Taming cultural stress with wellness expert Dr. Howard Murad
Written by Elizabeth Groening
Do you ever feel stressed, but you can’t pinpoint exactly where the negative feelings are coming from? For instance, you’re scrolling through TikTok before bed and feel unsettled for an unknown reason. What you’re experiencing is known as “Cultural Stress”: an unceasing form of stress identified in the early 2000s by renowned dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad, M.D.
“My patients were coming to see me and they didn’t seem to be happy,” says Dr. Murad, whose influence on holistic wellness reaches far beyond his iconic skincare brand, Murad Skincare Inc. “In the fullness of time, I began to understand that this is a new type of stress — the constant, pervasive and ever-increasing stress of modern living.”
Through years of investigating the phenomena of cultural stress, Dr. Murad, aka “The Father of Modern Wellness,” has discovered that our non-stop need to stay busy can lead to obesity, depression, dehydration, loneliness, a sedentary lifestyle and fewer genuine connections.
For example, when I was in high school, I’d go out with a couple of close friends every weekend. In the five years since I graduated, Instagram influencers became a thing, dozens of streaming services emerged and a global pandemic locked us all inside. Now, I binge watch shows by myself and keep up with thousands of online strangers and acquaintances every day. I, like everyone else, am under the relentless weight of cultural stress.
Nevertheless, Dr. Murad unveils to us the three steps we can take to lead more fulfilling lives. He practices what he preaches. During our Zoom call, he sat surrounded by his own vibrant paintings — a hobby he picked up while bedridden with a detached retina — and exuded such a contagious, youthful positivity that I was left smiling the rest of the day (and running to Ulta to pick up his skincare products).
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Here’s how to combat cultural stress, according to Dr. Murad:
#1 “Be imperfect, live longer.”
Dr. Murad’s research proves that the more we criticize our imperfections, the worse we feel about ourselves. He’s found that the most effective step in conquering cultural stress is:
Channel the joy and fearlessness you had as a toddler. When you “draw outside the lines” of your life, you’ll no longer limit yourself and fear failure. Releasing the pressure to be perfect allows you to reconnect with what makes you happy.c
is the best way to hydrate and restore your body.
Exercise jubilantly. Burning fat and building muscle relieves stress and refreshes your mindset, even if it’s just for 20 minutes a day.
Develop an inclusive skincare routine. Dr. Murad strongly believes that “Skincare is healthcare,” and promotes an inside-out approach. Protect your skin from the sun, pollution and chemicals with moisturizer and sunscreen. Meanwhile, prevent fine lines, dry skin and dark circles by staying hydrated and prioritizing sleep.
Find positive affirmations that work for you as a unique individual. Read them twice a day and journal whenever you feel like it. Eleven insights created by Dr. Murad, such as “Why have a bad day when you can have a good day” and “Give yourself permission to be successful” have been scientifically shown to reduce stress levels and can be accessed for free here.
#3 “A bear hug a day keeps the doctor and psychiatrist away.”
Prior to COVID-19, Dr. Murad used to end lectures by encouraging his 200 listeners to ask their neighbor for a hug. “Every time I did this, the transformation was so amazing,” he recalls. “All of a sudden, everybody was giggling and the hug made such a huge difference.”
Get your daily dose of physical touch. Dr. Murad’s scholarly findings determine that cultural stress largely stems from the false sense of connection we get from staring at our screens. Whether you get a manicure, massage, facial or a hug — Dr. Murad says what matters is getting quality in-person human interactions.
Above all, Dr. Murad wants people to be happy and healthy. “The stress is always going to be there,” he says. “But it’s up to us to make the best of it.”
Visit www.drhowardmurad.com to read Dr. Murad’s insightful articles on this topic, such as “Cultural Stress: The Ubiquitous Stressor Hiding in Plain Sight,” as well as his books, including the “Surviving Cultural Stress” series and “Conquering Cultural Stress.”
Header photo by Andrea Piacquadio
This article was originally published on Parachute Media
