Publications
Partners
Stress tends to be a semi-natural part of life for most. Whether super rich or dirt poor, we all seem to have more than 99 problems at any given time - or at least we convince ourselves of this daily. Even at night - when we're supposed to be sleeping! Not only is stress bad for our sleeping routine, it can also wreak havoc on our physical looks, i.e. your body and your face.
Here are a few great products, treatments and exercises that have helped us to de-stress:
For weight gain
During times of stress, especially chronic stress, some people tend to reach for unhealthy options like fast food. Shape says that many people suffer from emotional rather than physical hunger. We eat emotionally when we are stressed, depressed, anxious, etc. Break the cycle by getting your mind off food and get those legs moving - yes, even in winter.
Find it difficult to get yourself motivated? Try some form of exercise that you love doing and do so in a group. Try to get active with a friend or join an Adventure Bootcamp in your area. I've been doing bootcamp now for the last two months and can already feel my stress-levels decreasing. Believe me, the best motivation is that someone (be it your bootcamp friends or the trainer) will always know that you didn't show up for class..
For tense muscles and minds
Then to ease your tense muscles, try Mio’s Liquid Yoga (R580, 200ml). It is a crafty blend of everything that turns a mere bath into a spa sensation. The combination of Espom Salts, Arnica oil, menthol, basil, sage and other soothing herbs is a treat for sore muscles and stress of both mind and body. It’s a fresh, soothing experience that leaves the skin soft and moisturised.
Our editor Lili Radloff is a connoisseur of all things bath related – seriously, it's her favourite thing in the world – and she says that bath time is definitely enhanced because of the softness of the water and the fresh menthol smell. Unlike almost all other bath soaks and salts and foams, Mio does not upset the delicate balance of your ladybits, so that’s a massive plus if you’re prone to yeast infections.
I recently visited Skin Renewal at the Oasis Spa in Cape Quarter, where instead of superficially treating a specific problem, they try to target the root cause by looking at various factors which might affect your stress levels, sleep pattern, etc . I tried the Soul of Africa, Body Conditioning Massage with Africology products - my favourite was the Energising body oil with notes of black pepper and rosemary. The treatment helps you to de-stress, as the marula oil blended with Neroli acts to fight signs of ageing with its anti-stress action.
For skin and hair
According to Allure, chronic stress, experienced over time, can lead to a weakening of the skin's barrier function. Because hormones remain elevated during times of intense stress, they suppress the immune system.
Skin is thus left either very oily as skin might start to over produce oil from stress hormones according to All Women Talk; or it can get flaky, dry or very dehydrated says Cosmo US. Many also experience breakouts and itchy rashes according to Everyday Health. The same can be said for hair, hair tends to break much more easily during times of stress. Some even experience hair loss or hair thinning at such times.
Be sure to drink a lot of water during hyper-stressful times and remember to lay-low on the coffee and alcohol as this can lead to more dehydration.
Always stay moisturised from head to toe, no matter the season. Here are some of my suggested hydrating products for dewy, glowing skin.
Treat distressed hair with a good hair oil every two to three days. I personally love Argan Oil's hair treatment hair oil to combat dry, brittle hair.
Images: Supplied
For more beauty advice, tips and tricks, go here.
