In Part 1 of this series on skin health, we understood the role of the skin and what skin indicates about our health. In this blog, let's look at lifestyle correction factors so that the skin can be restored to a natural, blemish-free, glowing health.

Factors which affect skin health

• Denatured foods- Our diet should consist mainly of wholesome, natural foods. Dairy, non-veg, processed foods, excess intake of grains, refined oils, sugar and salt tire the body as these foods are hard to digest and cause problems in the elimination of digestive waste. Hence these should be reduced greatly or eliminated. Some common skin breakout triggers reported are sugar, dairy, wheat, alcohol, smoking, coffee, tea, chocolate and carbonated beverages. These are acidic foods and cause an imbalance in the acid-alkaline balance in the body. They are also dehydrating foods as they take away water from the body for digestion leaving skin look haggard and dry. When these are replaced with hydrating, nourishing foods like raw vegetables and fruits, skin regains its youthful appearance and chronic problems start improving.
• How we eat- It's not only what we eat but it also matters how we eat. Wrong food practices like eating without hunger, eating late in the night, multiple meals in a day, eating in a hurry or when stressed, eating cooked food in the morning also causes digestive load and problems in the elimination of waste. Eating only when hungry, eating only fruits until the afternoon to be in sync with the circadian cycle, balancing cooked meals with salads or veg juices, eating in a pleasant state of mind, enjoying your meals with gratitude all play a part in overall healing.
• Exercise- Adequate proper exercise every day ensures good blood circulation so nutrients and wastes are managed properly within the body. Toxins also get eliminated through sweating induced by exercise.

• Sleep and rest - They are very important to recharge your body and heal. The body is in repair and recovery mode during sleep. Skin turnover is initiated – i.e dead skin cells are shed and replaced with newer ones. So don’t forget your daily quota of beauty sleep in total darkness to look your best.
• Cosmetics- Slathering our skin with cosmetics, sunscreens, deos, lipsticks etc closes the pores of the skin disallowing it to throw out wastes. The semi-permeable nature of the skin causes all the chemicals in these commercial products to be absorbed into the bloodstream increasing toxicity. Minimize the use of these and make your own cosmetics and toiletries at home with simple ingredients. Avoid using harsh soaps and use natural cleansers like besan or just wash with water. You can also buy natural ingredients based products from smaller vendors.
• Synthetic clothing- Polyester and tight, body-hugging clothes do not allow the skin to breathe. These prevent the elimination of body wastes which can then back up into the system or collect on the surface to cause skin irritations and inflammations. Clothes should be preferably be made of natural materials like cotton or linen, should be porous and minimally or loosely worn.
• Stress -Overheating of the body due to continuous stress, overthinking and working without adequate rest, usage of gadgets, always being connected etc all heat up the body and this easily mirrors on the skin. It is commonly observed that conditions like eczema or psoriasis increase during a period of stress. Use stress management techniques to help wind yourself down.
• Sunlight- It is not our enemy as commonly thought. Sunlight strengthens and tones the skin. The action of sunlight is necessary for the synthesis of the many chemicals needed for proper functioning. It is commonly seen that skin issues increase during winter. Ensure you get your daily dose of sunshine to enjoy good skin health.

By following and correcting your lifestyle as per the above norms, healthy gut bacteria develop and toxic load in the body gradually reduce. The cells in the outer layer of the skin are continuously sloughed off and replaced with newer cells. As the quality of blood improves, so is the skin nourished. The skin regains its stretchy, youthful, healthy appearance again and skin conditions start to clear up.

Simple actions to bring relief

While you work on your lifestyle issues, these simple actions can help you bring about temporary relief:

• Wash your skin with clean, cold water especially if you have just come home from a dusty environment.
• Avoid touching or scratching your skin particularly on the areas where it is inflamed.
• Apply fresh aloe vera, organic rose water or virgin coconut oil to soothe the skin when it is inflamed. However, don’t over-apply as the skin needs to breathe too.
• Cool your body by doing breathing exercises like belly breathing or pranayama
• Apply a cold compress on the affected area to bring cooling and relief from itching
• Wool and synthetic clothing cause breakouts in some people, particularly young children. Avoid using them.
• Switch to eating only fruits for a couple of days to help your skin clear up faster. If this is difficult, try to be grain-free for a week. You can find many grain-free recipes in our recipe section
• Reduce or avoid using salt until you find relief with skin issues
• Give a break to your body by fasting for a couple of days. This helps the body to relieve congestion and clear out the backed-up toxins easing the symptoms.
• Use a wet towel pack on your stomach and abdomen to improve digestion and elimination of toxins.
• Give your skin a break by going makeup-free

When going through severe allergic reaction with skin breakouts, particularly with difficulty in breathing, please avoid delay and approach a doctor.

Conclusion

Time, effort and going back to nature heal all skin issues. Healing skin conditions generally take time. Be persistent in your efforts to sync your lifestyle with nature. Go through our Health Journeys section to be motivated by many people who healed themselves from skin issues by following nature’s laws.

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