You could have been experiencing puffiness of the face and eyes over the last couple of days. At times, this is seen to be more prominent every morning after you wake up, which often gets fine during the day. However, if this condition prevails for days together, then it is something that you should pay attention to. Why is this occurring, and how can it? Here's shedding light by Dermatologist Dr Pooja Reddy. "Facial puffiness does not originate from fat," Dr Reddy says. It can also be responsible for very high-levels of cortisol, or the stress hormone.
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Recently, Dr Reddy shared a video where she discussed puffiness around the eyes and face. She explained that when cortisol is higher, it triggers cravings for salty foods. This extra salt then increases the water retention in your body, causing fluid to accumulate in the tissues. This is the result of having a swollen face and eyes.
Moreover, chronic stress and lack of proper sleep for days may also contribute to puffiness in the face. However, the good news is that facial puffiness can be prevented. You don’t have to put cucumber slices over your eyes nor rub ice over your face. Just follow the three easy steps below to reduce swelling:
Avoid foods that are processed
Avoid salty and sweet food. According to Dr. Reddy, "one should avoid packaged foods for at least ten days." One should even stop adding excess salt to daily food.
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Get enough sleep
It's necessary to sleep 7–8 hours each night. Enough sleep will reduce stress and is also good for the skin. Get into a routine of going to bed at the same time and getting up at the same time.
Exercise regularly
According to Dr Reddy, walking for 30–40 minutes daily can help in reducing cortisol levels. Exercise on a routine basis not only reduces stress but can also help in preventing several health issues, and will also keep your weight in control.
