Anti-Aging: 7 Tips to Reduce Stress that Causes Wrinkles

A healthy skin care routine and the best anti-aging wrinkle creams with SPF can help protect us from the sun and provide younger-looking skin, but it can’t protect us from all the stresses that come along with being an adult. Doesn’t it seem like the older we get, the more things there are to stress us out?

Experiencing stress is natural, and at the right times it can be a good thing. After all, it’s our body’s fight-or-flight response to an eminent threat.

When stressed, your body releases extra adrenaline, endorphins, enzymes and proteins to prepare you to survive whatever stressful situation you’re in. Many suggest that this is how people have exhibited seemingly superhuman strength when faced with a life-or-death situation.

The Negative Effects of Stress

Now don’t start planning your superhero costume and trying to hone any stress-induced Hulk strength just yet. Too much stress can have significant negative effects on your body.

Being stressed, especially for days or weeks on end, wears you down both physically and mentally. You can experience headaches, trouble sleeping, appetite changes, frequent mood swings and difficulty concentrating. Your appearance can take a hit too, as you may notice dark circles under your eyes and more pronounced frown lines, under eye wrinkles and more. (Check out the video below for tips on how to get rid of those pesky dark circles!)

It’s important to learn how to manage the stress in your life so it doesn’t take over. If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, try some of these stress relieving tips to rejuvenate yourself.

7 Tips to Reduce Stress

• Get some exercise.

  Exercise naturally releases stress-relieving hormones and endorphins in your body that can help calm you down. You don’t have to just go to the gym! Find some form of physical activity that you enjoy doing, like taking a walk with a friend, joining a recreational kickball league, or giving paddle boarding a try.

• Listen to music that you enjoy.

  Studies have shown that music not only reduces stress, it can also boost your body’s immune function to help you better deal with stress in the future.

• Color in a coloring book.

  Coloring helps you to turn off your brain from thinking about your stresses, and instead focus in the moment. Nowadays, there are tons of awesome adult coloring books to choose from, but any coloring book will do.

• Eat a healthy meal.

  Go ahead and splurge on that new organic restaurant and treat yourself to unprocessed foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, and whole grains. Stress can cause us to make unhealthy food choices, so your body may be deprived of certain key nutrients. Eating well can rebalance you and stabilize your mood. It’s also good for your skin, and helpful in your anti-aging battle to reduce wrinkles.

• Try a breathing exercise.

  Breathe in for 4 seconds. Hold for 7 seconds. Exhale for 8 seconds. Repeat as needed. Breathing exercises like this can help you slow down and refocus. There are many different breathing and meditation apps out there now that can guide you through more calming exercises.

• Indulge yourself in some “Me” time.

  You’ve been focusing on everyone else, now it’s time to take some time for YOU. Do an activity that brings YOU joy. And don’t be afraid to indulge yourself in the process. Whether it’s retail therapy, playing with puppies, shower karaoke or bubble baths, do something that makes you smile.

• Talk to someone.

  Being overly stressed may make you drop plans with friends and family, and can eventually leave you feeling alone and isolated. Call your mom, plan a brunch meeting, start a group text with your college friends you haven’t spoken to in a while. Whether you need to vent, laugh or just think about something else, it can be very beneficial.

These are just a few of the ways that you can help yourself relieve stress and feel better. Find what works best for you and implement it when needed. Reducing stress can help you live healthier and happier, as well as keep extra frown lines at bay.

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