Founder, skyn ICELAND
What inspired you to support Lipstick Angels?
I love your mission. I have had so many friends and family members suffer from cancer and it is such a scary and sad time for most – that anything which lifts the spirits and makes women feel and look better, is great and I want to support!! I sat on the Manhattan Leadership Board of the American Cancer Society for several years, so this is a cause near and dear to my heart, I want to do whatever I can to help.
Your personal experiences with chronic stress lead to the creation of skyn ICELAND. What are your ultimate tips for relieving stress?
I think de-stressing comes down to having a toolkit of options…for different times, different situations, different moments. I think a beauty routine is part of the toolkit and we can make the inside feel better by taking care of the outside. We can improve our emotional state by improving our skin. We can literally become healthier and look healthier by de-stressing our skin. It is an important part of the de-stressing process.
"I think de-stressing comes down to having a toolkit of options…for different times, different situations, different moments. I think a beauty routine is part of the toolkit and we can make the inside feel better by taking care of the outside."
I also really try to break the stress cycle and not get in the habit of saying ‘oh, in three weeks when it slows down, I will go get a massage?!” I used to do that and I would crash before things ‘slowed down?!” Now I exercise almost daily, that is a huge stress buster for me. I get 7-8 hours of sleep on weekdays and 9+ hours a night on the weekend. Exhaustion multiplies the effects of stress. I also do regular appointments with my wellness ‘team’ including my kinesiologist, acupuncturist, massage therapist and esthetician. This can really help keep stress at bay. Then on an ongoing basis, I drink high levels of water and coconut water, I eat a diet high in vegetables/fruits/protein and low in white sugar and refined carbs. I try to get daily sources of magnesium, Vitamin B complex, antioxidants and Omega EFA’s.
But it’s important to note that stress can never 100% be alleviated. There’s always going to be stressors in our lives, whether big or small, and the best thing we can do is find ways to deal with it that work for our own lifestyles – healthy diet, exercise, sleep, quality time with family and friends or even something as simple as some quiet time to ourselves to read a book or watch a movie. All of this put together can help improve our emotional state, as well as our physical state.
Many of the patients we visit are struggling to relax in a high-stress environment. Through skyn ICELAND, you are helping us deliver hope and restoration. How does it make you feel to know that you are making a difference in cancer patients’ lives?
Incredibly good, makes me want to cry. Making people feel good and look better was my mission when starting skyn ICELAND, that is what keeps me going every day. To do it on this level, where it means so much, is everything. Thanks for doing such a wonderful thing for people and inviting us to help support you!
