Obesity and Aromatherapy

As we all have heard from the daily news, obesity is rampant in our American society. Part of the reason for this is the sugar, white flour, starch and highly processed food that is a large part of many peoples diets. The combination of this type of nutrient deficient diet along with the sedentary lifestyle that many people lead has caused an obesity epidemic greater than ever before in this country. The problem of growing heavier and larger is compounded by the fact that this society is obsessed with having a slim figure and the cultural norms for beauty, which can lead to more emotional problems and heartaches.

Many diseases that are very dangerous are brought on by obesity. Some of these are diabetes, respiratory problems, high blood pressure, heart disease and circulatory problemsbut there are more. People are less likely to remain active when they get overweight and consequences can be serious when they dont get enough exercise which helps to keep newly oxygenated blood pumping through the bodys system.

People overeat for a number of different reasons. There is a possibility that emotional needs and not just physical problems could be at the heart of the issue. That is why it is extremely helpful for people who are obese to work on their inner selves. This will take some time but if they can begin to realize the causes of their overeating and start dealing with those issues they can begin a healing process. It is very beneficial to find out if there are emotional triggers like anger, depression, low self-esteem or sadness which are resulting in the desire to eat more than they need.

Boredom is another reason that some people might overeat. If there is not anything interesting going on they may turn to food. Other people may desire to comfort themselves from having experienced something traumatic or from loneliness. Often they learn to do this when they are young. Whatever the reason may be, it is very necessary to the success of any weight loss plan to discover the unique triggers that drive a person to their food addiction.

Another vital part of creating an individual plans for better health is to understand what people are putting into their bodies that is unhealthy. After determining which foods and snacks are not good, another part of reaching for the goal of good health is to replace poor foods with healthier ones. This will entail replacing many empty calories that are in refined foods such as white flour and sugar with more nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. It is better to eat organic fruits and vegetables in their raw state as often as is possible.

Exercising is another critical part of a plan to change obese peoples health. However, this important change must be made gradually. A person who has not been exercising will more than likely not be able to begin with a strenuous workout. One who has been very sedentary should start by focusing on establishing a routine and not worry about their performance.

The recommended exercises such as daily walks, swimming or yoga should be gentle in nature in the beginning. The goal is to make a lifestyle change of commitment and practice. Once the habit has been formed of doing something daily, then the level of exercise can move up to cardiovascular workouts and strength training. A good rule of thumb is to begin by moving for at least 20 minutes a day and then move up from there.

A powerful tool to use to help people to decrease their appetite is aromatherapy. It can be of great benefit in helping to overcome a food addiction and establishing a new way of thinking. Comfort food eaters have found it to be very effective when facing cravings. When a person recognizes that they dont really need to eat but are just bored or depressed, aromatherapy can help to satisfy those cravings. A person should also try drinking more water to help them maintain their body system. Many times, if a person thinks they need to eat, it may just be their brain telling them they need water.

A recipe for an effective appetite suppressant is to blend together 1 drop of Clary Sage, 1 drop of Sandalwood and 1 drop of Ylang Ylang essential oils. You may make it into a massage oil by adding it to a carrier oil and apply it to pressure points on the body. It can also be used in an aromatic bath, in aromatherapy candles, or as an inhalant for immediate relief of cravings.

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What is aromatherapy?

The use of essential oils (extracts or essences) from flowers, herbs, and trees to promote health and well-being.
A system of caring for the body with botanical oils such as rose, lemon, lavender (used to soothe cuts, bruises and insect bites), and peppermint. These essential oils can be added to a bath, massaged through the skin, inhaled directly, used with teas, or scented in a room. This therapy is intended to relieve pain, care for the skin, and alleviate tension and fatigue.
The use of fragrant, natural, botanical essential oils from plants, leaves, bark, roots, seeds, resins and flowers as a healing art. Aromatherapy refreshes and relaxes the skin while soothing the mind by helping to induce a sense of well-being. Each individual essence is used to produce a specific beneficial effect. Used in massage and facials.
The use of essential oils from aromatic plants to restore and enhance health and beauty as defined by the American Aromatherapy Association. Aromatherapy uses as its basic ingredients essential oils, which represent the highest herbal energy. Essential oils are highly concentrated, volatile extracts retrieved from aromatic herbs, flowers, seeds and trees; they contain hormone-like properties, vitamins, minerals and natural antiseptics.