In “Don’t Let Stress Get the Best of Your Skin,” I talked about how stress can affect your skin. Dull, dry, oily skin and even wrinkles can be attributed to cortisol and other hormones your body produces when you get stressed out. Also when you get stressed, you often neglect some of the things that are good for your health and skin, such as eating right, getting enough sleep and exercising.
You can put the brakes on stress by establishing priorities, learning how to say no to extra activities and taking time to enjoy those things in life that make you feel good – a massage or a long walk with a friend (two or four legged). Another way to “destress” is meditate. Meditation helps your mind and body to relax and that lowers your cortisol level.
If you are new to meditation, Zen Habits recommends beginning with two minutes a day. Here are a few other tips to get started from “Meditation for Beginners: 20 Practical Tips for Understanding the Mind.”
- Don’t get caught up in the how – just do: Don’t worry about where and how you sit or what cushion you use, just get started. You can start by sitting on a chair, your bed or your couch. You may want to sit on the ground cross-legged. The goal is to sit somewhere quiet that is comfortable. As you build up the time you meditate, you can adjust what works best for you.
- Check in with how you are feeling: As you settle into meditation, simply check how you are feeling. How does your body feel; what is the quality of your mind? You may be tired or feel anxious. Understand what you are bringing to the session as much as you can.
- Count your breaths: Once you settle in, pay attention to your breathing. Try counting “one” as you take in your first breath, then count “two” as you breathe out. Repeat this to the count of 10; then start over.
- Come back when you wander: It’s no problem that your mind wanders; it’s going to. When you notice that your mind is wandering; smile and simply turn back counting your breaths. Expect that it will take time to stay focused.
- Don’t worry about clearing your mind: The goal of meditation is not to clear your mind or stop all thoughts. You won’t be able to shut down all your thoughts. Instead practice focusing your attention, and when your mind wanders, practice some more.
There are many sources on how to get started with meditation and keep at it. The goal as Zen Habits suggests is to just be happy you are meditating and enjoy the benefits for your mind, body and skin.
Another way to help your skin is with True Results Retinol Active Skincare. Retinols achieve their anti-aging results by protecting skin from free radicals and prompting surface skin cells to turn over and die rapidly so that new skin cells can grow. Retinols also slow down the breakdown of collagen.