Deborah Tosline wrote and published “Skin Remodeling DIY: An Introduction to the Underground World of Do-It-Yourself Skincare” in 2015. Her approach to skin care is based on a scientific background, love of research and over 30 years of DIY skincare experience.

Follow Skin Remodeling DIY on Facebook for weekly messages on health and beauty.

Oh, the weight of depression takes a heavy toll on the soul, physical, mental and emotional health and overall well-being. It may feel as if you are moving through thick syrupy molasses. Depression may result in a range of symptoms and under these conditions, it may be challenging to work, maintain routines and interest in past-time activities and most especially to take good care of yourself.

Self-care is challenging even when things are going well and you feel good.

In the past, I experienced deep depression and reached a point when I decided that I had to do everything in my power to help myself. In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s I devoured library and used books about nutrition, exercise, herbal teas, tinctures and salves, vitamins, nutraceuticals and essential oils (EO) to learn how I could naturally support and hopefully maintain good mental and emotional health, as well as physical health. I continue to learn and adapt my lifestyle to support optimum health.

I’ve relied on Do-It-Yourself (DIY) natural methods to support myself during depressive episodes and to promote good mental and emotional health.

The more that I rely on a holistically healthy daily lifestyle the better prepared I am to ride life’s waves. For the most part, my perspective is optimistic. I may have a day or two of feeling low, but it is quite rare and I typically bounce back fast these days. Most times.

However, responses to life may be situational and mental and emotional health can be negatively impacted as situations change. Argh! When life takes a downturn suffering through depression hurts and involves a range of emotions. My first line of defense is rest. Maybe that’s because I simply can’t move. After succumbing to rest for a brief period of time I slowly force myself to practice the teeny-tinyest of routines and self-care practices. This ultimately lifts my spirits and ramps up over time until I feel better and am feeling optimistic. Some hurts never heal and it’s one step in front of the other to move forward.

Depression and anxiety make it challenging to maintain responsibilities and take the time needed to care for oneself. When experiencing emotional and mental health issues, its vital to practice self-care and to seek out mental health professionals including social workers, counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists who can help you through your grief as you rebuild. Teach yourself (World Wide Web, YouTube, zines, books, etc) how to care for yourself in every way to promote good mental and emotional health to support pursuits to achieve life goals.

Self-care in the form of skin care plays an important role in healing from depression.

Practicing self-care in small ways has multiple, practical, effective benefits. I know that you know these things.

It’s one thing to know, it’s another to do.

The smallest self-care practice can make a difference in how you feel and help you move forward. The first step is to think about small ideas and minor plans, gently prepare for, do and then feel the results of doing something nice for yourself.  

Small self-care skin care practices can be easy to do and beneficial as you heal from depression.  

“Caring for my skin is one of the first steps in my self-care routine,” says Erum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist.

The skin act’s as our “check engine light” for our health and can boost how we feel. Routines are critical to our health. Research shows that folks with less consistent daily routines are more likely to be unhappy and to suffer from mental health issues and loneliness.

Routines can be comforting, feel good, anchor the day and provide a sense of stability and a small sense of accomplishment.

Uplifting benefits of skin care include:

• a skin-care routine provides stability that benefits mental health;

• focusing on doing something nice for yourself helps to stop a worry spiral;

• pampering skin on a regular basis triggers a cascade of brain chemicals that boost mood;

• skin care can provide a chance to bond with loved ones – boosting mental health;

• caring for the skin is an act of kindness that sends a powerful message.

If you spend a few minutes a day doing something special for yourself you show yourself that you are worth it. The body produces “feel-good neurotransmitters in the brain” when we plan, anticipate, and follow-through with routines. A study published in January 2018 in Frontiers in Psychology shows that the process associated with a routine is known to activate a region of the brain in the prefrontal cortex that is associated with a sense of well-being. Know that something as simple as skin-care can result in a natural little high. Soothing activities like baths promote physical relaxation which sends a calming message to the brain which reduces the fight-or-flight stress response.

Focusing self-care on nurturing skin can benefit mental and emotional health.  

The FASHIONISTA wrote the blog “How my Elaborate Korean Skincare Routine Helps Me Fight Depression” where she describes her experience.

On Essie’s “Skin Care and Depression” blog she summarizes her experience with mental illness and skin care. Essie shares how skin care helped her recovery with the hope her experience can help others.

For Essie, developing a routine set her up for a daily success. She makes a to-do list to remind herself how her day is progressing. When her thoughts are distracted, her skin care routine in the morning and evening help her frame her day around basic tasks. “Routines set you up for daily success” Daily rituals can become easier over time with a to-do list and routine.

Essie says that even if you just practice your routine in bed, it can be a landmark part of the day that anchors you to reality.

A skin care routine:

• specifically sets uninterrupted, low stress, time aside for you;

• is healthy and productive while also meditative and calming;

• with facial massage and masks is soothing and helps slow racing thoughts;

• allows you time to decompress and centre.

I hope that you are doing well. I wish you all good mental and emotional health and hope that in times of need that you and I will find ways to take gentle nurturing care of ourselves.

Once again, take good care of yourselves! ❤️‍🩹 XO Deborah

This article is intended to be used as general information only and is in no way intended to replace medical advice, be used as a medical treatment program, diagnosis, or cure of any disease or medical condition. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the effectiveness of the practices described in this article. Products or substances discussed herein are for educational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations of the author.