Things go slack when one feels down and not having the energy to care for or do something basic is a constant struggle. The act of simply washing your hair or changing into new fresh clothes can be difficult and challenging. Our mental health plays a vital role in how we live our lives and when things get too overwhelming, we forget to take care of our bodies. Some days may be rough; however, as hard it is to believe, you have all the power to change that. Studies have shown that maintaining a skincare and haircare routine can help fight mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
In this article:
- The Psychological Connection of The Mind and The Skin
- 4 Ways How Your Skin & Hair Care Routine Can Keep You Sane
Read on to know more about how our mind and skin are connected and how a daily skin and hair routine can support better mental health.
The Psychological Connection of The Mind and The Skin
Do you ever notice that when you are feeling sad or anxious, a pimple pops up and your skin feels dull? Or what about when you get into a bad mental state because your acne is flaring up? Turns out, there is a strong connection between the mind and the skin.
The skin is the largest organ in the body and is also extremely sensitive. When we are stressed, anxious, or depressed, it can show on our skin in the form of breakouts, rashes, or even premature aging. Conversely, taking care of our skin can help to improve our mood and overall sense of well-being.
There are several ways that the mind and the skin are connected. For one, the skin is an important part of the body’s nervous system. It contains a variety of receptors that can pick up on changes in the environment and send signals to the brain. Additionally, the skin is home to a type of bacteria known as microbiome. This microbiome is important for maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria on the skin, and it can be adversely affected by stress and other psychological factors.
The connection between the mind and the skin is also evident in the way that skin disorders can affect a person’s mental health. For example, people with eczema or psoriasis are at increased risk for anxiety and depression. Additionally, the physical pain and itchiness associated with these conditions can further contribute to psychological distress.
So how exactly does practicing a daily skincare and haircare routine improve your mental health? Here are 4 ways it can keep you sane:
4 Ways How Your Skin & Hair Care Routine Can Keep You Sane
1. Routine Keeps You from Spiraling Down
People on Reddit have expressed how maintaining a simple skincare routine helped them pull themselves together and kept them from spiraling down into an unhealthy emotional and mental state.
One Reddit user shared:
“I too, have long suffered with depression and social anxiety. I also often find myself feeling unable to find the motivation to apply even simple skincare products. However, I have often found once I have done, I have felt refreshed and feel somewhat ‘content’”
Having a routine is very important in tackling mental health. This provides a person with something to look forward to and a purpose. Knowing that you did something that day, even as simple as finishing your skincare routine, already feels like a huge accomplishment. It gives your life direction and gives you a sense of contentment and happiness.
2. Gives You Serotonin and Confidence Boost
Getting a new skincare product in the mail or trying out a new hairstyling tool can give you the serotonin boost that you deeply need. The excitement that comes from knowing that you will have glowing skin and fabulous hair after finishing your routine can give you an exhilarating confidence boost. Practicing self-care or pampering yourself by sticking to a daily routine can trigger happy chemicals to your head that will then signal your brain that you feel lifted and happy. It will keep your mind from thinking of self-destructive thoughts and focus on positivity.
3. Help Fight Depression and Anxiety
There is no question that a good skincare routine can make you feel better about yourself. Anything that involves self-care and routines can help in managing stress and anxiety. So, how does this work? Some studies suggested that the act of taking care of your skin helps to boost your self-esteem and body image.
Depression can cause you to lose interest in activities that you used to enjoy, including taking care of your appearance. This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and worthlessness. But by making an effort to take care of your skin, you’re sending yourself the message that you are worth taking care of. This, in turn, can lead to improved mental health, reduction of anxiety, boosted self-esteem, and improved mood.
So, if you're feeling down, why not try starting a skincare routine? It just might be the boost you need to get out of your cave.
4. Provides Stability and Control
Depression can make it difficult to stick to a daily routine. But having a set skincare routine can help give your day some structure and purpose.
The feeling of stability and control that a good skincare routine can provide is something that we all crave during times of uncertainty. Taking care of our skin can be a small but powerful way to help us feel anchored and in control when everything else feels out of our hands.
For many of us, our skin is the first thing people see when they look at us. It's our largest organ and it's one of the things that we have the most control over. So, why not use that control to our advantage Creating and following a skincare routine can help to improve our skin's appearance and give us a sense of calm during chaotic times. Plus, it can be a fun and relaxing way to spend some time pampering ourselves.
Need Someone to Talk to Regarding your Mental State?
If you are concerned about your skin or mental health, it is important to talk to a doctor or other healthcare provider. You may visit the Mental Health America website or call the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 and a trained mental health specialist will talk to you.