Is there a connection between stress and skin?

A study suggests that psychological stress affects skin, psychological stress was linked to weaker bacteria-fighting ability in the skin, there are plenty of ways to manage stress like exercise, meditation, setting priorities, and counseling may all help with stress management.

It depends! If it's too much unhandled stress, that negatively affects your health overall, including your skin.

Stress is a normal part of life. Stress triggers certain physical responses that prepare your body "to run for its life" - which is okay on a short-term basis but not constantly. The hormones that are triggered by stress are actually destructive over an extended period of time, and so you get health problems if you have too much unmanaged stress.

For a great definition of stress, check out http://www.improving-health-and-energy.com/stress-affect-lifestyle.html

Cheers,
BB

When you are stressed, you produce cortisol, a hormone that stimulates the skin's oil glands. If you have oily face, you are more prone to having acne.

Hi HealthWealth,

When you live a stressful life, your whole body seems to be affected by several conditions - both emotionally and physically - immune system, digestion, which eventually, results to bad skin. So have a good diet, sleep well and RELAX.

- lisa_zee -

^Thus, you need to do something to counter the stress - that is, exercise! You also need to drink plenty of water for hydration. Finally, cut down sodium and sugar - they're bad for the health (generally speaking).

It's true, there are plenty of ways to manage stress that don't require the creation of new drugs. Exercise, meditation, setting priorities, and counseling may all help with stress management. The bottom line is that if the dermatologist and patient are both aware that the stressors exist, then they are better suited to deal with problem, but if no-one talks about it, it can't be addressed.

Thanks for all the tips! I try to apply it all and hopefully live stress free and healthy skin.