🧠 6 Ways Stress Accelerates Aging and What to do About It

We all know that Stress can have a detrimental impact on mental health.

Today we’re going to crack open how stress effects our health, and how this then roll’s over into our outer beauty. Essentially, how it accelerates aging, where - and how.  

Long term stress can eventually become chronic stress, which leads to depression, anxiety, insomnia, and frequent fatigue.

Depression is a serious mental health condition that can cause you to have negative feelings towards all aspects of life.  

Losing interest in things you used to enjoy, feelings of hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts are common symptoms of depression, but it can affect people differently.

HOW IT AFFECTS PHYSICAL HEALTH

Stress is proven to weaken the immune system, which is essential to keeping us healthy!  

The stress hormone, corticosteroid, suppress the immune function so that our infection-fighting white blood cells are less able to battle the antigens that enter our body.  

So, you may notice in particularly stressful times that you’re more prone to getting a sniffly nose or adrenal fatigue.

The body’s response to stress increases your heart rate. The stress hormone, adrenaline, that’s triggered by the natural “fight or flight” response, causes the heart to beat faster and blood pressure to increase. So, constant stress puts your internal self into overload – this is said to severely heighten your chance of cardiovascular disease, the leading killer of Americans.

High levels of stress are known to have damaging effects on your skin and hair, too!  

HOW STRESS AFFECTS SKIN HEALTH

ACNE

There are a few reasons why you might notice breakouts on your skin, whether that be in the form of acne, psoriasis or eczema. The release of the stress hormone, Cortisol, throws your other hormones off balance, causing imperfections to appear on the skin. Stress can also affect your gut, by outweighing the good and bad bacteria that sits in it. Uneven bacteria in the gut can cause rashes and hives, as well as unwanted pimples.

There’s the added factor of diet when you’re experiencing stress. When working long hours, it’s not uncommon for you to choose quick and easy food, as well as energy drinks or coffee to keep you going. These dietary choices can show up as pimples and blemishes on the skin, and exacerbate existing skin conditions.

UNDER EYE CIRCLES

Under-eye bags are far from ideal – they make you look tired and ill, and there’s only so much concealer you can cover them with. When you’re experiencing stress or burnout, there’s a high chance that you’re lacking the sleep you need, which in turn makes you feel more stressed. Sleep deprivation results in higher levels of Cortisol itself, so it antagonizes the body even more!  

Bags under the eyes are caused by the pooling of fluid to the area around the eyes, and the best way to fix them is by getting more sleep and staying hydrated. You can also apply serums, which can improve the appearance of under-eye bags.  

Evoq’s Eye and Lip Cream is proven to encourage the renewal of skin health, reduced inflammation and stagnation and tighten and hydrate the skin so it looks firmer.

DARK CIRCLES

When we are stressed, we can actually break the fragile and vulnerable capillaries under your eyes. The blood can leak into the epidermis and become oxidized, which will result in a dark purple hue and a discoloration of the skin, creating the dark circles – giving that tired appearance.

Not only this but when your body is dealing with stress, blood will be distributed to different, more important areas of the body, which doesn’t include the face and skin.  

The more stress your body is under, the more likely you are to look pale and drained as the blood is focused on the organs; making sure they keep working correctly. This, in turn, will make the appearance of dark circles more noticeable against the paler skin.

DRY FLAKES & FINE LINES

When we are stressed, our body can react in different ways. We may feel more emotional, lose our appetite, experience mood swings or it can affect our sleep – resulting in difficulty to function throughout the day.  

This is when the fine lines and wrinkles can form as a result of your body choosing to produce more cortisol. This stress hormone has been known to break down collagen in your skin, so the more stressed you are, the more the hormone will attack your skin regeneration, resulting in a few new fine lines and wrinkles.

With lack of sleep, you will begin to show signs of fatigue; Fine lines and wrinkles will appear as the elasticity weakens, with your eyes falling victim first.

Dehydration can be dangerous for your inner organs as well as your skin, which is itself an organ. Hydration is a key factor in the body’s production of collagen, which is what keeps your skin looking bright, youthful  and plump. Without collagen, wrinkles and fine lines are more visible, and skin may start to sag.

Staying hydrated will also keep your skin from looking dry and flaky – you should moisturize on the outside and stay hydrated on the inside to avoid dry skin! Try Evoq’s Ultra hydrating Youth Renew Oil or Pro-Collagen Cream for full-face hydration – taking the time to quiet your mind and  relaxation time you need!

HOW IT AFFECTS HAIR HEALTH

Stress has been linked to hair loss and thinning, but the causes could differ! The same way stress can damage the appearance and feel of your skin, it can also be detrimental to the health of your hair.

HAIR LOSS

There are three stages to the hair growth process: The Anagen stage (growth), the Catagen stage (transition), and the Telogen stage (rest).  

Stress can trigger what’s known as Telogen effluvium, which occurs when the hair growth cycle stops at the Telogen stage, and the follicles don’t grow any new hairs.

Telogen effluvium is a reversible condition and is just a temporary disturbance to the cycle. With changes to lifestyle, you can stop it.  

Alopecia areata is a condition where the immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing patches of hair to fall out at one time.  

It’s often associated with experiencing high levels of stress for an extended period. The cause of it is likely to be a weakened immune system, so once you lower stress levels, the hair will stop falling out and in most cases grow back.

If you are experiencing hair thinning, try the powerful Root Revival Hair Health program.  It’s proven to promote hair growth using actives that strengthens hair and encourages high cell turnover for new hairs to grow.  So powerful, its two times stronger than minoxidil.

GRAY HAIR

Science backs up the saying that stress can make your hair go gray – it’s not just a myth.  

You see, when experiencing high-stress levels, the body struggles to produce a pigment called melanin, which is what keeps your natural color in your hair. When the body is experiencing long term stress, which happens with burnout, the imbalance of hormones can deplete the melanin-producing stem cells, which causes the hair to turn gray.

Share the Love:

If you like The Awakened Beauty Podcast….

• Subscribe, Rate & Review via iTunes

• Visit us at awakenedbeautyhq.com for updates.

• Businesses: www.evoqbeauty.com | www.beautyecology.com

• Instagram @awakenbeautyhq

• Instagram @evoqbeauty

• Watch on Youtube at my channel: Awaken Beauty Podcast

• Shop natural health and beauty products with EVOQ

Here’s how!Go to awakenbeauty-hq on ITunes and write your biggest takeaway in the rate and review section. Just pretend it says “ah ha” here!! Don’t just review the episode, I would love your ah-ha moment from this episode that is more specific so you can confirm your takeaway as you write, but also help others capture your brilliance. It’ll take 3 minutes from your day. What you declare will be life to others. So remember, go to I tunes to rate and review.

Comment or question you’d like to ask Kassandra.

P.S! Your review is not only paramount in helping others discover the show, but we also read each and every submission personally…and they mean the world to us.

Love and Light! - Kassandra

In the Meantime, STAY IN THE CONVERSATION! @awakenbeautyhq | #awakenbeauty

CORTISOL: THE LOW DOWN ON STRESS, AGING & FREQUENCY

Cortisol is in charge of your bodies response to stress. ⠀ 

In healthy adults, cortisol is at its highest in the morning, giving you the drive and energy to begin another internal cycle within the body at the start of a new day. It is also released whilst we exercise. Well balanced cortisol levels are vital for basic human survival, but when these levels fall out of whack it can have unfavourable side effects. 

Cortisol is a natural steroid hormone created in the adrenal glands, where it then gets into the bloodstream and travels around the rest of your body.

Due to the very nature of the hormone and the fact that there are cortisol receptors within most of your body cells, it can effect everything: Skin, temperature, blood pressure, appetite, memory processes and many other things. Too much cortisol can overload natural body processes, and cause inflammation. 

 Stress & Your Skin
Stress causes a chemical response in your body that makes skin more sensitive and reactive. This is mainly down to cortisol preventing the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation, and we all know what unwanted issues chronic inflammation can bring. ⠀
⠀
High levels of perceived stress and increases in cortisol have been found to lengthen the wound-healing time in healthy adults. It also interferes with the testosterone pathway, making sebum sticky and therefore more likely to trap any bacteria build-up in the pores and cause breakouts. 

Your emotions and mental health are so closely connected to your skin and in order to try to keep those levels of inflammation down, its important to take note of what might be causing those cortisol levels to rise, as well as looking into any topical treatments or products. ⠀

Stress is proven to weaken the immune system, which is essential to keeping us healthy! The stress hormone, corticosteroid, suppress the immune function so that our infection-fighting white blood cells are less able to battle the antigens that enter our body. So, you may notice in particularly stressful times that you’re more prone to getting a sniffly nose or adrenal fatigue.

The body’s response to stress increases your heart rate. The stress hormone, adrenaline, that’s triggered by the natural “fight or flight” response, causes the heart to beat faster and blood pressure to increase. So, constant stress puts your internal self into overload –damaging effects on your health, skin and hair, too! 

HOW STRESS AFFECTS YOUR SKIN HEALTH

ACNE

There are a few reasons why you might notice breakouts on your skin, whether that be in the form of acne, psoriasis or eczema. The release of the stress hormone, Cortisol, throws your other hormones off balance, causing imperfections to appear on the skin. Stress can also affect your gut, by outweighing the good and bad bacteria that sits in it. Uneven bacteria in the gut can cause rashes and hives, as well as unwanted pimples.

There’s the added factor of diet when you’re experiencing stress. When working long hours, it’s not uncommon for you to choose quick and easy food, as well as energy drinks or coffee to keep you going. These dietary choices can show up as pimples and blemishes on the skin, and exacerbate existing skin conditions.

UNDER EYE BAGS

Under-eye bags are far from ideal – they make you look tired and ill, and there’s only so much concealer you can cover them with. When you’re experiencing stress or burnout, there’s a high chance that you’re lacking the sleep you need, which in turn makes you feel more stressed. Sleep deprivation results in higher levels of Cortisol itself, so it antagonizes the body even more!

Bags under the eyes are caused by the pooling of fluid to the area around the eyes, and the best way to fix them is by getting more sleep and staying hydrated. You can also apply serums, which can improve the appearance of under-eye bags. Evoq’s Eye and Lip Cream is proven to encourage the renewal of skin health, reduced inflammation and stagnation and tighten and hydrate the skin so it looks firmer.

DARK CIRCLES

When we are stressed, we can actually break the fragile and vulnerable capillaries under your eyes. The blood can leak into the epidermis and become oxidized, which will result in a dark purple hue and a discoloration of the skin, creating the dark circles – giving that tired appearance.

Not only this but when your body is dealing with stress, blood will be distributed to different, more important areas of the body, which doesn’t include the face and skin. The more stress your body is under, the more likely you are to look pale and drained as the blood is focused on the organs; making sure they keep working correctly. This, in turn, will make the appearance of dark circles more noticeable against the paler skin.

DRY FLAKES & FINE LINES

When we are stressed, our body can react in different ways. We may feel more emotional, lose our appetite, experience mood swings or it can affect our sleep – resulting in difficulty to function throughout the day.

This is when the fine lines and wrinkles can form as a result of your body choosing to produce more cortisol. This stress hormone has been known to break down collagen in your skin, so the more stressed you are, the more the hormone will attack your skin regeneration, resulting in a few new fine lines and wrinkles.

With lack of sleep, you will begin to show signs of fatigue; Fine lines and wrinkles will appear as the elasticity weakens, with your eyes falling victim first.

Dehydration can be dangerous for your inner organs as well as your skin, which is itself an organ. Hydration is a key factor in the body’s production of collagen, which is what keeps your skin looking bright, youthful and plump. Without collagen, wrinkles and fine lines are more visible, and skin may start to sag.

Staying hydrated will also keep your skin from looking dry and flaky – you should moisturize on the outside and stay hydrated on the inside to avoid dry skin! Try Evoq’s Ultra hydrating Youth Renew Oil or Pro-Collagen Cream for full-face hydration – taking the time to quiet your mind and relaxation time you need!

HOW IT AFFECTS HAIR HEALTH

Stress has been linked to hair loss and thinning, but the causes could differ! The same way stress can damage the appearance and feel of your skin, it can also be detrimental to the health of your hair.

HAIR LOSS

There are three stages to the hair growth process: The Anagen stage (growth), the Catagen stage (transition), and the Telogen stage (rest). Stress can trigger what’s known as Telogen effluvium, which occurs when the hair growth cycle stops at the Telogen stage, and the follicles don’t grow any new hairs.

Telogen effluvium is a reversible condition and is just a temporary disturbance to the cycle. With changes to lifestyle, you can stop it.

Alopecia areata is a condition where the immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing patches of hair to fall out at one time. It’s often associated with experiencing high levels of stress for an extended period. The cause of it is likely to be a weakened immune system, so once you lower stress levels, the hair will stop falling out and in most cases grow back.

If you are experiencing hair thinning, try the powerful Root Revival Hair Health program. It’s proven to promote hair growth using actives that strengthens hair and encourages high cell turnover for new hairs to grow. So powerful, its two times stronger than minoxidil.

Not to forget all negative thoughts low in frequency literally dump maladaptive frequencies and stress producing hormones your body - effecting your health by lowering your immune system.

Is meditation or a cup of hot caffeine free herbal tea calling you?

Net Net:Today’s Epidemic of STRESS is Real - dangerous.  

-  This is mission-critical -

When it comes to your wellness and beauty, do you seek the right techniques that will help you work smarter, not harder - yet you still find yourself stuck in complete overwhelm wanting to cut through the crap and get crystal clear on what’s really going on and what’s really draining you from achieving your deepest desires, goals & dreams? 

Your Mission should you choose to accept is to learn how to master your energy and time on a daily basis so that productivity, serenity, and clarity become a way of life for you. Complete each day having accomplished what you set out to do, feeling fulfilled, at peace and with joy.    

What to learn more about how you can address your stress at the deepest level by integrating quantum health and beauty biofeedback?

CONTACT ME TODAY | kassieannk@gmail.com

How Your Lifestyle Accelerates Aging & Affects Skin Health [tips + science inside]

In my previous article, I noted that our body’s biological system is influenced by our genetics. In fact - science proves that 80% of our health state is from the daily choices and our direct environment. The other 20% is hard coded. This should come a a great relief (and a little pressure of course).

Why does our skin ages and what we can do about it?

Aging occurs because of two different factors: intrinsic and extrinsic. You don't have much control over intrinsic factors, which are influenced by your genes, ethnicity, and certain medical conditions. But there is a major upside because you can have a huge impact on your extrinsic factors like UV exposure, stress, smoking, nutrition and lifestyle choices, which are major contributors to the aging process.

How do these extrinsic factors contribute to aging? All of them can generate the trifecta of reactions that create fines lines, wrinkles, and skin sag: oxidation, inflammation, and glycation. When you combine these three things, you hit the jackpot for premature aging.

Below we get one to one on terminology, how it affects our fundamental biology, and how to integrate lifestyle and nutritional habits to assist healthy aging and brighter skin.

---

Oxidation

Mitochondria are tiny "organelles," thousands of them in each cell, that are the power plants for our metabolisms. Their waste products include oxygen in a form that is super-reactive and therefore toxic. The cell has an effective mechanism for quenching these ROS (reactive oxygen species).

---

Insulin chemistry

The body gradually loses its ability to respond to insulin, and poisons itself with excess blood sugar.

All the food you eat gets converted into glucose, which is the simplest form of sugar that your body can use for energy. Foods containing more sugar—think packaged cereal, crackers, sauces as well as foods that are more readily converted into sugar like refined carbohydrates—can flood your system with glucose.

---

Glycation (cross-linking of proteins and sugars)

Skin + Glycation

When sugar combines with protein or fat in the bloodstream, the result is the formation of harmful compounds called advanced glycation end products (also knowns as AGEs). AGEs can be formed spontaneously in the body or they can be formed in foods like fried foods and highly processed products like red meat, margarine, nuts, and butter. Cooking methods using high temperatures—like frying, grilling, and toasting—can also contribute to AGEs formation.

In your skin, AGEs are formed with collagen and elastin causing these fibers, which are integral to a supple and youthful appearance, to become stiff, inflexible, and prone to breakage. Translation: Your skin becomes less elastic, wrinkled, saggy, and more vulnerable to sun damage.

---

Inflammation

An important tool for fighting infection, but it becomes over-reactive in old age, and the body begins attacking itself. Excessive inflammation plays a central role in cardio disease and in arthritis, and a lesser role in Alzheimer's disease

Skin +Inflammation: Your body is on a roller coaster of high and low blood sugar spikes and labile insulin levels, which can lead to skin sag, inflammation, and chronic disease. Chronic inflammation is at the root of chronic disease systemwide and your skin is no exception. Inflammation can worsen rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema and can also weaken the collagen and elastin in your skin over time, leading to skin laxity, poor wound healing, and uneven tone and texture.

---

Apoptosis

A term for programmed cell suicide. Cells are programmed to die when they are unhealthy or when they become cancerous.

But there is evidence that in old age, healthy cells undergo apoptosis as part of the body's self-destruction program.

---

Telomeres & Replicative Senescence

All cells have built-in counters called telomeres tacked on to the end of each chromosome. With each time the cell reproduces, the telomere becomes shorter, and eventually the cell to stop reproducing.

Longer telomeres have longer life spans.

---

De-methylation

With age, DNA loses methyl groups that control gene expression, and as a result genes are expressed in the wrong place at the wrong time.

---

Let’s recap with some final tips!

Addressing Cellular Health by Eating for a Youthful Glow ….

So in closing, there are a lot of things in our food supply and environment that threaten our skin health, cellular health and our overall mood and appearance. Focusing on certain foods can make a huge ( all the ) difference.

1. Antioxidant-rich foods

Eating foods rich in antioxidants like tomatoes (lycopene), berries (polyphenols), dark leafy greens (Vitamin E), and spinach (carotenoids) can limit damage caused by free radicals and AGEs. Pair your meal with a few cups of green tea (catechins) and coffee (caffeic acid) for an added boost.

2. Anti-inflammatory foods

Adding in foods rich in carotenoid plant compounds like lycopene (tomatoes, watermelon, and guava), lutein (pumpkin, pistachio, dark leafy greens), and zeaxanthin (parsley, kale, egg yolk) will give you an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant jolt. Foods rich in zinc, selenium, and copper like lentils, eggs, dark chocolate and almonds are also vital to the formation of collagen and elastin and help decrease inflammation.

3. Anti-glycation foods

Foods that limit rapid, sharp spikes in blood sugar can help limit AGE formation. So can utilizing cooking methods using low temperatures and water-based moisture like steaming, poaching, and stewing.

Apples, asparagus, figs, celery, green peppers, cauliflower, and onions have been shown to combat the process of glycation as they are rich in phytonutrients, beneficial compounds, including rutin, quercetin, and luteolin.

Adding in high fiber vegetables like artichokes and broccoli, as well as herbs and spices including cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, garlic, sage, thyme, and fenugreek can help keep blood sugar levels steady and block collagen-damaging AGEs.

The best part of all of this is that these foods can be used in so many delicious recipes. Protecting your skin doesn't mean only eating bland, boring food. So bon appetit and cheers to long-term skin health.

Hippocrates is famously quoted for saying, "Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food," but I would argue that food can be the fountain of youth, too.

Love n Light - Kassandra

ACNE: What is it and how do you deal with it?

There is no classic acne case. Those who suffer from acne are all of different ages, different backgrounds and different lifestyles. What they share is their frustration with the condition of their skin. They all want to know why this is happening to them.

Let's start at the beginning.

There are three major organs in the human body that are responsible for the elimination of waste and toxins: the liver, the kidneys and the skin. We take for granted that the skin is an organ involved in the excretory process. Many of us treat our skin like we might a vinyl floor, scrubbing, overcleaning, overdrying and applying harsh chemicals to it. Not only is this type of treatment unnecessary, but it can cause longterm harm to the skin, and will probably not improve the situation much.

If the liver and the kidneys are overwhelmed by the number of substances to be cleared and eliminated from the system, the skin takes over. The liver will clear caffeine, hormones, allergens or sources of sensitivities, chemicals, including food additives and coloring agents, as well as a host of other substances to which you are exposed on a daily basis. It is no small wonder why many of our livers are crying out for a little support.

The skin, in an effort to back up the liver and the kidneys in the removal of unnecessary substances from the body, will become overwhelmed and affected by the amount of waste that is forced out through its pores. This process disrupts the skin's integrity and affects its appearance.

Sometimes the appropriate topical treatments are enough to help the skin cope with the overload. By keeping pores open, by absorbing excess oil and keeping the proliferation of bacteria in check, the correct product may work to clear the skin.

However, if the problem is more extreme, or of a deeper underlying nature, more may be required.

Serious medications such as accutane have serious side effects. They correct the problem, at a cost. In some respect this type of medical treatment simply kills the symptom (the acne) without addressing the underlying cause. In some cases, acne recurs, albeit in time.

If your objective is the preservation of longterm and comprehensive health as well as beauty, the key is to lighten the load on your other excretory organs, and watch the skin begin to clear. This sounds easy, but is in fact no small task.

Hormones

Anyone who survived adolescence knows that hormones begin to rage during the teenage years. This is usually the time when acne makes its first appearance. Later in life, we may experience it again with hormonal changes, including premenstrual and perimenopausal episodes.

While any hormonal excess can promote acne, the male hormones (which are present in both males and females, only in differing amounts) are particularly notorious for stimulating the cells in the hair follicle to produce more keratin (a hard protein that forms hair, skin and nails). Additionally, male hormones such as testosterone cause the oil glands to enlarge and produce more oil. This traffic jam of substances trying to escape the pore can cause a blockage.

The blockage of the hair canal can in turn promote the overgrowth of bacteria, which will promote inflammation. This is the redness that you see when a pimple becomes infected. Not all pimples, however, become infected.

If the bacterium grows out of control, the hair canal can rupture. If it does so on the surface of the skin, the result is a pustule. If it does so more deeply into the skin, the result may be a cyst, which requires a doctor’s intervention to successfully treat. Cysts can result in significant damage and possibly scar formation, so it is well worth the doctor’s visit.

Interestingly, blood levels of testosterone are not always indicative of a hormonal overload. The problem appears to lie in the skin’s ability to metabolize the hormone. Acne patients show a greater activity of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone into a more potent form, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The conversion into DHT seems to be the more direct cause of the acne, and is also the primary cause of unwanted facial hair in women.

MINERALS CAN HELP

Certain minerals such as Zinc and Sulfur are fabulous skin healers and builders. Make sure your diet is rich in fresh produce to ensure proper mineral content, and supplement with a high quality multi-vitamin that will guarantee you a dose daily. Extra zinc in supplement form does wonders for many people suffering from this type of acne.

Some herbs, such as saw palmetto and pygeum, have been found to curb the conversion of testosterone into DHT. This can be especially helpful for stubborn acne cases where DHT is a factor. In some cases, Saw Palmetto has had the welcome side effect of minimizing unwanted facial hair in women.

SUGAR

If you love chocolate half as much as I do, you despise the notion of sugar having anything to do with acne breakouts.

This is a fairly contraversial subject, and most researchers agree that the connection between sugar and acne is at best indirect, and certainly not universal (phew!).

However, the skin cells of acne patients have in many cases demonstrated the inability to metabolize sugar correctly . Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that promotes the uptake of sugar by the body cells. In many acne patients, there seems to be an impaired uptake of blood sugar by the skin cells, due to insensitivity to insulin. Some researchers believe this is a factor contributing to acne breakouts.

Sugar is not the only culprit. Refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, white pasta and white rice, are converted quickly into sugar in the system. At the very least, this bogs down the system by requiring much effort on the part of the pancreas. Further, many researchers believe this reduces immunity considerably. Reduced immunity becomes a factor in acne, because acne involves infection. You want to keep your immunity strong to fight off acne infections, so I suggest you seriously reduce or eliminate all refined carbs, sugary foods included.

STRESS

Few of us can claim to be unaffected by stress. Stress comes in many forms, among them psychological, physical and environmental.

The body secretes anti-inflammatory hormones in response to stress and trauma. If, however, you are operating under long-term stressful or traumatic conditions, these hormones can cause side effects, including the hormonal toxicity that can result in acne.

Try to take some time for yourself every day to unwind and relax. Meditation, a hot bath, soft music, candles and recreational reading can all help relax tightly strung nerves.

WEAPONS YOU CAN USE TO FIGHT ACNE:

1. Stressing out over stressful situations never helps matters, so focus on getting past it and don't let the situation frazzle your nerves.

2.Calcium and Magnesium do more than strengthen bones, they help to soothe the nerves and reduce sugar cravings. Make sure you supplement with these essential nutrients, as part of your high qualtiy multi-vitamin and mineral formula, although extra calcium will probably be needed, since calcium is too bulky to be sufficiently contained in a multi.

3.Vitamin C and a good Bioflavonoid complex will help to strengthen connective tissue, which includes, among other things, the lower skin layers (the dermis). These nutrients also act as natural anti-inflammatory agents.

4. Detoxification is a fail-safe method of cleansing the body of internal build-up and overloads of ALL kinds, and works really well for acne sufferers.

By detoxification, I am speaking of an internal cleansing diet that should be carried out under the guidance of a licensed professional. When the cleansing period is over, the tissues of your body will have eliminated a good deal of stored toxins that you have been carrying around most likely for many years, and the result is vibrant energy, increased metabolism and clearer skin.

5. Exercise accelerates circulation, which in turn speed up the excretion of waste. Try 20-30 minutes of activity every day, at least.

6.Drink water and plenty of it. The purest forms are purifed via a process known as reverse osmosis, or distilled. I am not a fan of Spring water. Call me a skeptic, but I sincerely question whether there is a single "pure spring" left on the planet.

7.Eat as much fresh foods as possible. Basically, buy food that is in a state as close as nature provided it as possible. That means fewer boxed, jarred, canned and bagged foods, and more fresh fruits and veggies. If you were a child and you were coloring a picture of your diet, would it be a rainbow of vibrant colors, or a pasty, pale range of tans, browns and whites? The more colors, the more phyto (or plant) nutrients, and these will keep the intestines clean and build greater vitality.

8.Milk Thistle is an herb that is venerated for it's powerful ability to purify the liver. I have personally seen several people overcome serious skin disorders like eczema with milk thistle and flax seed oil alone. However, not all milk thistles are created equal. Teas are largely ineffective, and many capsules are not properly absorbed by the body. A high quality liquid extract is your best bet.

9.If your diet is lacking in Fiber, then take Fiber Supplements. Of course, it is far better to eat plenty of fruits and salads, because in addition to fiber these foods contain a wide variety of nutrients. However, when your diet has been less than ideal, these can help. They not only speed up the elimination of food in the digestive tract, but they may help bind toxins as they go. Constipation fosters the development of acne, and can worsen an already existing condition.

10. Last, but definitely not least, increase the essential fatty acids in your diet, Specifically the Omega-3's.

11. Look for certain product ingredients that will help boost your skin's capacity to deal with the excess oil secretions. Fruit acid gels are excellent for exfoliating the skin and keeping pores unclogged. Use them regularly.

Reference: http://healthyskinshop.com/acinper.html

Stress Management and How Stress Affects Us

Stress Management in Our Modern World

Ask any doctor, yoga teacher, natural health practioner… what their patients’ biggest complaints are and we guarantee the answer is stress-related. Yes, guarantee. Sure our modern world is full of amazing technology that make our lives easier, wonderful vacation destinations that make our lives more relaxing and medications a plenty to make all of our boo-boos go away like that.  But the more that our contemporary world has to offer, the more responsibility we assume. We have to learn to use that new microwave, take 2 hours of our precious time at the travel agents to book that flight, and work 40 hours a week to have benefits that cover those pricey meds.

Types of Stress, a Caveman & the Stress Response

There are two different types of stress, the first being acute stress or short-term, the less severe of the pair. Acute stress is that rush we feel in a sticky situation – that deadline in an hour, that fender-bender last week. This type of stress quickly fades once the threat is gone. The second type, chronic stress or long-term, is more brutal than the latter. In today’s 24/7 world, many people stay with their chronic stress symptoms for months or even years. This type of on going stress is one of the most common causes of mental illness and disease today.

In another perspective, stress can be a  good reaction as well, as it protects us from harm. Just imagine a strong, tall, and unruly caveman running for his life, a vicious wild beast hot on his trail. Although, as soon as he saw the viciousness  on his opposite, this particular caveman’s body went through a rapid series of hormonal responses that ran through his brain, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands so that he could, well, run for the hills! Let’s take a look at the process.  First, his brain secreted a hormone messenger to the pituitary (also located in the brain) which sent another messenger to his adrenals to release cortisol. The release quickly shifted the blood, oxygen and energy flow away from the digestive and reproductive systems to the muscles and heart. Thus his quick get away. Phew!

How Stress Affects Us

The problem is we are no longer cavemen running for our lives. In fact, we are far from it. So far in fact, the stress response is working against us.

Our bodies go through the same process as his, only many of us are so consistently overwhelmed that we don’t shut it off the way he did once safely at home. This chronic stress means that our body is always in “fight or flight” mode, never fully resting; be it days, months or years. And the problem with never shutting off is that long-term stress affects the body in ways we could have never imagined.

Here are a few of a lengthy list:

-       Dysfunctional blood sugar metabolism, often leading to diabetes

-       Cellular aging leading to older appearance and shorter life span

-       Literally, restructuring a brain, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression and/or other mental disorders

-       Heart problems, oftentimes deadly such as heartattacks

-       A conflicted immune system often resulting in auto-immune diseases wherein the body attacks its own cells

Common Auto-Immune Disorders Caused or Heightened By Stress:

-       Allergies

-       Cystitis

-       Diabetes

-       Hyper or Hypthyrodism

-       Narcolepsy

-       Psoriasis

-       Rheumatoid arthritis

-       Schizophrenia

Once this stress response has been turned on for a significant period of time, the adrenal glands become wiped out. This happens over the period of time, in what some in the medical field describe as the three steps to adrenal exhaustion. At first, the adrenals are turned on like there is a ten-alarm fire in the body. Hormones, like cortisol, are pumped in to combat the flames. But when the stressors don’t go away, the second phase, or resistance response comes into play. The adrenals simply can’t maintain the demand for cortisol. Thus, daily functions are carried out but with a struggle. Anxiety and insomnia begin are more present as is irritability. In the third stage, the adrenals become exhausted. Fatigue sets in and different systems in the body begin malfunctioning. If stressors are not minimized, the adrenals will fail. Most patients at this point collapse or die of cardiovascular dysfunction.

3 Steps to Fight the 3 Phases

If you find that you are lacking in stress management skills or think you may be falling into a pattern leading to adrenal exhaustion, all’s not lost. Fight back with three easy lifestyle fixes: Nutrition, relaxation, and therapeutic techniques.

Nutrition

There is a lot to be said about the healing power in the right foods. Those that are stressed often reach for the easiest foods which are nearly always laden with sugar, fats, and caffeine. To get balance back, skip the coffee and sweets in favor of a diet that combines whole grains, proteins, and heart healthy fats (ie: olive oil). Eat three portioned meals and two snacks daily to keep blood sugar intact. Adding mineral-rich Celtic salt or sea salt is also beneficial, especially in causes of adrenal exhaustion.

Supplements can also help the body properly handle stress. This include but are not limited to:

-       2,000 – 4,000 mg of Vitamin C

-       800 IU of Vitamin E

-       B-Complex

-       Zinc and other trace minerals

-       Ginseng

-       Licorice

-       DHEA

If you plan on taking any of these supplements, please consult a doctor first as some may have averse side effects.

Relaxation

A change of pace is what most of us need. Now this doesn’t necessarily mean the need to pick up the pace but rather to change the pace. Therefore, if you find yourself running around like a nut all day everyday, by night, a soothing yoga and meditation practice is right up your alley. But if you find yourself deskbound, your change of pace should be something more lively; a ½ hour walk on your lunch break or a cycling class after work. This yin-yang approach to daily life helps our bodies stay in tune to being both sedentary and active. In essence, it keeps us balanced.

Therapeutic Techniques

Whether it is reading self-help books or going to see a counselor in the flesh, 99% of the population can benefit from therapy of some sort. Learning to see reality for what it is and most importantly, what it is not, is the first step toward mental stability. (Hey, most of our lives really aren’t all bad.) Once we have a handle on our emotions, we are better equipped to handle anything that life might throw our way.

Although stress is one of the biggest health issues of our time, it is one of the easiest fixes – no meds required. Taking the time to learn what causes your unique stress story and finding your own coping techniques are the first steps in a road to regain balanced well-being and freedom of life back.

Resources:

http://www.project-aware.org/Resource/articlearchives/adrenalfatigue.shtml http://www.womentowomen.com/adrenalfatigue/adrenalglandnutrition.aspx http://www.drlam.com/articles/adrenalexhaustion.asp

Kassie Kuehl is a respected leader and educator in natural health and beauty care. The founder of Kasia Organic Salon and many result orientated "beautiful health" products, and experts in ammonia free hair color.  Kasia remains on the cutting edge of all-natural, non-toxic, and organic professional hair, skin, and body products and services. To become an Informed Beauty, contact Kassie at 612.386.4044, or visit www.kasiaorganicsalon.com.

NEW @ Kasia! Microwavable Comfy Corn Bags

With those cold Winter days ahead, I thought you might enjoy these Microwavable Comfy Corn Bags from Kasia~   These are great to use on those aches & pains, and a wonderful pain relief for stiff joints due to arthritis!

Corn Bags are an all natural way to warm up,  relieve stress, tension, muscle aches and pains. They are made with 100% cotton fabric and filled with only the highest quality clean feed corn.

Kasia Warming Comfy Corn Bags can be used for both Warm or Cool applications:

Directions: Heat: Place your  Bag in the microwave as directed on the instruction tag attached (2-4 minutes depending on size) and enjoy the warmth for an hour or more to relieve stress, neck pain, back pain, sore muscles, cramps, arthitis and fibromyalgia pain... Cold: Place your Bag  and store in the freezer to use on icing injuries, headaches, fevers etc.

Use Kasia  Apothecary Essential Oil Blends to lightly scent the pillow:  drop 2-4 drops of oil on the pillow fabric.

• Relaxing - Lavender, Lemon Balm, Chamomile, Rosemary

• Headache - Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary

• Sinus - Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Spearmint, Lavender

Kasia warming comfy  bags are completely portable and easy to use.   Enjoy your use  while you relax on the sofa or at work on your computer, bring them to bed with you or in the car. The uses are endless!

These make GREAT  gifts!!!

Baby Shower  -  Just right to fit on baby's tummy....and instant heat to that colicky baby's tummy ache! Get Well Soon! Friendship Gift "You Warm my Heart"

PS:  Kasia Warming Comfy Bags will be available to lay in your lap as you receive your hair services at Kasia Organic Salon!

Newsletter: Autumn Beautiful Health according to Chinese Medicine‏

Click HERE to view our most recent Newsletter!

Greetings! October! Unbelievable isn't it? The weather has blessed us with enjoyable temperatures, but according to the number of "sniffles and lethargy" in our team's chairs this past month, lack of immunity and colds are testimony of needing to prep our "Beautiful Health" for Autumn.

I thought it would be interesting to look at this in a Chinese Medicine perspective! (Don't forget to grab our Kasia Tips below) Enjoy!

Seasonal Balance: Autumn Health and Immunity Tips

Things begin to fall and mature in autumn. TCM believes that autumn correlates with the lung system, which dominates the skin, respiration, body fluids metabolism, blood circulation, immunity and melancholy emotion.

In Autumn, TCM holds that everything needs to turn inwards so as to prepare for the harsh winter. Foods are important to ensure that the body adjusts to the changing seasons. The dry weather usually causes an itchy throat, a dry nose, chapped lips, rough skin, hair loss and dry stools. We need to eat to promote the production of body fluids and their lubricating effects throughout the body.

It is advisable to eat more food with sour flavors and reduce pungent flavors as such things like onion, ginger and peppers induce perspiration, while sour foods like pineapple, apple, grapefruit and lemon have astringent properties and thus prevent the loss of body fluids.

The Seasons, Stress, and Colds and Flu

Seasonal change, like any change, can cause stress. The main cause of stress in TCM is Wind. Wind is said to be the " agent of 10,000 diseases, " Wind is understood to be not just the movement of air, but also, any sudden change. TCM has known for thousands of years that stress can cause sickness, and modern research has certainly proved this.

Kasia helps you create a routine to combat autumn stresses and void of colds lethargic energy!

Strengthen your immune system with a * powerful diffuser * any 3 Kasia Apothecary Diffusion Blends to keep viruses and bacteria out of the air

*Infrared Sauna Cleanse and Rejuvenation

The Consequences of Not Adapting to Autumn

* Immediately: Injury to the Lung and Immune System.

* Later: In the winter, metabolic and digestive problems including diarrhea and undigested food.

Fall seasonal diet additions advised by TCM: Cool & sour foods: sesame, honey, dairy products, pineapple, pear, sugar cane, lily, banana and white fungus.

Infrared Sauna Guide and Benefits Explained

 

How Does It Work?

Kasia brings you the goodness of the healthy sun rays, while keeping away the harmful ones!

The sun is the primary source of radiant energy on earth, but not all of this energy is beneficial to us. Sunlight is a combination of visible light and invisible light. The seven colors of the rainbow are found in the visible light spectrum, and the invisible infrared rays and ultraviolet rays are found either side of the visible light spectrum. Ultraviolet rays are well-known for their ability to damage the skin, causing premature aging, sunburn and even cancer. In contrast, infrared rays are healthy, they penetrate into your skin deeply and dissolve harmful substances accumulated in your body. The infrared rays revitalize your cells and metabolism.

Key Benefits: 

› Increase the metabolism, burn calories, and help you to lose weight

› Relieve muscle and joint pain

› Remove toxins and improve the immune system

› Improve the appearance of cellulite

› Reduce stress and fatigue

› Improve the skin

› Improve a poor circulation

› Reduce depression and mood imbalances

Increase the metabolism, burn calories, and help you to lose weight

Far infrared saunas have been shown to assist in weight loss. Studies have shown that a 30-minute far infrared sauna session can burn 200-600 calories. This is in addition to the weight lost due to perspiration, which is mostly due to water loss and as such is quickly regained after the sauna session through drinking fluids.

The body has to work hard to cool itself back down after being in a far infrared sauna and this effort produces an increased heart rate and metabolism. It was reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association in August 1981 that the blood flow could double in such circumstances.

“Saunas are an important aid to weight loss and thyroid repair because as you lose weight, fat tissue releases stored toxins such as PCBs and pesticides.” Dr. Mark Hyman, author of Ultrametabolism

Relieve muscle and joint pain

Far infrared saunas can provide relief to patients suffering from fibromyalgia, arthritis, and painful joints and muscles. Far infrared sauna therapy penetrates deeply into joints, muscles, and tissues, it increases the oxygen flow around the body and increases the circulation. Natural body healing with Sunlighten™ therapy can lead to a healthier lifestyle for you.

Remove toxins and improve the immune system

We believe in removing daily toxins from our lifestyles. Toxins and heavy metals are found in our soils, personal care products, water supplies, and the air. They have a destructive influence on our normal homeostasis (the healthy function of our body), causing enzyme dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, and the weakening of our immune system. Many people do not realize that toxic overload of the body can produce these health problems.

The benefits of detoxification with Sunlighten's Solocarbon® heaters include decongested, brighter skin, an increased mental clarity, restored energy levels, fewer allergies, improved sleep, and a restored liver and immune function.

How does this work?

Essentially, far infrared rays cause water within the body to vibrate. Since the human body is approximately 70% water, this can have pronounced effect on our tissues:

1. The infrared heat energy penetrates deeply into the tissues, heating them and breaking down clusters of water molecules.
2. Toxins are then easily released.
3. The capillaries expand due to the extra heat, improving the circulation of the blood.
4. The body's metabolism is increased and the tissues are activated to produce needed enzymes.
5. Fat soluble chemicals are eliminated from the body through the sebaceous and sweat glands.

The average person sweats out 20% toxins and 80% water! In conventional saunas the average person sweats out just 3% toxins and 97% water.

Improve the appearance of cellulite

Cellulite gives skin a distinctive appearance, similar to an orange peel. It is made up of fat, water, and whatever waste products are trapped below the skin because of poor circulation. Infrared saunas can help to reduce the appearance of cellulite by heating the tissues under the skin and increasing the blood circulation, clearing the body of unwanted waste products and toxins.

Reduce stress and fatigue

Far infrared saunas can assist in stress reduction and provide relief from chronic fatigue syndrome. Relaxation is more important to your health than most people realize. According to many health professionals – the more stressed you are, the more cortisol your body will produce. Cortisol is the “fight or flight” hormone made in the adrenal glands. It raises the heart rate, blood pressure, and encourages the deposit of any excess calories into the midsection of the torso.

The infrared sauna gives you the ultimate relaxation experience. The therapeutic far infrared heat triggers an invigorating deep tissue sweat, leaving you feeling completely mesmerized after every session. Additionally, scientific evidence shows that far infrared therapy can help the body to maintain healthy levels of cortisol. While cortisol levels may stay the same or rise slightly during a sauna session, they drop afterwards.

Improve the skin

Infrared therapy has been shown to reduce inflammation and improve cell health. This means that wounds can heal quicker with reduced scarring and the effects of acne, eczema, psoriasis, burns and any skin lesions or cuts may be lessened. Far infrared therapy may help to reduce wrinkles and make the skin look radiant and firmer with improved skin tone and elasticity. It may also help to reduce cellulite trapped beneath the skin.

Natural infrared therapy can have amazing results in eczema and psoriasis treatment. Regular use of an infrared sauna not only helps to clean toxins from inside your body and lowers your stress levels (a proven trigger for both eczema and psoriasis), but also to control the skin inflammation. Infrared helps to eliminate the itching associated with eczema and psoriasis and then stimulates the healing processes of the skin. So you may be able to rid yourself of the risks associated with emollient creams, lubricating ointments and steroid creams that often cause thinning of the skin, acne-like breakouts, broken blood vessels, and stretch marks.

Improve a poor circulation

Improve your circulation in conjunction with our recommended Kasia Apothecary Essential Oils and Jojoba blends to help flush out cellulite!

The problems of high blood pressure, heart disease and a poor circulation may be decreased through infrared sauna therapy. During a 15-30 minute sauna session, the heart rate increases by 50-75%, providing a similar metabolic result to that gained through physical exercise. Your blood vessels become more flexible and there is increased circulation to your extremities, the capillaries expand allowing your blood to circulate at an increased rate. Effective blood circulation is vital for thehuman body to operate correctly, bringing nutrients (from your food) and oxygen to all parts of the body, and taking away carbon dioxide and other waste products to be eliminated from the body.

Reduce depression and mood imbalances

Far infrared heat therapy has been documented to boost the body’s natural endorphins just as if it were exercising. These feelgood hormones and the release of stored up tension and stress by the body's muscles and tissues elevate your mood, leaving you uplifted and relaxed, both physically and mentally. This can be an effective aid in the treatment of depression and other mood imbalance conditions.

Psychological Benefits

* reduced stress and anxiety

* increased creativity and intelligence

* reduced depression

* increased learning ability, moral reasoning and memory

* reduced irritability and moodiness

* feelings of vitality and rejuvenation

* increased emotional control

* increased self-esteem

* increased alertness

* improved relationships

* improved concentration

Physiological Benefits

* may help lower blood pressure

* prevented, slowed or controlled pain of chronic diseases

* boosted immune system

* lowered cholesterol levels

* improved airflow, especially in those with asthma

* younger biological age ________________

What do I do during an infrared sauna session?

Be prepared to sweat. You will disrobe in our private room and lie comfortably within the far-infrared sauna dome. The temperature and timer are set and you can relax to peaceful music for 15-30 minutes. When the timer turns off the sauna, you can remove the dome and simply get up on your own.

Is Infrared Heat harmful?

Not in the least bit. Infrared light and infrared heat have been used by doctors and scientists for decades. There have been thousands of documented studies and there has been no recorded evidence that there are any ill effects of infrared rays. Unlike ultraviolet rays, which can be very damaging to the skin and ultimately cause cancer, infrared rays are completely safe and have numerous beneficial health effects on the human body.

What to expect?

The Kasia Infrared Sauna is experienced while lying comfortably on your back. Your head stays outside the sauna for the duration of the 30-minute treatment. You will find the Kasia Infrared Sauna to be much more comfortable than a conventional sauna as you are not breathing in hot air.

After approximately twenty minutes, the infrared heat will have penetrated deep into your tissues, your pores will have opened up, and your body will be producing large amounts of perspiration. This release of sweat also includes toxins so the process doesn't just remove water.

The treatment will leave you feeling profoundly relaxed and stress-free.......