We recently wrote about the effect stress can have on your skin, and how important it is to keep up a regular routine. But there are also many ways to reduce stress and its causes. Here we show you easy tips to help alleviate some of the extra stress that occurs around this time of year. Eat a balanced diet Ensuring you’re getting a balanced diet, full of nutrition is key when it comes to dealing with stress. A healthy diet will help to replenish energy levels and keep you going at your full potential. Exercise daily Exercising helps to reduce stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, and releases endorphins; the body’s natural painkiller and mood elevator. Even if it’s a brisk walk, make sure you’re doing some kind of exercise each day to get your blood flowing and your heart rate up. Don’t compromise on sleep Lack of sleep aids stress and forces your body to run at less than its full potential. Sleep is a crucial time for the body to repair, and anything less than 8 hours a night will only do your body (and your mind) more harm than good. Make daily to-do lists Prioritise the jobs in terms of urgency, and start from the top, completing all the most important jobs earlier in the day. Evaluate what jobs can wait for another day, and what jobs need to be completed today. Having a list to refer to, and tick off, will make you feel more in control of the tasks ahead, and reduce your stress levels. Say no more often Sometimes we take on more than we can handle, and it’s perfectly okay to say no when you feel you don’t have the time to do a task for someone else. Make time to relax After you get home from work, take the time to fully unwind from the day. Relax in a hot bath or read a book, and try not to think about anything work-related. Turn off technology at least half an hour before bed We can whittle away many hours on social media, or binge-watching a TV series, but neither is productive and can cause feelings of guilt related to stress. Switching off from technology will allow you to focus on tomorrow, and make the most of your remaining time before bed. Get a facial It’s important to take care of your skin when you’re feeling stressed, so as well as keeping up with a regular skincare routine, you should also treat yourself (and your skin) to a facial treatment. Not only will it help rejuvenate stressed skin, but it will also give you time to relax. Total Body Concept offers an anti-aging calming treatment, which is perfect for helping you to de-stress. Write a daily gratitude list Often when we’re stressed, the problems we think we’re affected by are actually quite trivial. Write a daily list in the morning of 3 things you’re grateful for, and you’ll be surprised how quickly your mindset changes when it comes to feeling stressed. Spend time with friends and family Check in with loved ones to see how their day has been, make plans with friends for the weekend, or call a relative you haven’t spoken to in a while. It’s important to not lose sight of what’s really important in life when you’re stressed, so make this one a priority! — If you liked this blog, head over to our Journal page to read more of our helpful skincare guides! If you live in Christchurch and new to the world of facials, get in contact with us or make a facial appointment here. Meet the Total Body Concept team on this page, or head over to our online store for some skincare retail therapy!
