If you’ve ever suffered from a skin rash, hives, psoriasis, or any number of skin conditions, you may have found that the stress of it makes the condition even worse. Pain and itchiness become stressors that exacerbate your skin irritation as they further stress you out. It’s like a bad downward spiral. However, did you know that not only can stress result from your skin condition, but stress may an initiator of your skin condition in the first place?

This is obvious, if the stressor you’re talking about is an infection, a physical trauma, or an irritating detergent, but what if that stress were more psychological-emotional in nature? At the 2011 American Academy of Dermatology’s Summer Academy Meeting in New York, dermatologist and clinical psychologist Richard G. Fried, MD, PhD, FAAD, of Yardley, Pa., explored this skin-psyche connection.

According to Dr. Fried, when we experience stress, our skin releases neuropeptides that signal the brain to respond to possible infection or trauma. These neuropeptides can cause numbness, itching, tingling, or skin sensitivity. In the brain, these neuropeptides stimulate the re-uptake and depletion of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, that affect our emotions. This neuro-chemical depletion aggravates our emotional state causing further stress, which further exacerbates symptoms, in a negative feedback loop.

What does this mean for you if you have a skin condition? The bottom line is that learning to consciously manage your stress by creating a relaxation response in your body may be highly beneficial. Furthermore, consciously creating relaxation and positive feeling in your body may be just what your immune system needs to turn the tide and handle a skin condition effectively.

A key thing to understand is that your body is always fighting infection and toxins-they are everywhere around you. However, if you are relaxed, rested, and in a positive state of being, you give yourself a leg up on fighting off anything that could make you ill. Performing a practice like meditation every day is one way to boost your immune response and give your body the best opportunity to keep you healthy.

With that in mind, here’s a simple yet powerful meditation that you can practice to relax your body, boost your positive mood, and enhance the health of your skin. To practice this technique, if possible, find a quiet, distraction-free environment. Turn off your cell phone and commit at least five-ten minutes to your practice.

To prepare yourself, sit upright, with your feet flat on the floor and parallel to each other. Rest your hands, palms down on your thighs, and lightly close your eyes.

Take a few slow deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. As you inhale, imagine and feel as if your breath fills up your lower abdomen, then your upper abdomen, and finally your upper chest all the way to your collarbones. Exhale through your mouth, mentally say “relax,” and imagine as if your out-breath is releasing any stress out of your body. Count five-ten breaths in this way.

Next, breathe slowly in and out through your nose only. As you inhale, imagine and feel that your whole body fills with positive energy. As you exhale, smile as you imagine and feel that positive energy saturating your whole body. Take five-ten slow smiling breaths.

Finally, imagine that your skin is breathing. As you inhale, imagine and feel as if fresh pure air is coming into your body through every pore in your skin. As you exhale, imagine and feel as if you are breathing out through every pore in your skin. Take five-ten breaths in this way.

To finish your practice, let go of paying attention to your breathing, relax, and smile into your whole body including your skin. Imagine your body radiating with relaxed smiling energy. Take that positive feeling with you wherever you go.

If you practice this frequently, you’ll grow your ability to shift into a relaxed positive state at will, at any time.

Enjoy your practice.

Are you ready to quiet your mind, relax deeply, and manifest what you truly desire? Discover how to take your practice to the next level. For the best meditation techniques, information, and tips, be sure to visit us here.

Are you ready to quiet your mind, relax deeply, and manifest what you truly desire? For the best meditation techniques, information, and tips be sure to visit us here:
http://www.mindbodytrainingcompany.com/meditation/so-many-meditation-techniques-which-do-i-choose/

Author Bio: Are you ready to quiet your mind, relax deeply, and manifest what you truly desire? Discover how to take your practice to the next level. For the best meditation techniques, information, and tips, be sure to visit us here.

Category: Self Help
Keywords: stress and skin irritation, skin rashes, healing your skin, stress and skin conditions, skin health