Many times, we are unaware that stress is what triggers our strange skin flare-ups. It's a monster that speeds up the aging process and can cause a blemish to form directly over a wrinkle or an itchy rash to appear overnight on our arms or legs.
When our minds decide to go down a rabbit hole and make judgements about the day just before bed, it can be one of the most stressful times of the day. We desert residents already struggle with the damage the sun and heat do to our skin, let alone listening to ourselves list all the things we didn't get done.
But what if you made the period of time you spend getting ready for bed into a mindfulness practice that calms you down and gives you more happiness and contentment than anything else you did all day? Mindfulness is defined as "maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and surrounding environment" by the University of California Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley. The comfort and advantages of regimens that include this practice, such as your skincare routine, are well-supported by science. Start by cleaning your face gently with a creamy cleanser and savoring how strong your fingertips feel as they massage your chin and cheeks. You could check in with yourself as you pat your face dry by taking a moment to look in the mirror and see who you are right now. Check in with yourself not with judgement but with understanding.
A mist is another sensory experience that can immerse you in the present, especially if it is made for the desert and contains plenty of hydra tors and amino acids. Plum extract savoring a base of rose or Nero hydrosol is a treat not to be overlooked. A compliment for how well you take care of yourself would not be out of place for the time you took to be present just for the aroma.
If you have an oil serum, you might want to warm it in your hands before applying it to your face. As you do so, you can breathe in the oils' natural scent, feel them even out your skin tone, and let any anxiety bubble up beneath the surface. You might draw emphasis to your strength and cheekbones with a creamy moisturizer. You take a moment to softly message your jawline and are aware that you are giving off a shine that your friends will notice.
A body cream is waiting for you on your nightstand, so you can take care of your arms and legs as you go into bed. Then you get to enjoy feeling the bones in your arms and seeing the skin that may have been exposed to the elements for a little too long settle down and shine.
It won't matter whether you're still wearing your holiday pajamas from last year, didn't organize the pantry, or didn't change your filters once you're snuggled up between the nice, smooth blankets. You've taken care of your skin, the greatest organ in your body, and you've lessened your stress. That feat is impressive in and of itself.
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