Skincare Is Self-Care.
We live in a society that is prone to anxiety. Keeping up with the daily news, on top of the pressures to succeed personally and professionally, can be exhausting at times. With everything else on your plate, sticking to a daily skincare routine is probably not high on your priority list. Though, if your mental health has been a little iffy lately, you might be surprised to learn that a skincare routine could be just what you need.
A mindful skincare routine can help you feel better mentally. There is a great deal of evidence that indicates the mental health benefits of meditation, mindfulness, and self-care, and skincare plays a role in this. It's possible to turn your skincare routine into a meditative practice if you set aside time each morning and evening to do so.
Here are 3 ways it can definitely aid in your struggles with mental health;
1. Redirects your Focus from Spiralling to Doing Something Nice for Yourself
You may notice that certain times of the day may trigger your intrusive thoughts, but with self-care, you can break the cycle. You can get out of your thoughts and focus on what you're doing when you're doing something like washing, toning, and moisturising your face. (This applies to any activity that keeps you occupied, such as working on a new project, cooking dinner, or taking a walk around the neighbourhood with your dog.)
The act of caring for your skin also provides a chance to practise mindfulness. When you focus on the sensations you're having in the present now without passing judgment, you're practicing mindfulness (the soothing feel of warm water, for instance). According to the research of over 1,100 adults published in March 2019 in Frontiers in Psychology, this practice has been proven to reduce sadness and anxiety by reducing concern and rumination.
2. Skincare routine can provide structure and stability
With the pandemic still wreaking havoc in many regions around the world, life is still rather chaotic. All this unpredictability can impact negatively on your brain, leading to mental health problems.
Your brain, now more than ever, craves structure and stability in order to relax. Routines and habits help to engage and quiet the mind, giving you a sense of control. This principle can be applied to any element of your life; creating any positive habit or routine would be beneficial to your mental health, and a simple skincare routine is a fantastic place to start.
3. A skincare routine can help regulate stress
Although a small amount of stress is natural, chronic stress can have a significant negative impact on your mental health. Long-term stress has been linked to an increased risk of anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and substance abuse concerns, thus lowering your stress levels is essential.
A skincare routine can aid with this. According to experts, following a simple three-step routine can reduce cortisol, popularly known as the stress hormone, in your body by up to 83%. This could be due to various factors. The technique you massage your face when applying a product drops your heart rate and reduces feelings of anxiety, in addition to being soothing and boosting mindfulness.
Consider for a moment what a meditative skincare routine would involve for you. Perhaps you might listen to soothing music while reciting affirmations to yourself. Allow yourself the time and space to focus on YOU, whatever your skincare routine entails. Make your skincare routine something you look forward to doing every day, and you'll notice the change in your mental health!