Mental health awareness has increased significantly over the past few years. In fact, a Google search returns 549,000 results with information available about the different types, signs and ways to support this movement. In our fast-paced, modern world, the need to slow down and take note of how we’re feeling couldn’t be more important. Statistics published by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England state that 1 in 4 people will experience mental health issues per year. And, internationally, the number rises to 729 million people. These figures demonstrate just how significant and impactful this issue is.
Getting plenty of sleep, eating a healthy diet and getting outside are all ways to improve our mental health. But have you ever considered how a good skincare routine could help too?
Provides stability to your day
For many of us, routine in our day helps to provide an anchor in the present and stability in our day. It gives structure. It provides us with safety and the knowledge that this one activity will be the same, regardless of outside influences. A study published in 2018 in The Lancet Psychiatry showed that people with inconsistent routines throughout the day were at more risk of developing depression, suffering from bipolar issues and generally struggling with their mental health.
Our Tip: Make your morning skincare routine non-negotiable. This is your time – whether that be 10 minutes carved out from a busy morning or 30 minutes solid time. Start your day with structure and set the tone for the rest of the day.
Prevents the worry spiral/intrusive thoughts
Mindwell Leeds details the worry spiral perfectly in the graphic found here. This is when a single worry builds up and spirals into a hundred different worries that take over your day and spike anxiety. Many people find that this peak in stress tends to peak between 1 hour and 30 minutes before bedtime. Mental hyperarousal is a symptom frequently noted in those with anxiety. It is whereby your body kicks into high alert without a real danger being present. In this care, the worry spiral causes a fight-and-flight response. The link between this and a lack of sleep reactivity was noted in a report from the National Center for Biotechnology Information in 2018.
Our Tip: Slot your skincare routine in between 1 hour and 30 minutes before you go to bed. Lock yourself away, in a bedroom or bathroom, and focus on the activities you’re performing. If intrusive thoughts or anxiety begins to creep in, try to refocus your attention back to the present and the task you’re currently on. Get outside of your head and into the routine.
Releases positive chemicals
When we rub moisturiser, cleansers and other products into our skin, the act of massaging our skin causes the body to release many positive chemicals. A study from 2016 published by European Psychiatry showed that trigger point therapy (applying pressure to specified trigger points on the skin) significantly reduced the patients stress levels. More information from the American Massage Therapy Association reports showed that women suffering from breast cancer reported reduced anxiety, depressed moods and anger with regular massage therapy sessions. Massaging your body activates the sympathetic nervous system. It helps to reharmonize the network of brain structures, nerves and hormones that keep the body balanced.
Our Tip: Choose a rich and luxurious moisturiser to add to your routine. The Malée Verdure Moisturising Body Cream has the rich moisture of a butter and lightness of a lotion. It melts into the skin, using 100% natural active ingredients to flush your skin with exceptional moisture. And, the act of massaging it into the skin will improve blood flow and relax your mind at the same time.
Provides dedicated meditative time
This 10, 20 or 30 minutes you allocate to yourself also provide you with the perfect opportunity to practice meditating. Mindfulness has been studied extensively, with research showing that it can reduce the signs of anxiety and severe insomnia. And meditating doesn’t mean you have to put on whale music and lockout the entire world. It’s simply a time for you to be present in the day. Furthermore, leave all the worries and stresses from activities you can’t change right then.
Our Tip: Take this time entirely to yourself. Breath deeply as you cleanse your skin – through the nose and out from the mouth. Focus entirely on the activity you’re doing and make every single movement purposeful. Feel how your moisturiser melts into your skin. Feel the way your toner gently tightens your face. All of these sensations can anchor your mind in the present and prevent the symptoms of anxiety from thriving.
Aligns with a sustainability focus
For many of us, worries about the state of our world can cause anxiety to peak. Psych Central notes how the abundance of technology in our lives means that tragedy and disaster are just a few taps away. Finding a way to take control of your own impact on our planet can ground your anxiety. And choosing the right products to incorporate into your skincare is one way to do this. Natural ingredients, such as sweet almond oil, coconut oils and avocado oils are all sourced from our planet. They have a smaller carbon footprint during manufacture. Moreover, they provide a host of benefits to our skin at the same time. In contrast, synthetic ingredients such as Triclosan (commonly used in hand washes and toothpaste) react with sunlight and become pollutants that stay on our planet for many years.
Our Tip: Choose cosmetics that are made using 100% natural active ingredients, where possible. Malée focuses on the power of natural ingredients. We create blends and partnerships that leave you with the silkiest and healthiest skin imaginable. Using scientific research and the wonder of plants, we bring you a selection of skincare products that allow your brain to relax and you to enjoy those few minutes every single morning.
Conclusion
Giving yourself the time to practice a consistent and 100% natural skincare routine every morning and night. This helps to boost your mood and promote mental health awareness. Acts as simple as massaging your skin, breathing deep and giving yourself time will all bring structure and calmness to your day.
