Post by dontfencemein on Apr 26, 2005 11:41:21 GMT -5
In response to the thread below- it got me to thinking about my degrees of picking and what made it easier to ease up on myself.
Just some facts that I have picked up here and there that most of us probably know, but forget most of the time.
Skin is our bodys way of 1) Protecting the tissues beneath and 2) eliminating toxins from our body.
Eruptions can be caused by several things, but among the most common are 1) diet 2) clenliness 3)stress.
not nesisarily in that order.
DIET-
In a lot of the posts I see that people often say "moisturize! moisturize!". But we often forget that our bodies are made up of 80% water. It won't help us a bit to moisturize the outside if we are dehydrated on the inside.
I tried a water diet once and found that when I was taking in the amount of water that my body needed I not only functioned better, but I slept better, ate less (we often mistake thirst for hunger), and had quicker healing time for my face, as well as fewer breakouts.
So my first advice (to myself as well) is to drink WATER WATER WATER!
Personally I try to drink a gallon a day. I get a quart jar and fill it up four times a day and sip constantly. Yeah you have to pee a lot, but the benifits are worth it.
So if our skin is trying to eliminate toxins etc. from our bodies then it must make a difference what we put into it. Obviously.
Some say chocolate causes pimples, some say it doesn't. I know I am sensitive to it, so others could be as well. Some are sensitive to refined sugars, some peanut products and greasy or oily foods.
The big thing to remember about diet and food is - you are what you eat- you eat junk you get junk. Junk on the face, junk in the trunk.
Try to concentrate on fruit (high anti-oxidant levels like grapes and oranges) and vegies (high water content). Spice it up- put cheese on it (calcium which we neglect), peanut butter (protein), whole grain breads (fiber). And don't forget the roughage- salad. Who cares if you dont have a fat free dressing or pile it with lots of veggies- these things help you stay healthy and feel good because they are better for you- not bogging you down like fat laden burgers and greasy fries. Think light, refreshing, and filling.
If you happen to have weight problems or overeating problems- you dont have to necisarily cut back, just shop for things that are healthier for you. Some of the best diets that work out there you are eating ALL THE TIME! Snack, nibble, and graze your way through the day. It keeps your fingers busy (+) It gives your body the nutrition you need (pending good choices) (+) and your metabolisim stays elevated. (++).
Also a word about exercise- forget the contraptions- go for a walk. Studies show that it is the healthiest and lowest impact that you can do and you receive the most benifit from it. Combine this with a little low key stretching and you'll feel great all over and build muscle tone. You dont have to have work out tapes or run marathons to be "in shape" whatever that is. Exercise to make yourself feel good- not bad because you dont look like a super model or Mr. universe.
CLENLINESS-
A regimin should consist of these ingredients:
A clenser- if you cant stand to run your fingers over bumpy surfaces then use a wash cloth. Rub GENTLY over the entire face- dont scrub! Visualize washing a babys face, or scrubbing eggs for market- use utmost care. The face is the most sensitive, reactive skin on our body (as if we don't all know that).
Try to find one that doesn't strip natural oils so your skin wont over produce to balance itself out (Neutrogena makes wonderfully ph ballanced stuff).
Facial Scrub- same goes here- GENTLE! Your objective is to exfoliate, not sand your skin. Once a day is the most I would probably do- your skin doesn't die off so fast that you would need more than that. Otherwise you start "sanding" into healthy live cells which can lead to irritation and sensitivity. Natural options would be blenderized and dried oatmeal cornmeal and almonds (cheap in bulk food stores). Feels like silk!
Toner-toner helps ph balance your skin which builds a protective layer for germs, dirt and foreign oils. If you don't want to spend money- use and aloe leaf and rub the cut end on your skin (store in ref. in a plastic bag or airtight container).
Moisturizer- This helps to seal in the protective layer the toner establishes.
Masks are great for the skin as well. There are several types- drying. nourishing, self warming etc. Watch out for ingredients that will sting like benzol peroxide or alcohol. Go for those that are naturally scented and don't rely on alcohol.
When working with your skin try not to pull on it, but rather "lift" it. For example instead of pulling the skin from the corner of the eye out go towards the nose instead. Instead of pulling on the chin towards the neck go the oposite direction.
When drying the skin dont scrub with the towel, pat instead.
STRESS-
Everyone has it but we dont need to dwell on it.
If you are "religious" dont forget to pray. This is a well known fact that Scriptures, prayer and meditation on those things greatly reduce stress in those who make them habbit.
Take a short nap in the afternoon if possible. No more than 30 min.
Let your eyes relax by keeping them open under your hands, with your hands blocking out all light for 10 min. (do you realize that your eyes never rest? Not even during sleep -which involves REM?)
Cut back on what you expect. Of yourself, your spouse, your children, your co-workers.
Limit your perfectionism if at all possible. Force yourself to deal with the imperfect,or undone.
Don't be a responsibility sponge. Its called delegating.
Get a system. Refine it. Stick to it.
Organization can be tough, but rewarding. Check your local library or book store on Fung Shui.
Simplify- cut out unesisary car trips, shoping excursions, habits, hobbies, etc. Free up some time to let yourself relax.
Remember that the only person that really tells you what you have to fill your life up with is you.
Dont forget to smile and have fun. Find someone who makes you laugh and stick together like glue. Laughter is some of the best medicine around.
Well hope you don't mind my rantings. But we can all need some reminding now and then, no matter how smart or intelligent we are. Hope this helps.
Just some facts that I have picked up here and there that most of us probably know, but forget most of the time.
Skin is our bodys way of 1) Protecting the tissues beneath and 2) eliminating toxins from our body.
Eruptions can be caused by several things, but among the most common are 1) diet 2) clenliness 3)stress.
not nesisarily in that order.
DIET-
In a lot of the posts I see that people often say "moisturize! moisturize!". But we often forget that our bodies are made up of 80% water. It won't help us a bit to moisturize the outside if we are dehydrated on the inside.
I tried a water diet once and found that when I was taking in the amount of water that my body needed I not only functioned better, but I slept better, ate less (we often mistake thirst for hunger), and had quicker healing time for my face, as well as fewer breakouts.
So my first advice (to myself as well) is to drink WATER WATER WATER!
Personally I try to drink a gallon a day. I get a quart jar and fill it up four times a day and sip constantly. Yeah you have to pee a lot, but the benifits are worth it.
So if our skin is trying to eliminate toxins etc. from our bodies then it must make a difference what we put into it. Obviously.
Some say chocolate causes pimples, some say it doesn't. I know I am sensitive to it, so others could be as well. Some are sensitive to refined sugars, some peanut products and greasy or oily foods.
The big thing to remember about diet and food is - you are what you eat- you eat junk you get junk. Junk on the face, junk in the trunk.
Try to concentrate on fruit (high anti-oxidant levels like grapes and oranges) and vegies (high water content). Spice it up- put cheese on it (calcium which we neglect), peanut butter (protein), whole grain breads (fiber). And don't forget the roughage- salad. Who cares if you dont have a fat free dressing or pile it with lots of veggies- these things help you stay healthy and feel good because they are better for you- not bogging you down like fat laden burgers and greasy fries. Think light, refreshing, and filling.
If you happen to have weight problems or overeating problems- you dont have to necisarily cut back, just shop for things that are healthier for you. Some of the best diets that work out there you are eating ALL THE TIME! Snack, nibble, and graze your way through the day. It keeps your fingers busy (+) It gives your body the nutrition you need (pending good choices) (+) and your metabolisim stays elevated. (++).
Also a word about exercise- forget the contraptions- go for a walk. Studies show that it is the healthiest and lowest impact that you can do and you receive the most benifit from it. Combine this with a little low key stretching and you'll feel great all over and build muscle tone. You dont have to have work out tapes or run marathons to be "in shape" whatever that is. Exercise to make yourself feel good- not bad because you dont look like a super model or Mr. universe.
CLENLINESS-
A regimin should consist of these ingredients:
A clenser- if you cant stand to run your fingers over bumpy surfaces then use a wash cloth. Rub GENTLY over the entire face- dont scrub! Visualize washing a babys face, or scrubbing eggs for market- use utmost care. The face is the most sensitive, reactive skin on our body (as if we don't all know that).
Try to find one that doesn't strip natural oils so your skin wont over produce to balance itself out (Neutrogena makes wonderfully ph ballanced stuff).
Facial Scrub- same goes here- GENTLE! Your objective is to exfoliate, not sand your skin. Once a day is the most I would probably do- your skin doesn't die off so fast that you would need more than that. Otherwise you start "sanding" into healthy live cells which can lead to irritation and sensitivity. Natural options would be blenderized and dried oatmeal cornmeal and almonds (cheap in bulk food stores). Feels like silk!
Toner-toner helps ph balance your skin which builds a protective layer for germs, dirt and foreign oils. If you don't want to spend money- use and aloe leaf and rub the cut end on your skin (store in ref. in a plastic bag or airtight container).
Moisturizer- This helps to seal in the protective layer the toner establishes.
Masks are great for the skin as well. There are several types- drying. nourishing, self warming etc. Watch out for ingredients that will sting like benzol peroxide or alcohol. Go for those that are naturally scented and don't rely on alcohol.
When working with your skin try not to pull on it, but rather "lift" it. For example instead of pulling the skin from the corner of the eye out go towards the nose instead. Instead of pulling on the chin towards the neck go the oposite direction.
When drying the skin dont scrub with the towel, pat instead.
STRESS-
Everyone has it but we dont need to dwell on it.
If you are "religious" dont forget to pray. This is a well known fact that Scriptures, prayer and meditation on those things greatly reduce stress in those who make them habbit.
Take a short nap in the afternoon if possible. No more than 30 min.
Let your eyes relax by keeping them open under your hands, with your hands blocking out all light for 10 min. (do you realize that your eyes never rest? Not even during sleep -which involves REM?)
Cut back on what you expect. Of yourself, your spouse, your children, your co-workers.
Limit your perfectionism if at all possible. Force yourself to deal with the imperfect,or undone.
Don't be a responsibility sponge. Its called delegating.
Get a system. Refine it. Stick to it.
Organization can be tough, but rewarding. Check your local library or book store on Fung Shui.
Simplify- cut out unesisary car trips, shoping excursions, habits, hobbies, etc. Free up some time to let yourself relax.
Remember that the only person that really tells you what you have to fill your life up with is you.
Dont forget to smile and have fun. Find someone who makes you laugh and stick together like glue. Laughter is some of the best medicine around.
Well hope you don't mind my rantings. But we can all need some reminding now and then, no matter how smart or intelligent we are. Hope this helps.