Okay, this one’s a no-brainer: We all want clearer, brighter, glowing skin. Am I right or am I right? We’re willing to part with our cash in order to buy the latest creams and specialized serums; make expensive appointments for facials and peels, but did you know that you can get clearer skin with exercise?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it all before: you are scared of any type of physical exertion that goes beyond walking in your heels, or the idea of sweating up buckets is as glamorous as, well, sweating up buckets. But, exercise is truly amazing for the skin! I myself run and, only recently, have also taken up Hot/Bikram Yoga and all that sweating (yum!) has helped my skin stay clear. Well, I do get that occasional pimple smack dab in between my eyebrows. I very rarely get pimples, but when I get them, they’re of the in-YO-face kind. Sheesh!
Circulation is the flow of your blood around your body. Blood circulates around your body carrying nutrients and oxygen to your cells and removing waste products. Without blood flow, your cells die… Poor circulation restricts the blood and oxygen flow and thus reduces the nutrients your skin is getting and increases the risk of breakouts.
source
Makes perfect sense right? Think of the effects of hot steam on your face — the oil glands deep in your pores become active and release all the toxins from your skin, thus making the extraction of such things as black heads and pimples all the easier. On top of the cleansing effect on your skin, exercise can boost the skin’s radiance by improving your blood circulation, as mentioned above.
Here are some more benefits of exercise:
- Releases endorphins. Endorphins are protein molecules released by our bodies during strenuous activities that relieve us from pain
- Therapeutic. I find running as long as I’m not experiencing the dreaded runner’s “stitch” to be completely mind “clearing.”
- Improves the body’s metabolism. Another no brainer.
- Improves our digestion and lessens the risk of colon cancer and other digestive illnesses.
- Better sleep at night. Yup. I think that through exercise we release pent up energies that otherwise keep us on edge throughout the day and at night preventing us from sleeping well.
- ummmm…. clearer skin, right?!?
There are so many more benefits to exercise. Just make sure to have fun — you’ll find yourself more motivated to keep up at it. Also, work towards making it a lifestyle change, not just another passing fad you fall into then quit later down the road. Why not walk during your lunch hour? Instead of walking your dog for 15 minutes, why not go for 30? Just make sure you wear SPF if you do go during the daytime!
Anyone else have any tips? Don’t you just love that natural high after a nice run?!
- Mary
{ Leave a Comment }
Hi Mary!
Wow, I really, really love your site! I’m a bit obsessed with skincare/makeup, too (along with food, of course!), so this was right up my alley. And you probably get this all the time but you are absolutely gorgeous!
As for exercise, I’m a fan of running and yoga, as well. Where do you go for yoga? I’m in need of a new place since I left my gym.
Hi Sydney!
Thank you so much! I’m glad you like it!!
Currently, I go to Yoga Tree up in Thornhill where my bf lives and I really like that. I tried Moksha Yoga in North York (at Sheppard and Yonge) and I also liked that; I just find the instructors at Yogatree a lot more helpful in that they really try to help you out with the postures instead of just talking you through them. And I think they’re a lot more advanced? BUt then again I’m such a newbie I get my bum handed to me at almost every session.
Which one did you go to before?
And please keep up the awesome work with your blog because I just love it so
.