The source of stress and worry could be something as trivial as shopping or as serious as the thought of adjusting in a new family. Whatever the reason, the effects will be the same- nasty reflections not just on your skin and hair, but on your overall health as well! Here we tell you about seven shocking ways stress can affect your looks and health. These will compel you to take some steps towards de-stressing right away.
1. Memory plays a ruckus!
It has been proved that stress can shrink your hippocampus, which is the area of the brain that controls your short-term memory. So, if you notice that you are becoming forgetful by the day, it is a clear warning sign that you need to slow down and relax. Forgetting everyday things can lead to more stress because many important appointments can slip from your mind. Identify the stressors, and release yourself from their trap. How about a pyjama party to unwind with your best friends?
2. Nagging tummy aches!
No, we are not talking about the butterflies in your stomach, but actual stomach aches! When fatigued due to stress and constant worry, your brain signals the release of stress hormones in the digestive system, which can cause nausea and stomach irritation. So, the next time your tummy hurts with no definite reason to cite, it is probably pre-wedding stress that is eating you up! Under intense stress, some people even suffer from diarrhoea. If you do not want to make frequent trips to the washroom on your big day, try relaxing from this very minute.
3. Occasional nosebleeds!
Nosebleeds in extremely hot summers are common for many people. But, if you have been suffering from occasional nosebleeds, even while indoors, you can blame it all on stress. A study published in 2001 in the British Medical Journal, states that stress can lead to the blood pressure shooting up, which can cause the fine blood vessels to tear, leading to a bleeding nose. All you need to do is at least try and stop worrying, and get 6-8 hours of undisturbed sleep every night, along with a short nap in the afternoons, if possible.
4. The never-wanted breakouts!
Your skin can stress out too, if you are busy worrying all day about the tailor messing with your choli design or the caterer suddenly turning you down. Stress increases the secretion of cortisol that triggers the sebaceous glands to go into anti-inflammatory mode, producing sebum- the thick, waxy oil, responsible for acne. The situation can become worse if you are already acne-prone or have oily skin. You definitely don’t want a bump on your face to ruin your bridal look!
5. Common cold gets too common!
The most apparent effect of stress is reduced immunity because of which you become vulnerable to the most common ailment- cold. The stress hormone, cortisol, suppresses your immune system, and this naturally reduces your body’s defences against the bacteria and viruses present in the air. So, if you have been sneezing and wiping a runny nose a lot lately, blame it all on the situations you have been stressing about. You certainly do not want to carry a tissue around on your big day!
6. Hair woes adding to stress!
Your genes or harmful chemicals in your shampoo can be a reason for your hair fall. But, stress can induce abnormal hair fall, which in itself can be enough reason to worry further! Stress-induced inflammation can weaken hair follicles causing it to fall out. Even though the hair tries to grow back to how it was, once the stress subsides, it might take a long time. If you wish to flaunt thick, lustrous locks on your special day, keep stress at bay. Regular meditation and gentle head massages can work wonders.
7. Sweaty embarrassments!
It is a very well-known fact that too much stress can lead to panic, which leads to sweaty palms and feet. But, if you continue to stress for extended periods, you can sweat profusely, making it a pattern; meaning, every time you think a worrisome thought, you can start to perspire a lot, says a 2010 study published in the Public Library of Science Journal. Too much perspiration can lead to embarrassing situations, with sweat marks and body odour. The more relaxed you are about situations, the less you will sweat.
Pre-wedding stress can prove disastrous, and you would probably never even realise where or what triggered it. Sure, you have to be on your toes, especially a few weeks before the wedding. But try to set some time aside everyday to de-stress, and simply enjoy the moment. It will help to make your wedding day as wonderful as you always dreamed it to be.
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