Nowadays, we hear more and more about the effects of stress. In our lives, we have to face many difficult situations that lead to stress. We probably will not be able to eliminate them, but we can do a lot to cope with them. Stress is a factor that threatens physical, mental, social and spiritual balance. The effect of psychological stress on an individual depends primarily on how he perceives the stress he experiences, how he evaluates it and whether he resists it (Folkman (2000). For the proper management of stressful situations, there are many professionals and books available that formulate exercises (e.g. breathing exercises, visualization) that can help us overcome these obstacles.
You might not think it, but stress and anxiety are not good for your skin either. Usually, our emotions are reflected on our faces, but in the case of stress, it is more than that: every stressful encounter is perceived by the central nervous system and converted into biological responses by stimulating the hypothalamus and activating the pituitary gland (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis). This then activates the autonomic nervous system, which results in the release of neurotransmitters (neuropeptides and hormones) and affects the effector systems of the body's periphery (e.g. immune system, cardiovascular system, fat, muscle, tissue) (McEwen et al. (2010).
In response to contact with a stress factor, activated keratinocytes in the skin produce and secrete various cytokines and chemokines that regulate inflammatory and immune responses in the skin.
Recent research literature has linked high levels of psychological stress to various skin and other diseases (e.g. psoriasis vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, pruritus, chronic urticaria, human papillomavirus infections, warts, hair loss) (Lugović-Mihić (2013).
The complex of skin reactions to stress can influence skin diseases, which also affects the severity of the disease. If we properly manage these stressful situations, we benefit not only our mental but also our physical health.
Many things can help you relax, including sports, music, dancing, a hug, or even a soothing cosmetic treatment.
Source:
Dayrit, JF, Sugiharto, A., Coates, SJ, Lucero‐Prisno III, DE, Davis, MDD, & Andersen, LK (2022). Climate change, human migration, and skin disease: is there a link?. International journal of dermatology, 61(2), 127-138.
Folkman, S., & Moskowitz, JT (2000). Positive affect and the other side of coping. American psychologist, 55(6), 647.
McEwen, BS, & Gianaros, PJ (2010). Central role of the brain in stress and adaptation: links to socioeconomic status, health, and disease. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1186(1), 190-222.
Lugović-Mihić, L., Ljubešić, L., Mihić, J., Vuković-Cvetković, V., Troskot, N., & Šitum, M. (2013). Psychoneuroimmunologic aspects of skin diseases. Acta Clinica Croatica, 52(3), 337-345.
