In a society where everything moves quickly, we also want to see fast results. When we have a headache, we quickly reach for paracetamol, while a headache usually wants to tell you that you might have taken on too much in the last few days and that you need to slow down. The “pressure” literally becomes too high.
To speak from my own experience, this is often the case with skin problems as well. From my experience as a skin therapist, I can say that many issues ultimately stem from stress, which is often chronic. It also makes it clear that skin problems often reflect what is happening in our bodies and mind.
Coping behaviour can be a result of stress on the body. Think about smoking, drinking alcohol in various amounts, poor nutrition, picking at the skin, or scratching/pinching. This is often unconscious behaviour. Many people do not connect their old habits to current complaints because they have “always done it this way.” The body can give signals for years that we ignore until it manifests in a way we can no longer overlook. Often, I see fatigue accompany skin issues, as well as digestive problems, emotional issues, weight changes, palpitations, or breathing problems. Unfortunately, this is often seen as normal. But these are precisely the signals your body is sending you. We have simply forgotten how to feel or listen to these signals.
As I mentioned at the beginning of my article, we live in a society where we just want a cream or a pill for the aforementioned complaints and skin problems. Of course, this can make a difference, but often these are short-term solutions.
Therefore, I want to inspire you towards a long-term solution. So, let’s start at the beginning. It’s time to turn inward again, go back to basics, and learn to listen to the signals from our bodies. But be aware, that this is not a quick fix. This requires discipline, awareness, and a lifestyle change.
- Meditation
Many people are unaware of their feelings and thoughts, especially in our busy society. Meditating for 10 to 20 minutes daily provides the opportunity to pause and turn inward. This allows you to observe your thoughts and emotions without reacting immediately, leading to greater self-knowledge and inner peace. Meditation creates space for self-reflection, reduces stress, and helps you view situations from a distance. This results in clarity, enabling you to make more conscious, healthier choices in daily life.
Everyone nowadays has a Spotify account filled with guided meditations. Find someone you connect with and whose voice you enjoy. I find the meditations by Michael Pilarzich very pleasant; give it a try if you don’t know where to start.
- Nutrition
What I often hear in practice is, “Yes, but I eat healthily.” My first question is, “What is your definition of healthy eating?” This can vary from person to person. Furthermore, I don’t believe in a single dietary pattern that is universally healthy for everyone. This perspective is more aligned with Ayurveda and orthomolecular therapy. Here are a few practical tips for a good start:
- Eliminate soft drinks from your daily routine. Alcohol too, of course. 😉
- Plan and prepare your meals.
- No more processed or packaged snacks. Make your own instead!
- Start your day with a healthy breakfast; this ensures a good start. People are often more motivated to choose other meals and snacks more consciously afterwards.
- Opt for lavender tea, chamomile tea, mint tea or ginger tea.
- Sleep
Implement an improved sleep pattern. I don’t need to explain that sleep is essential for the recovery of body and mind. A lack of sleep can affect not only your energy levels but also your skin, hormones, and mental clarity. - (Yin) Yoga!
You might be thinking: “What will body poses do for my skin?” Well, yoga has a rejuvenating effect on your body. This has to do with fascia. Fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, organs, and other structures in the body, plays an important role in Yin Yoga and can have a rejuvenating effect on both body and mind. By providing prolonged stretching and relaxation during Yin Yoga, flexibility increases and muscle tension decreases. This improves circulation, allowing oxygen and nutrients to be transported better to the cells, resulting in a healthier and more youthful appearance. Moreover, the calming nature of Yin Yoga helps to reduce stress, contributes to better mental and emotional well-being, and fosters a deeper connection between body and mind.
You can easily start a Yin Yoga class by playing a YouTube video at home. Starting doesn’t have to be difficult. Motivate and discipline yourself in this. However, nothing beats attending a yoga class in a pleasant space, where you are personally guided by an instructor. He or she can also correct you so you know you’re in the right pose.
I hope this article has provided you with some insight into finding balance, peace, and routine in daily life. You could say this is a beautiful beginning to returning to yourself. However, often you need to make a complete 360-degree turn. Learn to evaluate your relationships, for example. Are the people you interact with daily good for you? Do they give you energy, or do they drain it? Also, think about your job. Do you go to work every day with joy? Or is it time for something new?
If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten. And with that, I will conclude the article.
Namaste, dear all!
