Do these questions sound familiar to you? Maybe you've been thinking about this yourself as the stress mounts, the home-stay weeks feel more like months, and we have more questions than answers.
You're not alone in your quest to find peace amidst all the worry and anxiety. And for those of us with skin conditions, like Rosacea, we can't help but wonder how long it will be before the stress starts to show up on our skin?
Luckily, I am prepared and have all my favorite Rosacea-friendly skin care products stocked up at home, but is that enough to keep my Rosacea at bay? Will my skin start to show the stress, currently plaguing my mind?
Never fear, let's look at what one very reputable source (one of my favorites) says about stress and Rosacea flares: The National Rosacea Society.
Can Stress cause Rosacea flares?
From all the information I devoured on their website, the answer to whether stress and Rosacea flares are related, is an undeniable YES.
Emotional stress has been identified as a common trigger among people with Rosacea. One study cited almost 80% of respondents identified emotional stress as a Rosacea trigger for them.
I know I could raise my hand right along with them. Emotional stress, particularly when I get flushed from feeling all the feelings, totally gets my Rosacea flaring.
I know I could raise my hand right along with them. Emotional stress, particularly when I get flushed from feeling all the feelings, totally gets my Rosacea flaring.
They went on to say that the tricky thing about Rosacea, is that if you are flaring because of emotional distress, the Rosacea flares only make the emotional distress worse. And no one wants that.
So, what can we do to prevent the stress in our lives from triggering a Rosacea flare, creating a cycle of chaos on our face?
How to Prevent Rosacea Flares during Stressful Times
Dr. Grossbart, as cited in an article from the National Rosacea Society, suggests implementing stress management techniques of mind and body to reduce emotional stress, thereby reducing the chances of having stress-related Rosacea flares.
Care for your body and mind by:
- Paying attention to what you are eating
- Drinking plenty of water throughout the day
- Making time for exercise
- Making sure to get enough good sleep
- Practicing meditation - like deep breathing, visualization, relaxation exercises
- Taking positive action by focusing on things you can take action on, instead of getting stuck in the worry of things out of your control.
How to Reduce Stress on your Rosacea Prone Skin
In addition to reducing overall stress to your mind and body, it's also very important to maintain or enhance your normal Rosacea skin care routine so there aren't additional stressors to your skin.Care for your Rosacea-prone skin by:
- Keeping up with your regular cleansing routine
- Using a clean soft washcloth for each wash to maintain clear skin
- Adding additional products as needed, with healing ingredients
- Continuing to use your topical medications
- Getting an extra prescription on hand if you are running low *I actually did this myself. I use Metronidazole gel and asked my dermatologist for one refill during this period of home-stay and she graciously called it in for me.
- Sleeping on a clean pillow case each night can also help keep skin clear. I love to sleep on *my favorite silk pillow cases that are super soothing to my skin and hair. Sleep on one side and flip the pillow over for the next night. Then change pillow cases. *affiliate link - see disclosure below
Are we all totally stressed out right now due to the Corona virus? Yes. But it doesn't mean we can't still find ways to bring our minds, bodies and skin back to a place of peace and calm.
By implementing these changes (or continuing the good habits you've already made) you can get through this *temporary* change of life in a mindful way with lower stress and anxiety and your skin will follow suit.
*As an Amazon Associate I may make a small percentage on any purchases made through my links.
How are you handling the stress of the corona virus? Have you seen your skin react in a negative way to the stress? Do you have any good tips that have helped you and your skin right now? Please share your experiences below in the comments. I'd love to know!
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Wishing you the best and stay well!
