Zeno

Beauty through the science of heat

Posts Tagged ‘beauty tips’

  
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    Stress and Beauty

    Friday, August 19th, 2011

    We all know stress can take its toll on our health; chronic stress can contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure, hives, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, anxiety disorders and depression, among other health problems. But what about your appearance? Did you know that stress can also take its toll on how you look?

    It’s true. A stressful lifestyle can magnify fine lines and wrinkles – “worry lines” – and trigger skin rashes and breakouts. In some cases, stress can even lead to hair loss. Stress can cause insomnia, making you look tired and generally worn out. And many of us become susceptible to catching colds and flus when we’re under stress, which gives us an overall unwell appearance. Then there’s the fact that stress often sends people to their favorite (unhealthy) coping mechanisms, such as overeating (or undereating), smoking, and drinking – all of which can affect your appearance for the worse.

    So what’s a busy, stressed-out girl to do? I mean, whatever is causing your stress probably isn’t going anywhere soon. So the key is to learn how to manage it better, so your natural beauty doesn’t end up suffering.

    When stress is getting the better of you, try physical activity like your favorite workout, a scenic bicycle ride, a stroll in the park, or a yoga class. While working up a sweat is great, it’s not required; sometimes just being out in nature or with other people, moving your body, is enough to calm stress.

    Another good strategy is to engage in a specific relaxation-focused activity. Yoga, again, is great for this. But so are tai chi, meditation, deep breathing, visualization, even prayer or visiting a church or temple if you’re religious. Anything that quiets your thoughts and soothes your soul will lower your stress level.

    Eat well, take your vitamins, and get enough sleep. A strong immune system is better able to handle stress, and these things are all integral to good immunity. If you have serious sleep problems and just can’t conk out at night, see your doctor for help.

    Identify your support system – and use them. Connection with others may be the most powerful stress reliever there is. No one likes to feel alone, and there’s something about talking through your problems with an empathic friend, family member, co-worker, counselor, or neighbor that can often cut through stress like nothing else.

    In the end, your health and how you feel are way more important than how you look, but the fact is, chronic stress will get you from all sides eventually. Learn to manage stress better now, and you’ll be happier, healthier, and more beautiful for years to come.

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    Five Steps to Happiness

    Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

    Being happy can seem like an elusive goal if you don’t know how to go about it.  While it seems like happiness (or maybe, lack of stress) would be your natural state, it turns out that having a few habits in place really help when it comes to getting  (and staying) happy.

    If you’re looking for happiness, try taking these five steps to find it.

    1. Be grateful. The first step to feeling happy is to be grateful for what you have. That can be very difficult, particularly in a bad situation, so it might be helpful to have a gratitude journal. No matter how horrible your day has been, write down 3 things you are thankful for each night before going to bed. Don’t just write them down, focus on them and feel good about them. Some days, your list might include some pretty tiny things, like “My co-workers were quiet for a whole hour”. It doesn’t matter, over time you’ll find that you notice more and more things to make you happy.

    2. Do something you love. Not everyone can drop their job and go make a living at what they love, though if that is an option, go for it! No matter what you do during the day, make sure you have some time set aside in the evening or even on the weekend to do something you really enjoy. If you like to paint, take an hour on Saturday to do just that. If reading or just hanging with friends is your thing, schedule it in!

    3. Identify the bad things. What is making you unhappy? Make a list of everything that is getting you down. It might be that what you’re dealing with is just a lot of little things that are affecting you adversely. Or maybe it’s one big thing and a few little things. Either way, write them all down so you at least have the problem(s) identified.

    4. Plan a change. Now that you know what is hindering your happiness, it’s time to plan out a solution . . . and then execute it. Can’t stand your job? Start looking for a new one, or begin making money online in the evenings. Sick of living in your house? Figure out how much you need to move and then save that money up and do it. Often little things affect us, too. Maybe you haven’t had much alone time with your spouse lately. Hire a babysitter and make date night happen, against all odds.

    5. Go for a walk, or to the gym, or…well, you get the point.  Move your body!  Studies show that diet and exercise can be as effective as anti-depressants, so the next time you’re feeling blue, definitely get off the couch and start that exercise momentum going.  Think of it this way—if you absolutely can’t find something to feel grateful about for exercise # 1, “At least I exercised” can go to the top of the list.

    Start one or more of these practices, and in no time you’ll see these little changes making a big difference, both in your happiness level AND your health and beauty.