TIRED SKIN IS REAL: HERE’S HOW TO AWAKEN IT

You know when you feel tired. You might not have the motivation you usually do to get things done. Or you might feel drowsy when you are sitting quietly in the afternoon or early evening. And you might have a headache or find yourself snapping at your friends or family members. When you feel this way, you probably notice and strive to get a bit more sleep to feel better.

Did you know that your skin can get tired, too? Remember that your skin is your body’s largest organ. It’s not uncommon for the skin to show signs of fatigue before you feel the signs of fatigue in the rest of your body. Keep reading to learn more about skin fatigue, how to identify it, and, most importantly, how to treat it.

IS YOUR SKIN TIRED?

While your tired skin won’t make you nod off on the bus or cause you to have trouble concentrating at work, it will show you some signs that it’s not feeling quite up to its normally glowing, radiant self.

When your body is dealing with fatigue, one of the first places it will start to neglect in order to conserve resources is the skin. Less collagen will be produced, and you’ll notice because your skin looks duller than normal. You also might begin to see more fine lines and wrinkles and age spots developing. Your skin tone might look uneven and patchy, and you are more likely to see enlarged pores on your face, chest, back, and other areas. Some of the skin near your jawline and under your eyes might start to sag. Skin fatigue can make you look older than you actually are. This can cause you some distress, which might exacerbate the problem.

WHAT CAUSES SKIN FATIGUE?

Knowing what causes skin fatigue is the first step in combating it. First, some of the effects of tired skin are caused by the natural aging process. As you get older and gravity does what it does, you will experience some wrinkles and sagging skin. Much of this might be able to be alleviated with some lifestyle changes, which we’ll cover in the next section, however.

Some lifestyle factors like not getting enough sleep, drinking too much alcohol, and eating an unhealthy diet can lead to skin fatigue, just like it can lead to all-over fatigue and various health issues. Smoking and a lack of exercise are other common contributors to the condition.

Environmental factors also contribute. Pollution and sun exposure, as well as normal weather elements like wind and low humidity, can cause changes in your skin that cause skin fatigue.

Finally, stress releases hormones in your body that can wreak havoc on the skin. Cortisol and adrenaline are common culprits here. These are good in small doses to help you cope with various crises that come up, but when you have too much circulating in your body as a result of chronic stress and anxiety, it can take its toll.

HOW CAN YOU WAKE UP TIRED SKIN?

Now that you know what can cause tired skin, it’s time to learn how to wake it up! First, recognize that there are factors that you can change (lifestyle, stressors, and some environmental factors) as well as some that you can’t change (your age, your genetics, and some other environmental factors). Focusing on the things you can change will make you feel more positive about your skin and your appearance. This will, in turn, decrease some of your stress!

• Take a good look at your lifestyle. If you are smoking at all or overindulging in alcohol, stop doing that. If you are having trouble quitting or cutting back, talk to your doctor. He or she can help you by developing a plan to overcome your habit and, if necessary, referring you to an addictions specialist or a behavioral therapist.
• What are you eating?You should be focusing on mostly healthy foods with a few treats thrown in for good measure. If you can keep 80 percent of your diet focused on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean sources of protein, and healthy fats, then the other 20 percent of your diet can be delicious treats. This will ensure that you get the nutrition your skin (and the rest of your body) needs while not neglecting your emotional desire to enjoy a piece of cake, a bowl of ice cream or a glass of wine sometimes (just not all on the same day!).
• Get enough exercise. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that adults get 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. This is five 30-minute walks per week. Go for a walk on your lunch break or after dinner on weeknights and you’ve met your goal! Of course, more exercise is even better, so if you can hit the gym or play a sport a couple of times per week, that’s also great for your entire body, including your skin.
• Aim for getting eight hours of sleep per night. The average adult requires between seven and nine hours of shut-eye. This will likely require you to go to bed earlier. But if you have the option to sleep in regularly, that works, too. For best results, follow good sleep hygiene. Put away any electronics an hour before bedtime, keep your bedroom nice and cool, and create and follow a relaxing bedtime routine to cue your body that it’s time to sleep. Washing your face and smoothing on a soothing overnight face cream will help improve your skin while also getting your brain ready for sleep.
• Cut down on stress. Look for tasks you can eliminate if you are too busy. And talk to your doctor about getting counseling if you are feeling anxious all the time. Getting your stress levels under control will make a world of difference in how you feel overall.

FINAL THOUGHT

Wear sunscreen and protect your skin from the elements with a scarf on cold, windy days. Run a humidifier in your house when the air outdoors is dry. Do what you can to keep your skin comfortable and in good condition. It will thank you by waking up and looking more like its regularly glowing self!