Dr. Jen Ashton’s RX: Foods That Fight Stress and Secrets for Stressed-Out Skin

Dr. Ashton’s Secret Weapon: “To-go” Containers

To avoid munching on something that comes out of a snack bag, buy portable containers with a couple of different compartments. At breakfast time, pack your protein-rich snacks, some purple foods, etc. You’ll avoid purchasing convenience foods at work, save time, and also lose weight.

In sum, remember to stick to the plan Monday through Friday. In addition to enjoying your wheat berries on the weekends, reward yourself in other ways such as indulging your sweet tooth with a piece of dark chocolate. The reason this plan works is that it’s sustainable and allows you to also have some flexibility.

Beauty Secrets to Heal Stressed-out Skin

Not only does stress take its toll on us internally, but it also wrecks havoc on our external appearance, especially our skin, causing everything from dehydration to worry lines to pimples. Dr. Ashton’s beauty secrets for healthy, radiant skin involve using natural ingredients whenever possible rather than chemical-based products. She draws upon the wisdom of the ancient ayurvedic school of medicine – if you can’t pronounce it or it’s not pure enough to eat, try not to use it on your skin on a daily basis. (Of course, if your doctor recommends you use prescription medications, you should follow their advice).

Dr. Ashton recommends three items everyone can use to make their skin look more beautiful. You may have many of these natural ingredients at home.

1. Cooking oils

Cooking oils such as safflower oil (or coconut oil) seal in moisture. Mix up a body moisturizer with a cooking oil and a couple of drops of lavender oil or vanilla extract for an aromatherapy boost that can help with circulation and have a calming effect. (Lavender is known to treat everything from headaches to inflammation.) You can use this as a total body treatment: massage into your hair, your knees and elbows, etc.