Yep, you’ve done it.
I provided a Christmas Survival kit for you going into the Christmas madness in December and now look- you’ve broken out because you over indulged.
But that’s okay, everyone does.
As we begin a new year, it’s time to embrace positive change for the better, and it’s a great time to do so. Everyone is changing their lives in some remarkable cliché- losing weight for the third new year’s resolution in a row, starting an obscure hobby or taking up a forgotten past time like playing an instrument. It’s that time of the year when everyone is trying some sort of diet, so no one is going to bat an eyelid if you’re a little choosy about what you eat.
The time is yours!
Begin by getting your diet back into check. I know little or nothing about cooking and meal preparation, however there are others who know a lot. There are some great clean eating recipe ideas for clear skin. There are also some foods you should avoid in order to help prevent further acne breakouts. Of course, make sure that your Acne Control Caplets or Acne Control Extra Strength Tablets are a regular part of your diet again!
In addition to watching what you eat, think about what you’re drinking. Alcohol can have a negative impact upon your clear skin. As I wrote in my blog last October, alcohol affects your hormone levels causing excessive production of sebum. It is also a hepatotoxic, which damages calls that act as a detox for the body. It also drains your body of nutrients. This isn’t to mention its negative impact upon both muscle building and undesirable weight gain.
Take care with alcohol. Try to limit it to special occasions and social events. Don’t be embarrassed to get a water. I’ve been drinking less over the past few months, and I love reclaiming my weekends from boozy nights out that see me feeling miserable the next day. If it’s not the hangover you’re suffering, than it’s the painful acne breakout that you’ll spend the next few weeks cleansing and applying topical solutions to in order to dismiss. Is it really worth it? I’m not going to dissuade you from drinking all together, but enjoy it in moderation- one or two drinks at an event and only once or at most twice a week.
Get more quality sleep. For the best part of 2015 I was averaging 4, occasionally 5 hours of sleep a night. Late nights studying, copywriting and catching up on work and early mornings to commute to internships saw me denying myself sleep. Unfortunately it was a luxury I felt like I couldn’t afford. More recently, I’ve been fortunate enough to get into a regular sleep pattern. Dating a barista, they often wake up at 4:30am, which compliments my usual 5:30am start. I’ve embraced this early start and aim to get myself to bed by 9pm. Having a regular sleep pattern makes sleep come a lot easier. Yes, I sometimes will find myself in bed at 10 or 11, but if I stick to the same time to wake up my body clock is still in check. To ensure quality sleep, ensure your bed is supportive and comfortable, that the room isn’t too cold or breezy (or hot and still), and try to avoid screens such as mobiles and tablets when you’re in bed. The light stimulates your eyes and can delay sleep. Back to the topic of alcohol, it reduces the quality of your sleep, so avoid it if possible. The quality of your sleep will have a positive regenerative effect for your clear skin.
Be positive!
It’s a new year, with new opportunities. Making steps to clearer skin needn’t feel like yet another New Year’s resolution chore. Small choices made throughout the day can add up to a positive difference. Whilst diet changes such as less alcohol may seem tedious, if you keep your goals in mind and ensure that you aren’t too punishing should you stray from the routine, but instead put yourself back on track, you are on a pathway to something great!
Who is Nick Bell?
Nick joins SkinB5 as a writer, contributing monthly to the blog.
A mid-twenties Melburnian cliche, the bearded student suffers wanderlust, a soft spot of his city's cafe culture and a love of cycling. He writes from experience, having suffered acne himself throughout both high school and university, and it's something he still battles today. Nick also writes a personal blog where he is documenting his journey for clear skin with SkinB5, having previously given up after years of ineffective products and medications.
