceful throughout the day and finishing with a reflection activity before bed reinforces a stress-free lifestyle throughout the day. “With every step and choice we make throughout the day, we are connected within to our deep source of patience, courage, peace and love.”
And now we have beautiful hair and skin to prove it.
