Truth Talk from the 'City Of Stars;' 3 reasons taking a breath can save your skin!

Truth: I talk a lot. I can talk a lot about a lot of things, especially our Hotty Balm.

It is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I am often not left without words, especially  when introducing our product line and why it is necessary to the health of not only our skin but that of planet earth. An obstacle when I need to reign in this enthusiasm as to not be too much!

This is obviously a necessary skill when venturing into the City of Angels and hanging out in gifting suites on Hollywood Boulevard. Never short of words, I will attempt to save the skin of whoever should approach our BEE23 Natural Beauty table where we boast of the best nature has to offer, put together in the best way.

Truth: I’m already in my 40's and it can be very difficult to unlearn old habits.

My curse lies in finding a succinct means to relay the totality of things I want you to know into a short, meaningful statement and then…listen. I can be overwhelming when impassioned with hopes of offering a solution to dry, damaged or sensitive skin. AND there is so much I want you to know about the ingredients in your products, beauty trends and what works! With this said, I want many of you using traditional methods of moisturizing to try something new, so it is only fair that I work on new beneficial habits of my own.

Truth: Proper breathing not only improves our emotional and physical health but our skin.

My greatest lesson learned while in Hollywood was to breath, something every actor regardless of discipline knows. You would think I would have embraced this exercise with all my yoga loving tree hugging ways but I believe it was the entirety of the Hotty Balm Goes Hollywood experience that made “Just Breath” my mantra from morning to night. Whether to release stress, exercise, avoid conflict, allow for conversation to flow or find a solution, we need to breath BUT real deep breathing, the type that fills your belly.

This got me thinking, how does good deep breathing impact the overall health of the skin!?

The anatomy of the skin is linked to all our major functions, including the immune, respiratory, circulatory, lymph and neurotransmitter systems. Deep breathing has a positive impact on all these systems. In caring for yourself on any one or all these levels will improve the health of your skin. The top 3 ways breathing helps the appearance of our skin:

1. Less Wrinkles. Deep breathing creates more oxygen in the body and increases circulation. With more oxygen getting to your heart, the greater the blood circulation to relieve congestion throughout the body. Wrinkles are less with improved circulation.
2. Feeling Better Means Better Skin. Breathing deeply releases endorphins that relax the body and reduces feelings of stress. This creates feelings of well-being and the ability to have a good night sleep. Not only does this immediately relax facial muscles along with frown lines, it ensures a happy rested glow. But when you’re stressed, cells throughout your body contract. Over time this will create a sluggish system where nutrients and oxygen can’t get into your cells and wastes can’t get out making for pasty, pale and tired looking skin.
3. Immune System Has More Energy. Our immune system helps to defend the cells from free radicals. Free radicals are highly unstable oxygen molecules missing a single electron from their outer orbit. Since electrons like to travel in pairs, free radicals steal electrons from healthy cells, wounding those cells and setting off a complicated intracellular inflammatory response. More oxygen in our system creates more energy for the body to heal and detoxify. A healthy immune system helps tissues to regenerate and heal.

How do we practice deep breathing?

The quality of air we are breathing is super important, without going into why 'every beauty diva should be an eviro diva,’ try to practice your breathing outside in a clean environment when possible.

How to deep breath. Stand, lie or sit in a comfortable position and:

• Breathe in for a count of 4
• Hold your breath for a count of 16 (allowing oxygenated blood to flood your system
• Breathe out slowly, taking 8 counts to push out every last bit of air in your lungs (it will take carbon dioxide and cellular wastes with it)
• Hold your breath for a count of 4, then repeat.

You may find this challenging the first few times you try, but persevere and it will quickly increase the elasticity of your lungs, making it a breeze. Perform this breath 30 times a day, and whenever feeling stressed, and it will not only be good for your inside physical and emotional health but it will change how your skin looks.