My Skincare Routine Has Reduced My Anxiety

By Jamie Ambos

When I started college, I began to experience anxiety for the first time in my life. Of course in high school I had felt anxious over an exam or friend drama, but never before had I had true anxiety, a pit in my stomach that wouldn’t disappear. It definitely wasn’t severe, but it was present enough for me to know that I had to do something to combat this newfound feeling and feel more at ease in my new home. Immediately, I knew that the way to do this was through my favorite part of my morning and evening: my skincare routine.

I had felt anxious over an exam or friend drama, but never before had I had true anxiety

In the morning when I open my eyes and at night when I close them, my first thoughts are of skincare. It may sound odd, but it's true. When my alarm goes off, I don’t care to lie in my bed and scroll through my phone; instead, I get up and head straight to my bathroom to wash my face. The act calms me, refreshes me

and sets the tone for the rest of my day. And at night, after I drench my face in lotions and oils and rest my head on my pillow, I am ready for a peaceful night’s rest.

Skincare has become a part of my everyday life. I live for testing out new products by myself or with friends, watching Youtube tutorials and scrolling through brands and influencers skincare content. The ritualistic nature of skincare and having a consistent routine has brought me sanity on long, hard days that feel like they may have no happy ending. There is always a happy ending when you close out your day with your skincare routine.

I just completed my second-year of college and am happy to say I am the happiest, most comfortable I have ever been in my life.

I just completed my second-year of college and am happy to say I am the happiest, most comfortable I have ever been in my life. I am surrounded by amazing people who lift me up and inspire me everyday; however, that's not to say that anxious thoughts don’t still pop into my head. They may be less frequent, but the thoughts still come. What also still comes? The morning and the evening, my morning and evening skincare routine that is. And, as I remember that, I take a deep breath and know it is all going to be OK.