Hi Reader!
Lately, Linda and I have been under a lot of stress.
And to be completely honest...
I think we're starting to look it too. π
But the strangest thing I've noticed isn't the fine lines.
It's that my shoulders seem to have moved up and are now living somewhere near my ears. π
And when I do yoga and finally remember to breathe deeply, it feels like my lungs can suddenly hold all the air in the room.
That's when I realize just how tense I've been.
πΏ Why Yoga Is So Powerful
Despite our busy schedule, we always make time for yoga.
It's something we started practicing about six years ago, and it's one of the best ways to regulate our nervous system and relax.
It constantly reminds us to:
π« Breathe.
πββοΈ Relax our shoulders.
π§ββοΈ Open up our chest.
It's amazing what those three things can do for your wellbeing.
π Stress Changes More Than Our Appearance
Most people know stress isn't good for us.
But I don't think we always realize how much it affects us personally.
When we're stressed...
β We're more distracted.
β We forget things.
β We're less patient.
And we're often so focused on getting things done that we don't really have time for the people around us.
Or even ourselves.
The connection between stress and skin is real, and over time chronic stress can take a toll on our appearance too.
But the biggest loss isn't getting wrinkles.
It's feeling like you're constantly stuck in survival mode.
πΏ Maybe Our Bodies Are Trying To Tell Us Something
The funny thing is that our fight-or-flight response was never designed to stay switched on all the time.
It's there to protect us when we're in danger.
Not when we're answering emails or worrying about our to-do list.
Sometimes I think our bodies are simply asking us to slow down.
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To breathe.
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To relax our shoulders.
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To remember that not everything is an emergency.
And maybe we should listen.
β¨ Small Things Can Make A Big Difference
We've learned that managing stress doesn't always have to mean making huge changes.
π§ββοΈ Yoga.
πΆββοΈ Going for a walk.
π₯ Eating foods rich in antioxidants.
π΄ Getting enough sleep.
π« Taking a few deep breaths.
We do these things, and they certainly help.
They don't remove all the stress from life.
But they help us carry it a little better. π
π One Thought To Leave You With
The older we get, the more we believe beauty isn't just about skincare.
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It's also about how we live.
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How we breathe.
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How we rest.
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How we take care of ourselves.
Because when we're constantly stressed, we don't just lose a little glow.
We lose a little of ourselves.
And that's why we think slowing down isn't selfish.
It's one of the kindest things we can do for ourselves.
And maybe one of the most beautiful too. π
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Now we're curious, Reader...
What helps you relax when life gets overwhelming?
βπ Hit reply and tell us. We'd love to hear your thoughts!
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Have a great week,
Founders of Courier Beauty
P.S. We've shared more about the connection between stress and skin aging in our full article below π
β¨ 5 Reasons Why Stress Can Make You Age Fasterβ
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