Have you ever noticed that when you come home from a vacation feeling relaxed and refreshed you seem to have a more radiant appearance? Taking a break from the stresses of everyday life isn’t just good for your health and well-being the effects can be seen all over your face.
It turns out that many of the things you do when you get away, like getting enough rest, exercise and stress reducing activities like yoga or meditation are the same practices that some doctors recommend to maintain the health and appearance of your skin. In Ayurveda, it is believed that the skin is a view of a person’s overall health and well-being. A lot can be discovered about the wellness state of an individual just by looking at a person’s skin.
You do not have to wait for your next trip to reap the benefits. Get radiant skin at home by adopting the good habits of vacation and indulging in a few at home spa treatments. Here are some vacation inspired indulgences for you to do at home.
- Whether on vacation or at home, load up on colorful carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables. Researchers in Scotland measured the skin tone of people who added more fresh produce to their diets and found that their skin took on a warm golden tone, which was deemed more attractive. Eating antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables protects your skin from free radicals and sun damage.
- Move your body whether it is on a yoga mat, a hike, a jog, a run or a swim. Regular exercise can brighten your complexion and improve the health of our skin. Movement stimulates the lymphatic system, which carries away waste products from your cells. Exercise increases micro circulation in your face, nourishing your cells.
- Picture a peaceful place. Your thoughts can have a powerful effect on your appearance. Stressful thoughts and feelings trigger the release of biochemical signals from the brain, including the hormones testosterone and cortisol and pro-inflammatory signals that can incite acne, cause the skin to be more sensitive and more prone to infection and lead to blotchy skin tone. Practices that calm you and keep your stress levels in check- including focusing on positive, visualization and peaceful thoughts have the opposite effect.
- Breathe freely. It might be the simplest beauty routine of all. Take a slow, deep breath. Deep exhalations clear stale carbon dioxide from the lungs and allow them to draw in more oxygen on the inhalation. This has an alkalizing effect on the body that can help promote growth of healthy skin cells.
- Get your beauty sleep. Your cells respond to environmental cues such as temperature and light, in effect keeping time and following their own circadian rhythm. These cues can trigger important repair and regeneration processes that take place at night. While you sleep lower cortisol levels and higher growth hormone levels stimulate cell reproduction and growth. So turn off the electronics an hour before bed, dim the lights, and drink a soothing cup of herbal tea to ensure a good night’s sleep.
- Cool off. Breathing in the scent of roses can soothe overheated or irritated skin. In Ayurveda, India’s ancient healing science, roses are viewed as the ideal for cooling and soothing an excess of the fire element or pitta. Rose is especially calming for the skin in the heat of summer when the quality of pitta increases. I suggest keeping a bottle of rose water on hand for those hot days. This rose water can be used to spritz your face, wrists, and ankles. For added cooling power brew a cup of fennel and dried rose petal tea. Cool it in the refrigerator and add a few drops of rose essential oil. Pour it into a mister, give it a shake and spray it on your face. For dry or blood shot eyes, soak several fresh rose petals in rosewater and place them over your eyes while you rest.
You now have the secrets to getting that radiant looking skin which I call “After Glow” without going on vacation. In fact your “After Glow” can begin as soon as you finish reading this and can last for the rest of your life. Happy Glowing!
Wishing you much health and wellness!
Namaste,
Rochele Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS
The Queen of Feeling Fabulous
Blissful Living 4U 