Did you know that the condition of your skin is a reflection of your overall health?
If you are dealing with acne, rosacea, eczema, premature aging or other skin conditions, then you may need to consider healing your digestive system and taking other preventative measures.
Many of us indulge in a little processed food now and then. While we know it can affect the waistline did you know that it affects the condition of your skin?
Processed foods lead to a slower digestion which causes an increase of toxins in the body. With an increased level of toxins in your body comes inflammation. Inflammation alone can increase our morning puffiness, but it also can be a factor in acne, eczema and wrinkles.
Another precaution we can take is in the consumption of dairy. Milk, especially skim milk, triggers inflammation and redness in the skin due to the casein and whey. Consider limiting your intake or instead using alternate “milks” from nuts, seeds and other natural sources. Yogurts and many cheeses are fermented and consequently do not have the same adverse effect. In some instances, they can negate the adverse effects of the milk. Kimchi and kombucha are also made from fermentation processes and can increase the probiotic levels in the digestive system. In addition, a natural supplement of probiotics with at least 10 billion CFU can help to restore the proper balance to the digestive tract as well.
Sleep is also a major factor in the overall health of our skin. Our skin naturally has collagen in it. Collagen is what gives the youthful elasticity that we all crave in our skin. When we have insufficient sleep our stress levels increase. When the body is under stress it increases the levels of cortisol in the system. Cortisol is the main culprit for breaking down collagen in the skin and signs of premature aging. If we want healthy youthful skin, it is imperative to get sufficient sleep and reduce the amount stress we are experiencing.
A good way to eliminate some stress in our life and directly affect the condition of our skin is to increase our water intake, exercise and spend more time in nature.
Exercise immediately diminishes stress levels as endorphins are released into the body. It also increases the blood flow in the body and specifically to the skin. Toxins can be removed and nutrients delivered to the skin in a much more effective and efficient manner when there is proper hydration and blood flow in the body. Vigorous exercise also produces sweat. Sweating is essential to naturally and deeply clean out the pores of the skin and release toxins.
Recent studies published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that regular time in nature helps to relieve stress and anxiety, reduce cortisol levels, and increase feelings of happiness and well-being. Other studies have also shown that if you can't get out in nature, even just looking at nature pictures or listening to nature sounds will also help with reducing stress and increasing calmness and relaxation.
Healthy glowing skin is completely achievable. It is as simple as being mindful of what foods we consume, increasing our probiotics, getting sufficient sleep, keeping hydrated, exercising and connecting with nature.