Mental health has become a pressing concern since the pandemic caused a surge in mental health symptoms, with almost half of U.S. adults developing some form of anxiety or depressive symptoms. Various organizations like WHO and the CDC are now providing resources and a supportive ecosystem for those who need them. They also raise awareness about solutions to manage mental health, one of which is creating a mental wellness plan — which helps you keep track of and address factors that affect your mental health.
Starting a mental wellness plan can be difficult because you need to take into account various factors, such as mental health needs, current and goal coping mechanisms, even nutrition and exercise. To make the process a little less overwhelming, you can talk to healthcare professionals through internet platforms. Professionals who go through online healthcare programs are trained in the different facets of mental illness, such as abnormal and positive psychology, allowing them to create personalized strategies for your mental wellness plan. Because they’re also knowledgeable on how mental health is linked to your well-being, they can help you work toward a balanced life. One aspect of a balanced life is setting aside the time for self-care, and one great way to incorporate it into your mental wellness plan is through adopting a skincare routine. And below are a few reasons why:
It provides structure to your day
The pandemic has thrown routines into disarray by causing big changes, such as remote working and a ton of restrictions. This can cause stress and anxiety. So to help alleviate these feelings, you can create new routines to make you feel more organized and in control of the situation. These routines should support your health, well-being, and sense of self, such as a skincare routine. Skincare routines are typically done in the morning and/or evening, and regardless of how many steps you incorporate in yours, they should still provide structure and stability to your day.
It increases your confidence
Good skincare leads to healthy, glowing skin. It can do wonders for your overall appearance, such as hydrating dry skin, preventing skin irritation, and removing acne. And the more consistent you are in using the right products, the faster you’ll see results and the longer you’ll be able to maintain them. Knowing that your skin looks good because of all the effort you put into it can boost your confidence. It will also give you a boost when people take notice and start complimenting you on your skin when you turn your camera on for a virtual meeting.
It lets you prioritize yourself
Acts of self-care involve putting yourself first, and a skincare routine does exactly that. After all, you’re spending time, effort, and money pampering yourself. Aside from making you feel good about how you look, skincare can have a meditative effect where you’re just focusing on your routine — preferably in a place where you won’t be disturbed. This can be a way for you to get away from your troubles even for just a few minutes. Skincare routines are also very practical for those who don't work remotely, such as frontliners who have to dress up PPEs for hours. Adopting a skincare routine can also end up leading to other acts of self-care as you become more used to the idea that it’s okay to put yourself first.
A skincare routine does more than just make your skin look good. It’s also a good addition to your mental wellness plan as it can relieve stress and boost confidence. But before creating the perfect skincare routine, make sure to do some research before diving into it so you can make the most of it.
Article was specially written for y-ourskin.com by Annie Conner
