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It\u2019s well known that the process of aging goes hand in hand with wrinkles, not to mention fine lines, dull and\u00a0sagging skin, and an overall loss of fullness and tone in the face.<\/p>\n
But what if aging isn\u2019t solely responsible for what you might be noticing in the mirror? According to Annelise Hagen, a pioneer of the face yoga movement and DailyOM course creator, \u201cwhat we associate with facial aging might not be aging at all. It might just be our reaction to stress and the poor health that follows.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve noticed any unwanted changes in the appearance of your face, you might be experiencing what\u2019s commonly referred to as \u201ccortisol face.\u201d In other words, the stress in your life may be the underlying culprit of the fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, sagging, puffiness, and more.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s good news, though. \u201cIf you address the stress piece, your face can look toned, youthful, and glowing at any age,\u201d says Hagen.<\/p>\n
Read on to learn more about what \u201ccortisol face\u201d is, why it happens, and how reversing it may enhance your overall vitality.<\/p>\n
Interested in learning more? Check out\u00a0<\/strong>The Science of Cortisol Face Reversal<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\nMeet Your Teacher: Annelise Hagen<\/h2>\n
From an early age, Annelise Hagen couldn\u2019t help but notice the negative beauty standards prevalent in our world. \u201cI remember, in an act of defiance, cutting off all my hair as a teenager, and people were so angry that I cut off my long blonde hair and defied beauty standards,\u201d Hagen recalls. \u201cThis was a moment in my life when I really realized it\u2019s important to not blindly accept everything and to make up your own ideas about what\u2019s beautiful. I realized we have power about the way we present ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now Hagen is the founder of The Yoga Face, a self-care method that blends breathwork, body awareness, and yoga principles to rejuvenate the face. And with decades of experience as a face yoga expert, yoga teacher, hypnotherapist, and wellness educator, she\u2019s known for her work in combining ancient yogic wisdom with modern beauty and wellness practices, helping thousands transform how they look and feel \u2014 from the outside in.<\/p>\n
What Is Cortisol Face?<\/h2>\n
Also known as \u201cmoon face,\u201d since it can sometimes present as round and puffy, \u201ccortisol face\u201d is a nonmedical term that describes the appearance of premature aging and inflammation caused by chronically elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, per the Cleveland Clinic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen cortisol is kicking into overdrive, this puts stress on your entire body \u2014 but in the face, it manifests as sagging, loss of tone, dullness of skin, jaw tension, and the breakdown of collagen,\u201d Hagen says. \u201cI think of \u2018cortisol face\u2019 as a catch-all term to describe the breakdown of our facial systems under chronic stress.\u201d<\/p>\n
Key Things to Know About \u2018Cortisol Face\u2019\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n- It\u2019s common in this day and age.<\/strong> If you\u2019re noticing changes in your face, you\u2019re not alone. \u201cIn general, our faces have become much more tense with modern life\u2019s escalation of pace that ratchets up cortisol production,\u201d Hagen says. \u201cOur sleep cycles have really departed from nature\u2019s cycles, for instance, and increased screen time is also accelerating cortisol production.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Facial signs of cortisol overproduction might include:<\/strong>\u00a0bloating or puffiness, loss of definition, wrinkles, sags and bags, fine lines, worry lines, and loss of collagen and elastin. Appearing perpetually tired is also common, notes Hagen.<\/li>\n
- Healing begins with the <\/strong>nervous system<\/strong>.<\/strong> \u201cAcceleration of cortisol production derives from the autonomic nervous system switching into fight-or-flight mode,\u201d explains Hagen. In order to counteract unwanted facial changes and enhance our natural radiance, we must activate the rest-and-digest response of the parasympathetic nervous system.<\/li>\n
- It\u2019s reversible with the right tools.<\/strong> \u201cWhen we look in the mirror and see our face sagging, loss of tone, wrinkles, or bags, this is a very demoralizing experience and a disappointing one,\u201d Hagen says. \u201cIt\u2019s empowering to realize that we have tools that can help us to stay youthful facially and healthy.\u201d Some of these holistic, noninvasive tools include facial exercises, lymphatic drainage techniques, breathwork, and somatic movement.<\/li>\n
- We can slow down the process.<\/strong> While it\u2019s not possible to fully prevent the natural loss of collagen as we age, \u201cwe\u2019re learning we can actually practice techniques that help us to prolong the production of collagen in an organic and holistic way,\u201d Hagen tells us, in tandem with stress reduction.<\/li>\n
- It\u2019s always wise to talk to your healthcare provider.<\/strong> If you\u2019re concerned about changes in your facial appearance, or how it\u2019s making you feel both mentally and emotionally, it\u2019s recommended that you consult your doctor, who may recommend complementary treatment options and\/or rule out other health concerns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Why Is Addressing \u2018Cortisol Face\u2019 So Important?<\/h2>\n
According to Hagen, your face is an indicator of your overall health and well-being. \u201cThe face is the canary in the coal mine, and it can raise the alarm bell as to what\u2019s going on internally,\u201d she says. \u201cDull skin, for example, connotes poor health and the breakdown of the structures.\u201d It might also indicate lack of hydration, nutritional deficiencies, stress, and exhaustion, among other concerns.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, authors of one research review noted that high cortisol levels could serve as an important diagnostic tool for various diseases. In other words, excess cortisol doesn\u2019t just change the appearance of your face \u2014 it affects your entire body, according to\u00a0research.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe production of too much cortisol stresses every organ of the body, especially the kidneys,\u201d Hagen says. \u201cThis will affect our metabolism and our gut health. We\u2019ve heard a lot about cortisol creating more fat around the midsection. It also accelerates heart rate and can cause heart stress and even heart disease. The whole cortisol phenomenon points to acceleration in aging.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
5 Reasons to Reverse \u2018Cortisol Face\u2019 and Boost Your Vitality<\/h2>\n
Yes, addressing stress levels can dramatically affect the appearance of your face \u2014 helping to reduce or reverse signs of premature aging and inflammation \u2014 but as it turns out, its benefits go deeper than the skin, too. Here\u2019s how taking care of your face can enhance your entire well-being, from the outside in.<\/p>\n
1. It may restore radiance and glow \u2014 without costly, invasive procedures.<\/h3>\n
These days, it\u2019s all too common to spend thousands of dollars on facial-rejuvenation procedures that might have serious health ramifications. \u201cWe can maintain and improve our facial appearance \u2014 and embody that youthful glow that will inspire others \u2014 with really simple practices,\u201d Hagen says. \u201cAnd if you can save yourself some money by practicing holistic health for the face, how great is that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For example, one\u00a0study found that face yoga improved facial muscle tone and strength, promoted relaxation, and enhanced the aesthetic appearance of the face. And a separate pilot study found that at-home facial exercises performed over 20 weeks helped increase fullness in the upper and lower face.<\/p>\n
2. It may help improve physical health and immunity.<\/h3>\n
Addressing your facial appearance is not just skin-deep, Hagen says. \u201cThe face is the harbinger of our overall physical and spiritual health,\u201d she notes. \u201cWorking with the face is going to help the body\u2019s underlying structures, too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For one, it directly activates the lymphatic system, which is essential for a healthy immune system. \u201cThe lymph system is the garbage removal system of the body, and when we practice lymphatic drainage for the face, it naturally goes down to the neck and the breast area,\u201d Hagen explains, which helps to flush out toxins.<\/p>\n
3. It may calm the mind and reduce stress levels.<\/h3>\n
\u201cI love to teach my students empowering practices that transform their faces for the better, and that are easy and simple while also calming the mind and de-stressing the whole system,\u201d Hagen tells us. \u201cThe antidote for cortisol face is to move the nervous system from fight-or-flight into rest-and-digest mode, or from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Stress-busting exercises and practices, especially when performed on a daily basis, are step one. Hagen adds that they slow the heart rate and decrease the production of cortisol to not only change the appearance of your face, but also to quiet and calm the mind while reducing anxiety and overwhelm simultaneously.<\/p>\n
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that some of the tools used to reduce cortisol face \u2014 including mindfulness, meditation, and other relaxation interventions \u2014 were effective at balancing cortisol levels.<\/p>\n
4. It may enhance your spiritual connection and promote self-love.<\/h3>\n
Using healing practices for the face on a frequent basis may lead to deeper self-awareness, a stronger spiritual connection, and more self-acceptance of who we really are at heart \u2014 a spiritual being in a human body, Hagen says.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBy befriending our faces as they really are, and sending care and love to our faces, we are honoring and acknowledging our journey as human beings,\u201d she explains. \u201cThe face is a core part of our identity. Rather than trying to change or mask it with makeup or invasive procedures, we can deeply inquire as to what our faces need and cultivate a more loving relationship with ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
5. It may restore a deep sense of empowerment.<\/h3>\n
Addressing our facial appearance is a way of taking our power back when it comes to our bodies. \u201cChanging our facial appearance through traditional healing practices, holistic health, and modern science without invasive procedures allows us to take hold of our own health,\u201d says Hagen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With a regimen of simple, natural de-stress practices and exercises, you\u2019ll likely be able to change how you look and feel \u2014 and step into the healthiest, most vibrant you for the long term.<\/p>\n
The Bottom Line<\/h2>\n
It can feel disempowering and disheartening to gaze into the mirror and see the effects of chronic stress reflected back at you. But the truth is, \u201ccortisol face\u201d can serve as a powerful wake-up call to better support your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t need to invest in costly procedures or inject substances into your face. Restoring your youthful glow \u2014 both externally and internally \u2014 can be done safely and naturally, in the privacy of your own home. And in time, you may notice that your transformation not only empowers you, but also inspires others to take their beauty and well-being into their own hands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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