Mindfulness has become a buzzword in the selfcare community, and for good reason. Studies show that using this approach in therapy can help manage depression, chronic mood disorders, and anxiety, as well as improve working memory, enhance conflict resolution abilities, and increase neuroplasticity (adaptability of nerve fibers) in the brain.
As if the benefits listed above are not reason enough to consider practicing mindfulness, there is also the indirect benefit it has on physical health and appearance. Anyone who has had skin problems knows that what’s on the outside affects what’s on the inside, and vice versa. If you are able to improve your mental health by practicing mindfulness, you would be able to better manage the psychological triggers that influence your skin’s appearance, as well as the negative thoughts brought on by feelings of insecurity.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness refers to the state of mind in which a person is purposefully aware of the emotions, thoughts, and sensations they are experiencing at a given moment. It is a way of observing and accepting the present with no judgment. This concept has been around for centuries.
It may sound simple, but too often do our thoughts fly to the worries of the future and the events of the past, all the things we still need to do, and the things we should or shouldn’t have done. Instead of assessing the situation in front of us, we’re stuck in the past or in the future. This rumination and worrying takes up our time and mental resources, leaving us tired, frustrated, and hopeless.
Mindfulness throws a wrench into this cycle of negative thought patterns by rooting us in the present. But like any other skill, you need to practice it regularly in order to master it.
How can mindfulness influence appearance?
We have long known that emotions can trigger changes in our skin. We may blush when we’re embarrassed, we have goosebumps when we’re scared, we sweat when we’re nervous. There are many skin conditions that have been associated with stress, including acne, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Anxiety can cause compulsive behavior such as skin picking, itching, and hair pulling.
Stress can also indirectly affect our skin through changes in our habits. Depression can lead to poor hygiene habits and lack of self-care. Poor appetite and sedentary lifestyles also influence our health.
Mindfulness can help with emotional regulation by helping us realise that our negative thoughts do not represent a real, immediate threat. With practice, you can teach your mind to shift out of that high alert, fight-or-flight mode, and instead recognise the situation for what it is, rather than the catastrophe that your thoughts have made it out to be.
Mindfulness is also a way to train yourself to redirect valuable mental resources at will. Instead of spending all your time and energy worrying, mindfulness teaches you to divert it into sensory observation. Focusing on what you see, smell, hear, feel, and taste is much less taxing to our mental wellbeing than negative thought patterns. This way, you still have enough energy left over to take care of yourself.
Conclusion
The connection between emotional state and skin condition has been established by numerous studies. This would mean that skincare should not only involve the products you put on your skin, but also the way you process thoughts and regulate emotions.
Practicing mindfulness is a good way to support the treatment of stress-excacerbated skin conditions as well as stress-triggering skin conditions. With consistent practice, you can reap the full benefits of mindfulness and attain a healthy state both inside and out.
Unaffiliated External Mental Health Links:
https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
This content is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice.
Resources:
Davis, D. M., & Hayes, J. A. (2011). What are the benefits of mindfulness? A practice review of psychotherapy-related research. Psychotherapy (Chicago, Ill.), 48(2), 198–208. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022062
Kim, Min & Kim, Eun Joo & Kang, Byung & Lee, Hae. (2017). The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on the Biophysical Properties of Facial Skin. Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications. 07. 34-47. 10.4236/jcdsa.2017.71004.
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/psychosocial-factors-in-dermatology/
The information presented in this article is for general information and example purposes only, does not contain health advice specific for users and must not be relied on for that purpose. SkinKitz does not provide any mental health advice or treatment. If you are experiencing any mental health concerns, please see your GP or mental health professional.
