Supernatural Botanicals

Sinus headaches burtal during allergy season?  Try this old-school remedy that works every time.  Put a coffee mug of water in the microwave until boiling.  (Careful….it’s really hot).   Then, inhale the steam in long, steady breaths through the nose.  This will clear breathing passages and release sinus pressure.  You can add a few drops of peppermint oil for an extra therapeutic kick.  Super-effective on sinus headaches and facial pressure.  Try it!

Your body benefits greatly just by the simple act of deep breathing.  A slow, controlled breath will not only soothe the central nervous system to make  you more relaxed, but also helps your body in these ways:

• Lowers blood pressure
• Relaxes muscles
• Helps weight loss
• Increases energy
• Calms the mind
• Aids sleep
• Fights wrinkles
• Slows heart rate
• Aids in digestion
• Boosts the lymphatic system (which carries toxins away from the cells)

If you feel overwhelmed and stressed on a regular basis, there’s no need to go running for the Prozac.  Your body has a built in mechanism that de-stresses you without pharmaceuticals.  Did you know that deep breathing (at least five seconds in, and five seconds out) can slow your central nervous system and help wash calm over your body and mind?  Simply breathing in and out slowly, with intent, for several minutes does wonders to calm the central nervous system.  Skip the drugs and utilize what your body already has…maybe you just haven’t tapped into yet?

This is one of my favorite yoga stretches, albeit, one of the hardest stretches.  It’s an amazing hip opener.  If you are a woman, you should be able to bend down further than the man in this video.  We are just programed to be more flexible than men, so go down as far as you can…and breathe into it.  Just when you feel like you can’t take it another second, take a deep breath and breathe again.  Try to stay in the pose for a full 30 seconds.  The more you breathe, the more you’ll feel your hips relax. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i0d78nx2DY

My friend Michelle, aka Buffmother, taught me a trick I use on a daily basis.  She loads up her To-Do list with things like Drink 10 oz of water or Stretch for one full minute.   She calls it her five minute mojo checklist.  My favorite way to find my “mojo” is to take five deep breaths, …very…..long…..slow…..breaths.  Controlling your breath centers you, and calms your central nervous system.  Breathing in five (minimum) deep breaths helps you to focus, and is excellent in calming anxiety.  Great stress reliever.   

As we continue to fight the good fight in saving our skin from aging, try these tips in your fight.

1.  Keep up the good workout:  The get-happy vibe from your lunch-time Spinning class can also help lower levels of cortisol, a hormone that peaks during times of chronic stress, causing a surge in free radicals and inflammation all over your body, including your face.  Regular exercise helps keep stress and cortisol levels in check. 

2.  Sleep more:  While you snooze, your body has a chance to repair cells and reset hormone levels, including your cortisol.  8 hours a night…..make it happen.   

3.  Take a supplement:  As part of your diet, omega 3 fatty acids help water, oxygen, and vitamins penetrate skin cells.  Besides, how easy is this to accomplish?  Painless!

4.  Wear caffeine, don’t gulp it:  A little java can make you feel more alert, but sipping it all day long keeps cortisol circulating in your blood.  The constant stimulation puts your body in a stressed, heart-pumping state.  Use caffeine in face or eye creams to constrict blood vessels, leaving skin tighter and fresher. 

5.  Try a massage or yoga:  Any activity that makes you breathe deeper and easier is a good stress alleviator. 

6.  Wear SPF 30 daily:  Read labels and choose a sunblock formula with titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or a combination of both.  Sun worshipers beware, your skin looks 50 when you are 30.  Keep the sun off your skin, especially your face.

7.  Load up on antioxidants:  Think of free radicals as little arsonists running through your body, starting fires that damage healthy cells beyond repair.  Antioxidants are the firefighters that put out the flames before they can potentially get out of control and cause serious diseases such as cancer as well as premature skin aging.

8.  Don’t over exfoliate:  Inflammation makes skin sensitive and less able to tolerate harsh chemicals.  If using a heavy-duty exfoliator, restrict it’s use to once or twice a week. 

9.  Treat breakouts right:  Stress can increase acne, studies show.  That’s because excess cortisol inflames and clogs your pores, causing bacteria to pool and pimples to erupt.  Use Benzoyl peroxide to keep breakouts at bay.

10.  Shop smarter:  Make better choices when buying facial soaps or cleansers.  Avoid products heavily laden with oils and perfumes.  You know what my friends and I won’t go without, right?  

    I wouldn’t dream of washing my face with anything else.  Why would I?  I’ve had so much success with these face and body spa bars.  Gorgeous, glowing skin and no breakouts…what’s not to love?