Like it or not, stress has crept into every aspect of our lives. From our jobs to our relationships, from what we didn’t do yesterday to what we need to do tomorrow, our lives overflow with stress. Even when we try to slow down, we stress about the time we’re spending not stressing. It’s a vicious cycle and, as far as our faces are concerned, it’s no laughing matter.

Although the debate is still very open ended over whether or not stress actually causes skin disorders, most experts in the field of dermatology agree that stress definitely aggravates existing skin conditions – like acne, eczema, rosacea, hives, psoriasis, cold sores, warts and blisters. They believe this aggravation is the result of a depleted immune system – which is worn down from the effects of stress. So your job isn’t directly causing your breakout – it’s affecting your immune system so that your body cannot function normally to fight off infection. And that’s just the opening a potential breakout is looking for.

So what can be done? How can we keep our high-stress, multi-tasking, PDA-filled lives from wreaking havoc on our skin? Here are four simple tips:

1. Eat Right

This first one might be the toughest to accomplish when you’re constantly on the go. Whether you’re traveling for work or criss-crossing town trying to get kids to soccer practices and ballet classes, there are definitely times where convenience wins out over caution and you find yourself in the drive-thru lane of your favorite fast food restaurant. It happens to all of us, but the more we’re hurried and stressed, the more frequent these diet mishaps can occur. The first step is keeping these batter-dipped trysts to a minimum (we would say to cut them out completely, but let’s be realistic). The second step is to make your good decisions even better. If you’ve decided on a salad, include some kidney or pinto beans. These and other varieties of beans are great sources of antioxidants – compounds that can help eliminate the free radicals produced by stress and fight off disease at the same time.

2. Sleep Well

You’ve heard women talking about getting their beauty rest for decades. Well, it turns out there’s some truth to the saying. Getting adequate sleep (at least 8 hours a night) is an important part of not only maintaining a healthy immune system, but also in giving your skin time to repair itself – to heal blemishes, to fight off infection before it begins – even time to erase those dark circles under your eyes (not that you have any – we’re just saying sleep would help if you did).

3. Work Out

Not only is exercise good for your body, it’s also good for your skin. When you exercise, your body flushes toxins out of your system and as you sweat, you are naturally cleaning out your pores. Of course exercise also helps to give your immune system a boost and gives you an outlet for the stress of the day. Don’t bottle your stress up inside. Instead, work it out on the elliptical climber or on the exercise ball – give yourself a built-in way to keep yourself balanced both physically and mentally.

4. Slow Down

This one may sound simple, but it’s the one most often ignored. In fact, most people end up getting busier in the process of trying to de-stress their lives. Set time aside for the gym. Turn off your cell phone on Saturday. Book a massage. Get a pedicure. It’s OK to take time to let yourself breathe. If it’s work that always has you going, take a personal day and pamper yourself. If it’s running the kids all over the place, see if another mother can take them every so often so you can have some time just for you (of course you can return he favor any time).

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