A Guide to Coping With the Stress of Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is a health condition that can have significant negative effects on more than just one’s skin. For many individuals who deal with the disease, oftentimes the mental and emotional toll it takes is far greater than the physical symptoms themselves.
These psychological factors can lead to high amounts of unhealthy stress, robbing individuals of their ability to view themselves in a positive light and, by extension, their willingness to take care of themselves and the people around them.
If you are in a similar situation, know that there are a few practical ways you can treat this aspect of your condition. Below we’ve written a guide to coping with the stress of plaque psoriasis, listing methods that have shown promising results for other individuals like you:
Managing Your Stress Levels
Stress has been identified as a possible trigger of plaque psoriasis symptoms. And because the symptoms can lead to greater levels of stress, an unending cycle of ever-worsening physical and mental symptoms can occur. Because of this, it’s crucial that you find ways to effectively manage your stress so that the cycle does not perpetuate.
You can do this through a number of ways, and we’ll highlight some of the most noteworthy ones below:
- Practice meditation and mindfulness
Activities such as guided breathing and mental body scanning can have huge effects on your ability to manage your stress. There are many different types of mindful meditation, and you can easily incorporate any of them into your current lifestyle.
- Engage in regular exercise
You may also practice yoga and other similar exercises to keep your mind clear and your body in good shape. While overly strenuous activities are not always advisable for people with plaque psoriasis, regular exercise can greatly improve your mood. It will also prevent you from becoming obese, which is another health condition that can aggravate your psoriasis.
- Do some introspection
Getting into the habit of observing and documenting your thoughts and emotions can be highly beneficial as well. Activities such as journaling let you identify factors in your life that lead to stress, allowing you to better manage these triggers and develop healthier mechanisms of dealing with them.
- Seek a support system
A solid support system is a powerful weapon against stress. Stay in close contact with your loved ones and if you need to, let them know about the troubles you are facing. You may even involve them with any of the activities listed here. Doing so will allow you to forge strong social bonds that have been shown to improve psychological and physical health in many individuals.
- Get out in the sun
Exposure to sunlight can boost your body’s ability to produce serotonin. This is a naturally occurring chemical that contributes to feelings of happiness and wellbeing. Try to enjoy some of the sun’s rays at least once a day for about twenty minutes. Just remember to wear sunscreen with moisturizer to avoid drying out your skin.
- Pamper yourself
Finally, practice self-care and give yourself a break every now and then. Treat yourself to a hearty meal of delicious salmon, for example. The omega-3 found in this fish and others like it reduces the symptoms of psoriasis. You can also soak in a hot tub at a comfortable temperature to loosen some of your plaques. Practice some TLC and reduce your stress while simultaneously treating your condition.
Conclusion
Living with plaque psoriasis can indeed be stressful if the condition is not carefully managed. However, the activities and lifestyle changes provided above are all easily incorporated into any routine. By adopting them into your own lifestyle, you won’t just learn how to cope with your condition but also learn to take control of it.
We offer individually customized, 30-day psoriasis treatment programs for anyone who is seeking relief from their symptoms. Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help!