According to Ayurveda, stress
can trigger, or aggravate skin disorders such as acne, hives, eczema,
psoriasis, rosacea, warts, cold sores and blisters. This is because skin is an organ, connected to our
physiology and also our mind. Skin
is affected by stress much as any other organ would be. In stressful situations the
fight-or-flight mechanism kicks in, sending the flow of blood and nutrients to
areas of the body that are necessary to respond to the stress, and away from
areas considered non-essential, such as the skin. If this happens often enough, the skin is deprived of both
blood and oxygen, making it dull, dry, and more prone to clogged pores. Stress impacts our immune system, and
also our digestion. Poor digestion
affects skin health because the nutrients of the foods are not properly
absorbed, and the undigested impurities accumulate in the body faster than the
body can get eliminate them. What
to do? Ayurveda recommends a
holistic system for stress management and skin health:
-Meditate to help keep the
mind and emotions balanced.
-Eat a balanced diet of
fresh foods recommended for your dosha.
Avoid caffeine.
-Make sure you get the
sleep you need, both quantity and quality
-Exercise, but don’t overdo
it. Practice yoga, pranayama
(breathing exercises) and walk to relax the mind and tone the body.
Absolute Beauty: Radiant
Skin and Inner Harmony with the Ancient Secrets of Ayurveda
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