Whether down to work, illness or just the little hassles of everyday life, most of us will have experienced stress at some point in our lives. Aside from common symptoms such as lack of sleep and stomach upset, there are many other visible signs of stress that shouldn’t be ignored. Obviously the long-term solution to these issues is to learn to manage your stress with relaxation techniques, exercise, or talking therapy, but if you’ve noticed that stress is affecting the way you look and you’re after a quick fix, take a look at these helpful tips.
Skin problems
If you’ve noticed some issues with your skin lately, stress may be the culprit. Cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress, can cause pores to clog and acne to form. Common skin conditions such as eczema can also worsen due to stress, resulting in an outbreak of dry patches of skin. If stress has taken a toll on your skin, look for some effective ways to treat it. Introducing a regular skincare routine can help keep occasional spots at bay, or if your acne is more severe, try visiting your GP who can advise you on the best treatment. Eczema can usually be easily handled with the use of over-the-counter moisturisers and creams, but if this isn’t effective, prescription medication can also be helpful.
Hair loss
Stress-related hair loss, or telogen effluvium, is a common problem for many people. This hair loss usually occurs after a sudden and severe onset of stress, and causes hair follicles to enter the resting stage and hair to stop growing. Although with most cases of telogen effluvium the hair begins to grow back on its own, there are things you can do to conceal any thinning areas of hair. Many brands such as caboki uk offer products that use natural plant fibres that once sprinkled over the affected area, result in a thicker looking head of hair that lasts all day long. Other easy ways to conceal hair loss include styling techniques, volumizing products or by dyeing your hair a lighter shade to minimise the appearance of thinning hair at the roots.
Weight changes
Often the most noticeable of the signs. Changes such as weight gain or loss are a common symptom of stress. These issues are again down to the hormone cortisol, which has been shown to increase appetite and drive cravings for unhealthy food. Alternatively, the worry and anxiety that comes along with stress can cause a loss of appetite, resulting in an often drastic weight loss. While working to combat your stress, try and manage your weight by eating a healthy, balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables. Drinking herbal tea such as green tea has been said to have a relaxing effect on the body while also speeding up metabolism, which can help you shed any extra weight you’ve gained. On the other hand, if you’re having trouble putting the weight back on, try specialist weight-gaining milkshakes and meals packed full of healthy fats, and remember to start each day with a filling breakfast. Lack of appetite can often make people forget to eat, so it might be worth scheduling alarms to remind you of each meal time to help your body get back into a routine.
If you’re experiencing severe stress, remember to always talk to your GP for advice and find a treatment that can help.
