The Holidays are officially in full swing and though that usually brings feelings of joy and good times spent with friends and loved ones, it can also bring with it a lot of unnecessary stress. Unfortunately, stress can negatively affect the optimal function of your entire body, but in particular it does a number on the health and appearance of your skin. Stress within the body increases your body’s production of cortisol, which in turn tells your skin to produce more oil and can potentially lead to clogged pores and breakouts. But it isn’t just overactive sebaceous glands you need to worry about over the Holidays. Stress can affect your thoughts and feelings, your behavior and can even elevate your risk for chronic health conditions. But not to worry! Here are a few tips that you can implement this Holiday Season to save your skin and reduce stress. Read on to find out more!

Relax!

It seems almost too simple to be true, right? But taking a step back and making sure you set aside time for yourself is one of the best things you can do to avoid undue stress during the Holidays. What with the shopping, the cooking, the decorating and more, it’s all too easy to drop your own needs in favor of getting everything done. But now more than ever is when you need to make sure you’re taking time for yourself and your well-being. Take time to meditate, to go for a quick walk around the block, sit back and read that book you’ve been meaning to finish - anything that allows you to take some time to reset, stop thinking about your endless to-do list and allows you to take some deep breaths. Bonus, when you step away from something and allow yourself the time to mentally reset, you’ll be able to come back to it with a fresh approach and usually with more productivity as well.

Take it Easy with the Alcohol        

The Holiday Season usually means the cocktails are flowing! And while alcohol can certainly loosen you up and maybe make some uncomfortable family get-togethers a little more bearable, it isn’t doing your skin any favors. Alcohol contributes to dehydration in your entire body, including your skin. When skin isn’t adequately hydrated it can appear dull and lifeless but also dry and itchy. Not a good look! If you are going to partake in a few holiday spirits, your best bet is to drink a full glass of water in between cocktails and, when it doubt, the clearer the alcohol, the better. Plus, while we’re on the subject of glowing, hydrated skin, make sure you’re committed to wearing YELLE Awakeningmoisturizer every day to face the winter cold and winds.

Don’t Overspend

A very common stressor over the holidays stems from our finances - namely, the cost of presents, decorations, food, drinks, and parties, etc. The Holiday Season can be an expensive time. Lessen these stressful burdens by creating and sticking to a holiday budget. You can enjoy yourself and your loved ones without putting yourself in debt. Remember this season is about joy and love, and you’ll be just as satisfied not spending quite as much money.

Don’t Chase Perfection

It's easy to get caught up in the picture-perfect version of the Holiday Season that we see in movies (the entire months of November and December, every night on TV), or the perfect holidays we think our friends and coworkers are having. I’m talking about the kind of holidays with no-drama, everyone invited, all the food cooked to perfection, etc. But perfect rarely exists in real life. It’s important, in order to avoid extra stress on your body (and skin) this season, to keep in mind that life is imperfect, and to detach yourself from any unrealistic expectations.

The Holidays are meant to be enjoyed, not stressed-through, and you’ll find that you enjoy the time so much more when you are able to go through the time stress-free and with beautiful, radiant skin!