The stress hormone cortisol acts as a powerful steroid that shuts down one part of the immune system (making you more susceptible to colds and flu) but cranks up another, making you more susceptible to allergens. In a Japanese study of 26 patients with atopic dermatitis, patients experienced a reduction in their symptoms – even when they were exposed to the allergen that triggered them – for two hours after watching a funny movie. The laughter produced by the movie probably reduced levels of stress hormones.
5. Cold sores
Stress affects many different immune cells negatively, which causes flare-ups of immunity-related skin conditions such as cold sores (along with psoriasis, eczema, shingles, and viral warts).
6. Frown lines
Repeated frowning causes frown lines, and most people frown without knowing it. You can try to will yourself to smile, but if you are under chronic stress or have many negative thoughts and emotions, these forced smiles won't last. Indeed, a natural, long-lasting smile comes only from positive emotions that make you want to smile.
7. Dryness
Stress reduces the lipid barrier on the skin, allowing fluids to evaporate and leading to dryness.
8. Dullness
When the stress response kicks in chronically, skin cells take longer to reach the skin surface and flake off, allowing dead skin cells to build up and causing your skin to look dull.
Check out these 10 simple ways to reduce stress.
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Excerpted from Stop Aging, Start Living by Jeannette Graf, M.D. and Alisa Bowman. Excerpted with permission from Crown Publishers, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publishers.
