“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” Parties, presents, cookies, shopping, holiday pageants, choir practice, it seems that the December calendar is filled before Thanksgiving. We all want to strive to make the holidays better for our families, but sometimes it can come at a price. It is no secret that this can be a very stressful time of year for moms.
And while it seems like a small sacrifice in comparison to the joy on your children’s faces, over time stress can cause some changes in your face. And they aren’t always lovely.
When your mind is undergoing stress, you release hormones that affect your body. Adrenaline – known for the fight or flight response also can cause blood to be redirected from your face causing you to appear drained. Cortisol is another stress hormone that will slow cell growth and even break down collagen- which keeps your skin looking firm. This can cause your skin to look thinner and increase the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Some of us manifest stress in acne or sensitivity flare-ups, over time stress can even can even lead to increased susceptibility to sun damage. Add in some inflammation and your skin will not look its best for the holidays.
Do your skin- and your family – a favor and try to squeeze in some time to manage stress this month.
- Skip the mall and shop online as much as possible. Be mindful of shipping deadlines to avoid the need to rush gifts.
- Remember-less is more when it comes to your little ones. We keep it from getting crazy with this simple rule- something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read. This helps them to prioritize instead of asking for the toy in every commercial.
- Streamline your shopping. Sometimes a luxurious hand lotion for your dog walker would also be a great gift for your child’s teacher and your grab bag gift for work. Don’t reinvent the wheel and run all over finding 6 unique gifts when 6 lotions will do. This only works if it is something they would appreciate. Ask yourself- “would I re-gift this?”
- Combat breakouts with a sulfur based wash to unclog pores and benzoyl peroxide to prevent future breakouts.
- Sip some green tea and read a book, magazine, or blog you love, or Busy-Mom.com
- Experiment with aromatherapy. I love citrus essential oils.
- Stay hydrated. Drink extra water and use a skin care regimen for aging skin or sensitivity to stay moisturized.
- Go for a walk. Away from the shops and crowds. Or try yoga. You can skip the gym unless that’s your thing and search for a quick session on-demand or on youtube. Releasing endorphins will help boost your mood and battle stress.
- Lay off the sugar and alcohol. Indulge on the holidays and at the parties you truly look forward to instead of mindlessly eating cookies while wrapping presents – not that I have done that.
- And finally try to get some rest when you can. After the kids are tucked in, we all crave a few hours to unwind. Skip the Netflix and head to bed. Your que will be there in January.
You can only be your best when you take care of yourself- and your skin-will thank you!
