Skincare and Mental Health
The stress of a chronic mental illness can cause incredible damage to the body. While it may seem that skincare would be besides the point and the least of your concerns in these circumstances, it can be extremely beneficial in a number of ways.
1. Stress hormones alone can cause damage to the skin barrier, making skin inflamed, tender, and sometimes painful. Additional damage can be caused by excessive crying or nose blowing, which leaves the skin raw, as well as the types of coping mechanisms people often turn to, such as excessive drinking or unhealthy food. These physical problems can often have simple, concrete solutions in ways more complex emotional issues don't. Having something that is under your control when your surroundings feel chaotic can provide some sense of agency and mooring, as well as reducing or neutralizing added physical discomfort, which can trigger or exacerbate emotional discomfort.
2. The simple act of taking care of yourself, whether that's brushing your teeth and bathing or doing skincare, can have positive effects for morale and well-being. When your energy is incredibly depleted, even small steps can make a difference and might also help build some momentum to take care of yourself in other ways.
3. Physical touch can be extremely soothing. When paired with gentle massage or tapping techniques, it can generate real relief from the constant tension and unease of illness. This doesn't have to be something elaborate or expensive and can be achieved very easily without having to leave home or needing specialized tools. Unlike some medications, it doesn't take a long time to become effective and can be used as much or as little as you need in any given moment. It can also be used as a mindfulness practice to help ground you back to your body and refocus your attention away from obsessive thought patterns or overwhelming emotions.
4. Having any type of routine can be tremendously comforting in and of itself. Habitual behaviors can serve as constants in uncertain emotional weather. The more a habit is ingrained, the less cognitive load it takes to execute, meaning this becomes easier to do even in the absence of significant energy or motivation, which are likely to be severely depleted in episodes of active illness.
It is recommended that self-care behaviors be implemented in conjunction with other treatment modalities, whether that's therapy, medication, or some combination of both. You can't massage or moisturize your way out of a chronic illness, but the effects should not be underestimated and can be a valuable and accessible tool in times of need. You may only see your therapist once a week, but you can take care of your face and body in many ways that feel supportive and nourishing every day.