How Work-Related Stress Can Affect Your Physical Appearance
We all know that work can be a major source of stress. Just think about it: there are those deadlines, meetings, and endless to-do lists that can make you feel like you’re running a never-ending marathon. All of these things, it feels like they’re burying you alive, right?
You’re right; sometimes it really is like that, and you just want to bottle up all of your feelings, right? You just don’t want people to know it’s happening, that you’re on the brink of burnout.
But did you know that all this stress from work doesn’t just mess with your head; it can mess with your looks, too? That’s right, work-related stress can leave its mark all over your body. No matter how much you bottle up those feelings, it’s still going to show. Now, with all of that said, let’s explore how the daily grind can transform your appearance—and not in a glow-up way.
Your Skin is Like the Canvas of Stress
Have you ever noticed how your skin seems to freak out right when you’re about to present to the big boss or tackle a huge project? Maybe it’s sweat, maybe it’s stomach issues, sometimes, people even start to show hives! Well, that’s work stress showing up right on your face. When you’re stressed at work, your body ramps up the production of cortisol, the stress hormone.
More cortisol means more oil production, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. But that’s just the start. Stress can also lead to inflammation, which can cause skin conditions. Honestly, it’s just far from ideal, so even when you bottle up how you feel, your skin is still going to show it.
Hair Thinning and Hair Loss
One of the scariest ways work-related stress can affect your appearance is through hair thinning and hair loss. All right, so your skin, such as hives or acne, can be covered up with makeup or even clothes, but the same can’t really be said for your hair. While, yes, everyone sheds, there is a lot of shedding, which is where the issue is.
But why does this even happen? Well, stress can push your hair follicles into a resting phase, stopping new hair growth. Plus, stress can worsen conditions like alopecia areata, where the immune system attacks hair follicles, leading to bald patches. Now, it doesn’t mean it’s permanent (such as how it is with genetics); actually, you can either take medication for hair loss to help this situation or once the stressful situation at work is over (hopefully, that will be the case).
Your Eyes Are Like the Windows to Stress
Your eyes can reveal a lot about how you’re feeling, and they’re often the first place stress makes its mark. Most people seem to think that under-eye bags and dark circles are common signs of lack of sleep, but they’re also thanks to work-related stress, usually caused by lack of sleep.
They’re both intertwined; when you’re tossing and turning all night thinking about that big presentation or an upcoming deadline, it shows up as puffiness and discoloration around your eyes. Plus, constant squinting at your screen and frowning during stressful meetings can lead to crow’s feet and deep-set wrinkles. All those extra hours at the office?