Most often as the end of the year approaches many of us find ourselves in a stressful state to wrap up what has not been accomplished in the past year and at the same time try to get ready for the holidays (whatever that may look like in your home).
Once the holidays come around, sometimes we feel so burnt out that we overindulge in eating, drinking and being merry! With unpredictable schedules and routine disruptions, our skincare routines can go astray leading to acne breakouts, eczema flareups, and facial redness.
Here are some common holiday stresses that could be sabotaging your skin and what you can do to fix the problem.
1. Overindulging in good food and delicious drinks.
Sugary treats trigger glycation in the body, which accelerates skin aging. And alcoholic beverages produce free radicals in your body that can be damaging to your skin. Not to mention that alcohol is a common trigger for eczema flareups.
The fix: Opt for a healthy treat that will satisfy cravings, like sweet berries, baked apples or some of these healthy holiday treats. Instead of a booze filled drink, have a red wine spritzer which is full of antioxidants or try making some Holiday Mocktail recipes such as soda, low sugar cranberry juice and slices of orange. Rather make the focus of your holiday gatherings about the company you are with and find other activities to do while celebrating such as playing board games or having a dance party.
2. Lack of sleep affects how you look when you wake up in the morning.
Holiday stress compounded with going bed late as well as lack of moisture from cold air and indoor heating can cause your skin to look dull and dark circles to be more present under your eyes.
The fix: Try and sleep soon after you get home from an evening out. Don't watch TV or scroll through social media. Rather listen to a meditation or do some breath work to fall asleep. Make sure you're using a good eye cream that is made with natural ingredients like our Zax's Original Dark Circle Eye cream to tackle your eye bags and leave your eyes feeling refreshed.
3. Packing in too much during the holiday season can bring on stress leading to skincare flareups.
The holidays bring family gatherings and parties with friends, but they are also known to increase stress levels and alter normal routines when trying to do too much and see too many people. This can have a huge impact on your skin.
The fix: Make sure you also take time for yourself to do something that you enjoy and will help you de-stress such as soaking in a bath, practising mediation, taking a yoga class or reading a book. Whatever it is, make sure that it helps relieve any tension you might be feeling and help bring balance back to your skin. If you find your skin is flaring up during this time, try our NEW Zax's Eczema Repair Cream or our Zax's Original Facial Redness Cream.
4. With a full calendar there is no time to prioritize fitness.
With endless things-to-do and holiday check lists, staying active and making time for exercise can seem like a difficult thing to do. However, maintaining even a small amount of activity over the holiday season will benefit your overall health and wellbeing and ultimately your skin too.
The fix: Plan your workouts ahead of time. It might mean waking up a little bit earlier some days so you can fit it in or simply setting aside some free time to just go for a walk. If going on vacation, bring some resistance bands along with you or find some no-equipment needed classes online that you can follow along from your smartphone. Outdoor work like raking leaves or shovelling snow and doing housework are all forms of activity. Find small, low-maintenance ways to stay active.
While the holiday season can be stressful, remember to enjoy being with your family and friends. When you're happy and smiling, your whole appearance radiates.
Written by Alyssa Rolnick, Co-Founder of Zax’s Original Products, Registered Dietitian and Mother of 3 active kids.