It can sound counter-intuitive but developing a daily routine can help us to feel more in control of everything, and help us to make room for all that’s important. Routine can aid our mental health. It can help us to cope with change to form healthy habits, and to reduce our stress levels.
Having a routine can help us to cultivate positive daily habits and to prioritise self-care. Organising our time gives the opportunity to build in blocks of time for things that are important to us. This can allow us to build in daily habits that help us with our mental health. It could include things like time to relax, regular bedtime or indeed a skincare routine.
When Skincare Became Self-Care
In today’ uncertain (Covid-19 world) with our daily structure and routine disturbed & as stress and anxiety mount, there has been a surge in those seeking mental health support.
Patients who experience anxiety and depression often report that their condition is exacerbated 30 minutes to one hour before bed. This is when they have more idle time, which increases worry for a lot of people. When you’re engaged in an activity, such as washing, toning, and moisturizing your face, you can get the worry out of your head by focusing on what you’re doing and being present in the moment. When someone is depressed or anxious, a routine can provide a sense that they have control over their skin, their body, and consequently part of their life. A skincare regimen can be very calming, and for many, their beauty ritual became an effective coping mechanism. Skincare products not only help treat the physical conditions (such as acne, hyper pigmentation, etc) but also help to form self-care routines — both of which work together to improve mental health. Whether your skincare routine consists of five or twelve steps, taking the time to take care of yourself can do wonders for improving your mental health. Is skincare part of your self-care?
To read more on how stress affects our skin health, read our older post on this topic.
Photo credit: @skinkira