March 3, 2024

Glow up, healthy inside and out!

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Let’s dive into how to glow up and make this your time to shine! As an RN, here’s how to glow up with a transformation that touches not just your face and body but rejuvenates your soul. AND I REALLY MEAN FROM THE INSIDE OUT! Nobody really talks about it, but I am a witness to this happy hormone.

We naturally have imbedded, natural release of chemicals like endorphins, oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine, the so-called feel-good hormones, helping our skin stay hydrated and appear more radiant. They not only affect our mood but also influence our overall health including our skin. Yeah yeah yeah, what about moisturizers, exfoliation, sunscreen, etc, etc. They are good because they help moisturize your skin. In this case, it is best to hydrate your skin with topical products, and then seal it all in with a moisturizer that’ll hold it all together.  But why not tap into what we already have.

DID YOU KNOW…

The happy hormones that we naturally produce; the feeling good about yourself, losing weight, meditating, getting a massage, being pregnant, and falling in love. So, how can you capture and maintain that radiant glow inside and out?

Skin, oh skin. The expanse that covers our bodies, our protective shield from the outside world. It’s a canvas for our emotions, our experiences, and our very essence. And when it comes to the journey of self-love, our skin plays a pivotal role.

There is a secret elixir, a hormonal embrace, that has been romantically named the “love hormone.” Its scientific moniker is oxytocin, a neurotransmitter that flows through our veins, whispering sweet nothings to our skin cells. Oxytocin, glowing with its ethereal presence, has the power to ignite a transformative process, a skin “glow up” that transcends the superficial and delves deep into the realm of self-acceptance.

Our skin, oh how it longs for this gentle touch of self-love. Each and every one of us desires a skin that radiates an empowering confidence, a skin that tells the story of a soul who has embraced their own worth. And with the guidance of oxytocin, this dream can become our reality.

Oxytocin, like a master artist, orchestrates the symphony of cellular renewal. It whispers to our fibroblasts, encouraging them to produce collagen and elastin, the building blocks of youthfulness. As these precious fibers weave their magic, our skin begins to regain its firmness and elasticity, slowly becoming a living testament to self-care.

But the magic doesn’t stop there. Oxytocin also takes the stage alongside our sebaceous glands, those tiny actors that often steal the spotlight in the drama of oily and dry skin. With its harmonizing touch, the love hormone ensures a balance is struck, oiliness is tamed, and hydration is restored. The result? A complexion that echoes the glow of self-acceptance.

In this dance of self-love, oxytocin also bewitches our melanocytes, those pigment-producing cells responsible for the hues that paint our skin’s canvas. As it orchestrates their rhythm, the love hormone whispers the right notes, ensuring an even and radiant skin tone. Farewell, dullness. Hello, luminosity.

But perhaps the most enchanting aspect of oxytocin’s transformative powers lies in its influence on our emotions. As it surges through our veins, it gentles the roaring storms within, extinguishing the flames of stress and anxiety. And when our inner world finds solace, it reflects on our skin, defying the hands of time and gracing us with a serene and youthful complexion.

So, let us embrace the love hormone and its gift of a “glow up” for our skin. Let us revel in the alchemy of oxytocin as it weaves its magic within us. For when we nurture our skin with self-love, when we honor its significance in our journey, we unlock a radiance that transcends the boundaries of mere physical beauty. It becomes a mirror, reflecting the love we have found within ourselves and extending it outwards for all to see.

Radiant glow

OUR ENVIRONMENT….

In addition to stress hormones, the people we surround ourselves with can also impact our health. Negative and draining individuals, often referred to as “vampires,” can contribute to increased stress levels and ultimately affect the health of our skin. On the other hand, positive and uplifting individuals can brighten our day and promote a healthier overall well-being. So, choose your company wisely and prioritize relationships that bring positivity into your life.

Furthermore, engaging in physical activities that bring you joy can have a significant impact on your skin. Whether it’s yoga, cycling, gardening, or any other activity that gets your endorphins flowing, these exercises not only relieve stress but also improve blood circulation to your skin cells, resulting in a healthier and happier complexion. Regular exercise can also boost collagen production, giving you a natural post-workout glow and improving skin tone.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

You’ve heard the age-old saying, that you are what you eat, and you more than likely have experienced this in action; fast food and unhealthy snacks, decrease your energy levels (or lack of energy). On the contrary, when you’re eating a vibrant, well-balanced diet, rich in foods with healthy fats and antioxidants, you feel really good. Your energy is high and your body feels light and agile. Then there’s water. Working as a nurse, I learned adequate hydration is vital for the proper functioning of the body as well as your skin. Water supports numerous bodily functions, including nutrient transport to cells, temperature regulation, and body hydration. The body’s dehydration can have an impact on the skin’s ability to maintain ideal moisture levels. Surround yourself with positive people You might be thinking, what does surrounding yourself with positive people have to do with glowing skin. Well, we have what is called the stress hormone, cortisol and adrenaline. When your body is stressed, you release adrenaline and cortisol. If you have a healthy stress response, this rise in hormones is temporary and the effect on your skin is minimal. But when a single stressful event is too much to handle, or when we experience repeated exposure to stress, these hormones stay active for too long and wreak havoc on our skin. In my personal journey, I was stressed for 20yrs of my married life and aged far more as compared to today. So be careful who you surround yourself with. There are two types of people in this world, 1) the vampires, that suck the energy out of you and the person with positive vibes that brighten your day.

I lost 40 Lbs in my personal journey and maintained it.  It doesn’t matter which activities you choose as long as the pursuit brings you joy. “There’s no right way to boost any of these feel-good hormones. Instead, the key is to tune into your body and notice how different activities make you feel, both in the moment and in the hours afterward. What Physical activities make you happy? (yoga, cycling, gardening, photography, seeing your grandkids, etc.), the things that get your endorphins flowing. Not only do they relieve stress, but they will also improve blood circulation to your skin cells, making them healthier and happier. Exercise improves oxygen, reduces stress levels, boost collagen production, gives you a post workout glow and improves skin tone. Being in a good relationship just how powerful is love? It just may be the best medicine out there. Your strong relationship can do everything from lowering your blood pressure to keeping your skin healthy! As we have learned, stress management is key to healthy skin.  Good relationships help to lower stress hormone levels and create oxytocin, which also promotes skin healing and higher immunity levels, helping to reduce inflammatory factors.

CONCLUSION

Lastly, the power of love and strong relationships should not be underestimated when it comes to maintaining healthy skin. Good relationships have been shown to lower stress hormone levels and promote the release of oxytocin, which aids in skin healing and boosts immunity. So, nurturing and investing in positive relationships can contribute to a glowing and radiant complexion.

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