The power of slowing down

Urban life is like a high-speed train. People step on and off the train, rushing to their workplace, to the next thing on the long to-do list, to their next destination… Most of us move too fast to see and experience the true beauty of life. Stress and fatigue coming with the fast-paced lifestyle is damaging our skin and body health.

In such a high-speed life, we experience stress in many occasions. Stress can cause skin to be strained, which weakens its natural barriers against daily micro aggressions such as urban pollution or UV exposure, and reduces its natural regenerating capacity. With an accumulation of exhaustion, skin is tired out and skin problems can occur, such as increased dehydration, dull complexion, irregular skin texture and an acceleration of the formation of skin aging signs.

The second consequence caused by fast-paced urban life is probably chronic fatigue due to overtime work, long commuting time, overnight parties, lack of quality sleep…When our body suffers chronic fatigue, it struggles to produce enough energy to resist to external aggressions. This accumulated exhaustion weakens the body detoxifying functions and slowns down blood circulation. The signs of fatigue first show on our skin as dark circles caused by a poor blood circulation. Toxins, impurities and skin pigments accumulate, resulting in skin dark spots, clogged pores and dull skin.

So, how to find again the balance in life? The answer is simple: slow down, embrace a moment of silence and let your skin take a breath.

TAKE A FRESH BREAK

Flee the city and put yourself in the midst of nature for a while. Hiking or a trekking in a mountain or in a forest can be a good idea to take a fresh break. An oxygen-rich and pollution-free environment allows your pores to be exposed to actual oxygen and to breathe freely and easily. Meanwhile, a good walk does not just burn calories, it also helps improve blood circulation, which favors the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your skin and the eliminaiton of toxins and impurities in your body.

ONE MOMENT OF SILENCE

Many studies show that a 10 to 30 minutes mindfulness meditation can help people with jam-packed schedules and intimidating to-do lists to slow down. One moment of silence can help reduce stress levels, find inner peace again, and improve sleep quality. All these can relax body and skin, and help them recover from tiredness and strain. This necessary refuel can maintain the skin natural barriers from exhaustion after a continuous defense against harmful stress and regenerate the cutaneous immunity power.

SPEND TIME TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF

In such a busy life, we can not stop but we can always find time to do some small things which make us feel good.

Take a moment out of the day to enjoy a steaming cup of white or green tea, both of which can do wonders for your complexion. In addition to adding a blast of hydration to your skin cells, tea is packed with antioxydants that may also assist with anti-aging.

One of the simplest things is taking a warm shower, letting hot steam to open your pores. With efficient skincare products, it is an ideal time to wipe off the fatigue signs and remove the impurities. An extra five minutes under cool water helps tonify body and mind.

Taking time to choose a right and efficient daily skincare routine offering a sensorial comfort can improve the quality of life while helping protect your skin from different urban harmful agressions. That is why, in accordance with a holistic point of view, Vigne Royale offers the Urban Defense series: a luxurious skincare routine enriched with the R-Enols+ antioxidant complex, born from the fusion of Maritime pine & Grape OPCs and anti-aging Calendula, coupled with a nutricosmetic ritual to ensure an in-depth detoxification of the body as well as a solid supply in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals & essential fatty acids.

Slowing down does not mean to live a slow life. It is about recognizing how those small mindful things can make a big difference in the same fast-spaced urban life.