School and stress go hand-in-hand – The Famuan

The relationship between school stress and unhealthy skin can make you want to hide in the house. College students can face many stressors in pursuit of  their degree.

Academic stress can cause many students to feel overwhelmed by school. You have more responsibilities when you are in school. For example, there’s hardly any time for sleep between studying, working and socializing.

Makire Davis is set to transfer to Florida A&M University this fall from Tallahassee Community College, and she is excited about the big move. This is her last semester at TCC, and she says she has been under a lot of pressure.

“ I have been trying to get everything together so I can transfer into the FAMU nursing program. I didn’t realize I needed certain qualifications until the beginning of this semester, so I’m playing catch up, especially since I changed my major,” Davis said.

“I knew it would not be easy when I decided to change my major, but sometimes it’s just hard running backward and forward to both schools, making sure all documents can be transferred. I have been stressed out more lately than usual, which has been in my skin for the last few months. I have broken out so bad I don’t recognize myself in the mirror,” Davis added.

When your body is under stress, it releases a hormone called CRH, the corticotropin-releasing hormone, which you feel when stressed or worried. Stress can also cause you to scratch or pick at your skin, which makes acne and acne scars worse.

Sanaya Jones, a licensed esthetician in Florida, gives some insight on what college students should do to prevent their skin from breaking out.

“When I have students from high school through college visit me because their skin is breaking out, I first ask them how unhealthy is their diet,” Jones said.

“I understand my college clients are on a tight budget, so sometimes snacking, energy drinks and fast food are easy ways for them to survive. I tell them to drink more water, exercise, and pick up some fruit instead of eating potato chips; your diet plays a big part, especially when you’re stressed out regularly, which can cause your skin to break out.”

Here is a list of eight things that you should do to help with your skin routine, according to Jones.

1. Study your skin.
2. Get some rest.
3. Don’t pick your pimples.
4. Do not touch your face throughout the day, especially with dirty hands.
5. Be mindful of what you’re eating and drinking.
6. Talk to your doctor about creams and oral medications.
7. Talk to a board-certified dermatologist or a licensed esthetician if your acne is severe.
8. Adopt a simple skincare routine that includes washing your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser and keeping it hydrated with a moisturizer.

How to fix stressed-out skin when you’re on a budget stress reliever exercise should be your first option, for example, deep breathing exercising, meditation, yoga, walking outside, and listening to some smooth music.

If you find the first option is not working for you, that means that you are under chronic stress, which means you might have to make a significant lifestyle change like adjusting your sleep or work schedule. Talk to your professors and tell them you’re under a lot of pressure, and don’t wait till the last minute to ask for help.