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How To Manage Stress in AcneLearning and implementing the techniques on how to manage stress in acne will go a long way not only in clearing your acne, but also improving your overall quality of life. A well chosen and effective stress management program will complement the conventional therapies of moderate to very severe acne. This article will briefly outline the most effective steps to be taken to how to manage stress in acne. The Importance of Learning How to Manage Stress in Acne If your acne attacks are moderately severe and persistent, it is high time you sat up and listened to your skin and body. Something is amiss! Stress being an important factor in the initiation, maintenance and aggravation of acne, it is essential that we include a regular stress management program along with the conventional acne treatment protocol. There have been many studies which answered the question "Does Stress Affect Acne?" in the affirmative and many theories have been put forward regarding how stress affects acne. The inference: stress affects acne in more ways than was ever thought of. The message is plain and clear- if acne has to be tackled properly and effectively, one has to learn how to manage stress in acne. No shortcuts there. Learning how to manage the stress in our day to day life requires some disciplined training on our part. By inherent nature or because of some irrational beliefs or social commitments, we tend to forget to relax on a regular basis. Our mind and body remain in a state of perpetual stress mode, eventually leading to exhaustion, ill-health and breakdown. The following is a compilation of how to manage stress Tips for the acne sufferers.
10 Tips on How to Manage Stress in Acne Acne Stress Tip 1: Analyze Your Responses to Life Events. Whether you are an adolescent student, a middle aged housewife or a young salesman, if you are getting recurrent acne and the acne is not responding to conventional treatment in a satisfactory manner , it is time to have an introspective session with your life! (Some hormonal tests are also called for, especially in the case of the middle aged housewife, as certain diseases affecting the ovaries, like the Polycystic Ovarian Disease, can cause acne eruptions among other symptoms). Start a diary to record the events in your day to day life. To begin with, prepare a table with 3 columns. In the first column, note down any event during the day when you felt uncomfortable, uneasy or irritated (e.g.: Your lab partner commented on your behavior towards another colleague of yours). In the second column, record how you responded physically and emotionally to the event. ( You trembled, heart beat increased, breathing became shallow and fast, you became angry and shouted at your friend, "mind your own business". Rest of the day you were unhappy and avoided even eye contact with your friend). Analyze how you could have responded in a positive manner so that you could have avoided the unnecessary stress. See how to manage stress tip 4 for filling up the 3rd column. Acne Stress Tip 2: Recognize Your Stress Problems. Most people refuse to recognize their stress problems. They take the easy way out: run away from it. The result: stress keep adding up and reach a point of explosion. The first step in learning how to manage stress in acne is to recognize the stressors or the events that induce stress in you. These may be at the personal, social, professional or family levels. Keeping a diary as suggested in how to manage stress tip 1 is the first step in recognizing your stress problems. Acne Stress Tip 3: Accept You Have a Stress Problem, if You Have One. Once you have recognized that you have a stress problem, the next step is accepting it as such. This not only gives you a firm base to start creating your own positive plan of action, but also provides with the much needed boost of self confidence and sense of responsibility. You accept your responsibility to take the reigns of your life into your own hands. You will stop blaming others for your failures. You will train yourself to visualize each failure as a challenge- a challenge for improvement. Acne Stress Tip 4: Take Specific Steps for Correction: Reframing Situations. This is the positive outcome of the previous 3 steps: analyze, recognize, accept; then- ACT! Take your diary out again and start filling the 3rd column now. In the example given in tip#1, change your response to something positive:
Not only is this approach less stressful, it also helps you gain the confidence and support of your partner. Another added bonus is the benefit of a free advice: you may actually improve yourself! Learning to accept positive criticism in life is an important lesson in stress management. Go back to each stressful event of the day. Realize that there are many ways to approach a problem. Reframe the situation so as to look at it in the least stressful manner, and, if possible, even feel better about it! Reframing situations in this manner is considered to be one of the most powerful and creative stress reducers. Acne Stress Tip 5: Learn to View Your Acne as a Common Disease You are one among millions of acne sufferers! Acne is so common that almost 85% of adults would have experienced acne outbreak at least once during their life time. Take comfort in the knowledge that you are suffering from a common disease. It is not a 'dirty' or repulsive disease. There are very effective treatments available for acne. If you are afraid to take medicines, there are other options as well, especially for the mild varieties of acne. Learn to view your acne as a minor nuisance and not as a big problem. This attitude will go a long way in reducing the stress induced by the disease itself and learning how to manage stress in acne. Acne Stress Tip 6: Learn a Complete Step by Step Stress Management Program If you feel too much stressed out, it is advisable to get expert help in the form of a stress management program, specially devised for you. A perfect Stress Management Program will benefit you in a number of ways:
A relaxation program with all the above benefits, and some more, is available for download from this site. Acne Stress Tip 7: Learn and Apply Regular Relaxation Techniques Once you have equipped yourself with a complete stress management program, learn a few relaxation techniques and practice it daily from the comfort of your home. Acne Stress Tip 8: Take Professional Help to Manage Your Acne If there are signs of inflammation or pus filled acne bumps, consult a dermatologist at the earliest to control your acne. Timely treatment will go a long way in preventing acne scar and blemish formation and also reduce further stress from the disease itself. Acne Stress Tip 9: Stick to a Well Balanced Diet, Regular Exercise and Restful Sleep Needless to say, a healthy body is essential for a healthy mind. A nutritionally well balanced diet, regular, moderate exercise and restful sleep are essential requirements for both. Avoiding junk food is equally important in the management of stress in acne. Acne Stress Tip 10: Be Happy and Make Others Happy! Happiness is infective. Try to be pleasant always. Present a smiling face to the world. You will find even strangers smiling back and the number of friendly acquaintances growing steadily. Make it your life's mission to put the smile back into the hearts and minds of those with whom you come into contact, whether at home or at work place. The advantage? You will find your own stress relieved by helping others relieve theirs! This is my best stress relieving tip. Click here to learn more about With the help of 10 Days to Stress Free Life.
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