Total Randomnessss: October 2010

Monday, October 25, 2010

Stress fractures beauty

Generic pic of a woman looking stressed, sad, depressed, anxious.

Stress isn't only bad for your health, it can also take a toll on your appearance.

Melbourne-based former model turned stylist Gregory Landsman says no amount of lighting, makeup or airbrushing can hide a face full of stress.

"I have worked with faces right around the world and realised ... that we carry stress in our bodies and visibly on our faces," the author of Face and Fitness says.

People who are prone to oily skin may see an increase in acne and oil secretion during times of tension, while those with dry, sensitive skin might notice dehydration, redness or inflammation. Others may show stress through dull, puffy eyes.

"Stress has become our face's constant companion and is, unfortunately, one of the major causes of premature ageing," Landsman says.

That's why he says the key component in a daily beauty regime begins with stress reduction.

To manage stress, you need to understand how the body reacts to tension, Brisbane chiropractor Jocelyn Olsson says.

When we are tense, our adrenal glands release "stress response" hormones, Olsson says.

"Once this response has been activated, the body responds by an increase in heart rate, an increase in blood pressure, muscular stress, and the blood flowing away from the digestive functions toward the muscles," she says.

Stress can also produce allergic reactions and interfere with the body's absorption of nutrients, says Adelaide-based naturopath Christopher Raybould.

"Your blood supply goes not to your stomach, it's going to your muscles for the fighting or flight.

"Your digestive system shuts down. Food will pass undigested into the small intestines, your immune system will say, 'Aha, a foreign invader!'"

This puts the burden of eliminating toxins from the system on the skin, he says, resulting in blemishes, oil secretion or inflammation.

Chronic stress also depletes the body of vitamin C, zinc and magnesium - which boost the immune system and repair cells - contributing to skin problems.

But the good news, says Olsson, is that we can learn to beat stress. Here's how:

- Deep breathing activates what's known as a parasympathetic response: it increases digestion, slows the heart rate and relaxes muscles.

- Aromatherapy can promote deeper breathing and calm the pulse. Add combination of essential oils like lavender, ylang ylang, geranium and rosemary to your bath or oil burner as an antidote to stress and weariness.

- Practise Tai Chi, yogo or meditation. When your mind centres its attention on something simple for an extended period of time, the brain focuses on something other then the stressful event.

- Art therapy or creative expression can also focus attention away from external pressures, encouraging the body, soul and mind to unwind. Whether it's painting, acting, composing music, writing pottery or weaving tapestry, taking time out from a hectic lifestyle is not only fun but also necessary to our wellbeing.

- Exercise is excellent for eliminating pent up chemicals and stress hormones.

- Simple dietary modification can also reduce stress. Olsson recommends eating organic food and avoiding processed foods, coffee, cigarettes and sugar. Ginseng, licorice root, Tyrosine, Valerian, Astragalas, Rheumania, Withania and vitamin B can decrease anxiety and promote a deeper, more restful sleep.

AAP