Stress. It creeps into our lives in a myriad of ways and in today’s world it seems simply unavoidable, but did you know how much of a toll it can take on your skin? Most notably in the form of: dark circles, fine lines, outbreaks of acne, dry skin and flushes.

According to a study by the Mental Health Foundation 74 per cent of people in the UK have felt so stressed in the past year that they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope with something that life has thrown at them. That’s almost 3⁄4 of the population whose health, both mentally and physically, is being exposed to distress.

So, what can we do to alleviate some of this pressure and ensure that we’re both feeling and looking like the most vibrant versions of ourselves?

A study by The Journal of Physical Therapy in Education studied participants over an 8 week period and found that regular meditation can have a direct result on a person’s perception of their own stress levels, and dramatically reduces blood pressure levels. Despite this, very few of us feel that we have enough time in our lives to engage in regular meditative activities. If time isn’t the issue, it can be daunting to even know where to start.

Thanks to a surge in the recognition of meditation and its calming properties, there are plenty of guided meditation apps for beginners, which can allow you to wind down with the help of simple guided exercises for as little as a minute a day. Although it’s best to practice meditation first thing in the morning, even a few minutes before bed can make the world of difference to your relationship with yourself and the world around you. A relaxed mind is instrumental to slowing down the physical signs of ageing and making for a generally healthier you.

The agility and stability of our mental well-being can be extremely delicate. Exercise is a pro-active way to not only build on our physical strength, but it can also provide us with an invaluable destressing tool. As we get older and our bodies begin to reject certain forms of exercise, it’s vital to be vigilant about these warning signs. If achey joints is an issue for you, why not try an evening swim?

According to a recent study, 92 percent of swimmers surveyed claimed that swimming is a great cure for their stress. Swimming floats at the top of the list of sports that are easy on our bodies, while providing a thorough, full-body workout. Many gyms and leisure centres allow one-off visits, and if you’re lucky enough to have a lido nearby, where better to spend a Saturday morning, soaking up the final, delicious dregs of the summer sun?

Stress is not only the culprit of regular breakouts, it’s also guilty of accelerating signs of ageing and debilitating the skin’s elasticity. Regular facial treatments are a fantastic way to unwind from the stress of a busy life, while working towards feeling our absolute best about ourselves simultaneously.

Treating yourself to ‘me time’ is never a bad idea. And, NEWA allows you to pamper yourself with a treatment from the comfort of your own home, as well as tackling any stress lines you’ve got. Karen, a NEWA user said:

 ‘I find it a worthwhile thirty minutes out of my day because it’s so relaxing. My skin feels and looks great- a lot smoother’.

NEWA is the ideal way to stimulate collagen production and revitalise and re-plump skin that may be showing signs of stress.

Although we can’t prevent outbreaks of stress, we can advise you to take stress seriously and think carefully about how it may be impacting the health of your skin, body and mind. Dedicating time to feeling at home in your own skin is not selfish, it’s essential.