New Year, New Skin Habits!

After going through some hectic times in the past few years, 2023 is a promising year for everyone. We are proud and happy that our all-in-one natural psoriasis control bar keeps reaching psoriasis patients looking for natural and harmless solutions to control their symptoms all over the US. To start this year just right, we decided to share with you a thoughtful psoriasis-friendly list to consider in your new year’s resolutions for 2023:

Never Stop Learning About Psoriasis 

The more you know about psoriasis, the more you can make wise and healthy decisions to take care of yourself properly. We encourage you to contact the National Psoriasis Foundation and visit their website for resourceful educational content about this skin condition that affects more than 8 million individuals in the US. The National Psoriasis Foundation offers free webinars and has a helpline available: 800-723-9166. We recommend  staying up-to-date with other sources of information, such as:

1. Mayo Clinic
2. Psoriasis Association (UK)
3. Healthline

Record Your Symptoms

There is no one better than you to understand your body’s needs and reactions. It is essential to keep an eye on your psoriasis flare-ups. If you keep track of your symptoms, you will be able to identify factors like seasonalities, stress levels, alcohol consumption, diet, etc., that worsen or improve your symptoms. You can consider a traditional journal, or if you prefer something more practical and digital, there are several apps you can use to keep track of your symptoms:

1. Symple
2. CareClinic 
3. Health StoryLines

Reevaluate the Products You Use

From laundry detergents to medications, many products are associated with psoriasis flare-ups. Psoriasis is part of your life as well as the products you consume and put on your skin; for this reason, we encourage you to consider Dermabon, which is a natural handmade bar that does not require changes to your routine: use it during your daily shower as you would apply a regular soap, let it rest for a couple of minutes and then thoroughly rinse your psoriasis away. You can use it on any affected area, including the scalp.

Keep an Eye on Your Diet

Food is our fuel; as a psoriatic patient, it is crucial to identify the superfoods that won’t cause psoriasis flare-ups and keep an eye on foods that improve your mood and keep your nervous system up. According to studies, nearly 20% of people with psoriasis have some form of depression. For this reason, we encourage you to consider and incorporate foods that support your mental health:

1. Complex carbohydrates — such as starchy vegetables, beets, and sweet potatoes have more nutritional value. They will keep you satisfied longer than sugar and candy.
2. Lean proteins — provide energy that allows your body to think and react quickly. Good sources of protein include chicken and salmon.
3. Fatty acids — are crucial for the proper function of your brain and nervous system. You can find them in fish, nuts, and flaxseeds. *Remember to avoid ingredients that trigger inflammation.

Keep Yourself Active

Don’t make psoriasis an excuse this year; you can keep yourself active by protecting your skin from the sun by using sunscreen and choosing exercise clothes and fabrics that free flow and let your skin breathe while covered. Look for alternatives that make you happy, increase your heart pump and improve your flexibility. As we all know, exercise supports the body’s natural detoxification processes, a key component to keeping our overall health on top. The following list contains ideas to get excited about:

1. Yoga
2. Indoor Rock Climbing
3. Capoeira
4. Pilates
5.  Running!

Celebrate Our Differences

Whatever it is that makes you “different” is worth celebrating it. Sometimes we forget that we all feel and are different in one way or another. Psoriasis is just one of those things that makes us different “from the rest,” but keep in mind that this is just one part of your life, and embracing it might bring you a lot of healthy habits and make you more conscious about your health than someone who doesn’t have it. So this year, we invite you to love and take care of yourself more than last year by embracing what makes you “different.”

Identify and Use Tools to Improve your Lifestyle 

We encourage you to read Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear. As psoriasis warriors, we must understand that sometimes the key to keeping psoriasis symptoms under control is to keep habits and routines on track. This book is an excellent tool for habit formation and, even better, identifying the ones affecting your overall life. If you are not a reader, you can consider the audiobook version.

 

 

We also recommend Twill, a platform committed to helping people to take charge of their health and lifestyle by providing tools, information, forums, and tips. Twill offers a space for different communities, and the psoriasis community is one of them; Twill is a space to ask questions, share your experience, and know that you’re not alone.

We hope you enjoy this article! We invite you to write down all your New Year Resolutions and make the best of this upcoming year by keeping your psoriasis and mental health a top priority; we wish you the best and hope you keep reading our content.

 

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Sources.

• American Council on Science and Health: “Psoriasis Causes Depression, And Here’s Why.”
• Sutter Health: “Eating Well for Mental Health.”
• Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Psoriasis Diet: Foods to eat and avoid if you have psoriasis.”