If you’ve been an avid reader of Ellovi blogs, you know that stress impacts total body health. But how does this actually work?

Stress triggers a biological response shifting the body to a state of high alert. The body’s response to stress is mainly controlled by the nervous system. 

The nervous system and skin health are deeply connected, as the skin is highly innervated and responds to neurological signals. Stress, emotional well-being, and nerve function all play a role in skin appearance, healing, and overall health.

How the Nervous System Affects Skin Health:

1. Stress & the Skin (Brain-Skin Axis)

• • The nervous system triggers stress hormones like cortisol, which can lead to inflammation, breakouts, and premature aging.

• • Chronic stress weakens the skin barrier, leading to dryness, irritation, and sensitivity.

• • Stress-induced habits (like picking at skin or rubbing the face) can worsen conditions like acne or eczema.

2. Nerve Function & Skin Sensations

• • The nervous system regulates pain, itching, and touch, influencing conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea.

• • Overactive nerve responses can contribute to chronic itchiness and inflammation in conditions like atopic dermatitis.

3. Blood Flow & Skin Health

• • The autonomic nervous system controls circulation, which affects oxygen and nutrient delivery to the skin.

• • Poor circulation due to stress or nerve dysfunction can lead to dull, lifeless skin and slower wound healing.

4. Gut-Brain-Skin Connection

• • The nervous system influences gut health, which impacts inflammation and breakouts through the gut-skin axis.

• • Imbalances in gut bacteria (dysbiosis) can trigger conditions like acne, eczema, or rosacea.

5. Sleep, Relaxation & Repair

• • The parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest mode) helps repair skin cells and produce collagen during sleep.

• • Poor nervous system regulation can lead to poor sleep quality, affecting skin hydration, elasticity, and radiance.

How to Support Nervous System & Skin Health:

Manage stress through meditation, deep breathing, and aromatherapy (lavender, chamomile, sandalwood).
Prioritize sleep to allow for skin cell repair and collagen production..
Nourish the gut with probiotics and fiber-rich foods.
Support circulation with movement, hydration, and massage.

Key Players in the Nervous System:

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The PNS is one half of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and controls automatic bodily functions that promote relaxation and long-term well-being.

Functions of the PNS:

Slows Heart Rate – Reduces blood pressure and heart rate, promoting a sense of calm.
Enhances Digestion – Increases saliva production, stomach acid secretion, and gut motility for efficient digestion.
Promotes Deep Breathing – Encourages slower, deeper breaths, optimizing oxygen flow.
Reduces Stress & Cortisol Levels – Lowers anxiety and helps regulate mood.
Encourages Healing & Regeneration – Supports tissue repair, immune function, and detoxification.

The Vagus Nerve – The “Master Relaxation Nerve”

The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve, running from the brainstem down to major organs like the heart, lungs, and digestive system. It is a main part of the parasympathetic nervous system, playing a major role in relaxation, inflammation control, and emotional regulation.

Functions of the Vagus Nerve:

Regulates Heart Rate & Blood Pressure – Slows the heart rate, preventing stress-related spikes.
Supports Gut Health – Stimulates digestion and reduces gut inflammation (gut-brain connection).
Enhances Mood & Reduces Anxiety – Stimulates neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, serotonin, and GABA that promote calmness.
Regulates Inflammation – Controls the body’s inflammatory response, reducing chronic inflammation.
Improves Breathing & Oxygen Flow – Helps regulate diaphragm function, improving breath control.
Supports Social Connection & Emotional Well-being – Plays a role in facial expressions, vocal tone, and emotional bonding.

Ways to stimulate the PNS & Vagus Nerve:

Hum/Sing – Vibrations stimulate the vagus nerve to help relax
Grounding – Identify 5 things you see and state them, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, 1 thing you taste
Movement – shake arms and legs gently 
Cold Water/Face Icing – resets focus on present moment (also amazing for skin)
Slow Focused Breathing – activates the parasympathetic nervous system – inhale 4 seconds, exhale 8 seconds
Leg poses – Happy baby pose holding both feet while laying on your back or legs up on the wall activates the parasympathetic nervous system

Choose all or some of these valuable easy ways to stimulate healing responses to stress to better support skin and total body health.

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At Ellovi we believe skin health is deeply connected to overall health and well-being. Our mission is to offer wellness using pure ingredients with safe and transparent methods. Self care is not just a luxury and it cannot wait. We’re here to remind you to invest in your health from head to toe, inside and out. 

Team Ellovi