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Change Your Mood, Change Your Food!
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‘Both stress and boredom make me eat. Only problem is … If
I’m not stressed then I’m bored … so I can’t win.’
We all need a pick me up from time to time, so instead of
reaching for that stash of ‘goodies’ which will sabotage your
weight loss, why not invest in a bottle
of TLC. To those of you partial to a drink, that is not the
bottle of Chardonnay sitting in your fridge. It is those little
dark bottles containing extracted plant oils, known as
aromatherapy.
For some people the dilemma of being overweight starts in the
mind: once the mind is healthy, the slimmer body will follow. Mentally,
aromatherapy can help to combat stress and lift your mood.
Physically it can alleviate aches, pains, burns and even
cellulite for the ladies (there is a god!)
After the use of aromatherapy we aren’t going to wake up the
next morning looking as slender as Kate Moss, but it can help
suppress those deadly cravings that make weight loss seem
impossible.
The connection between smell and emotion are extremely close.
Breathing in pleasant smells triggers positive reactions in the
brain, resulting in a sense of wellbeing. Once we are happy we
no longer feel the urge to fill that void. If it’s boredom or
stress that gets you reaching for the biscuits, experiment with
some of the essential oils suggested below to see which are best at
changing your mood.
Alexa Parson, a qualified aromatherapist who knows the importance
of choosing the right oils, says: ‘We are all unique. If one oil
works well for one person it doesn’t necessarily mean it will
then work for the next person. The way the oils are used could
also make a difference, one person might benefit more by using
the oils in the bath (don’t forget the carrier oil, so you don’t
scold your skin), rather than inhalation, massage or burning the
oils.’
Oils that change your mood:
- Cravings
To stop yourself from over eating sweet foods try vanilla, the sweet smell will help
you to stop that sweet tooth.
- Stress
To help beat the stress away try jasmine, frankincense, ylang
ylang, grapefruit, lavender, sandalwood, geranium, rose,
bergamot, benzoin, vetiver, mandarin or roman chamomile.
- Emotional baggage
Many of us have some baggage trailing behind somewhere, to
help put the past back where it belongs juniper berry is meant
to work wonders.
- Uplift the spirits
Jasmine is the oil to help bring out your sunnier side.
- Confidence
To send your confidence soaring through the roof try a helping
hand from bay laurel, bergamot, cypress, grapefruit, jasmine,
rosemary or orange.
- Depression
To lift depression, try these oils to change your mood; may chang, frankincense, lemon, grapefruit, jasmine, clary sage,
sandalwood, ylang ylang, geranium, orange, neroli (orange
blossom) and helichrysum.
- Insecurity
These oils will help produce inner security and
self-acceptance; frankincense, jasmine, sandalwood, vetiver,
cedarwood and bergamot.
- Loneliness
Many of us feel alone at times, these oils will help take that
negative feeling away; rose, clary sage, frankincense and
helichrysum.
- Happiness
To help yourself become a happy, vibrant, full of life person,
grapefruit, lemon, orange, rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang
may well do the trick.
How to use essential oils:
- Steam inhalation
Inhalations are extremely effective, as our smell receptors
are very near to mood centres in the brain. Add essential
oils to the bath, oil burner or to a bowl of hot water:
- Bath
Add 6-10 drops of the desired oil(s). Add 1 tbsp milk -
which acts as a carrier so you won't burn your skin. Mix the
milk and oil around the bath so your whole body will soak up
the benefit.
- Oil Burner
Add 3-6 drops of essential oil and 2tbsp warm water to the oil
burner bowl. Light the candle and get ready to fill your room
with the aroma.
- Massage
This is a very relaxing method and is
beneficial both physically and emotionally. Make sure a
carrier oil (such as almond or grapeseed) is used, as the
essential oil on its own will burn the skin. Use 5ml of
carrier oil and 2-3 drops (total) of essential oil.
- Pillow
Add 3 drops of essential oil to your pillow or bedclothes
to inhale whilst sleeping.
- Handkerchief
Add 3 drops of oil(s) to a handkerchief to breathe in when you
need a pick me up. Perfect for when out shopping or as an
everyday use in the office.
So ladies and gents give it a go, with a calorie balanced
weight loss diet and regular exercise you are well on the way to a less
stressed and healthier lifestyle.
Bonus Tip
Try the tools in Weight Loss Resources Free for 24 hours.
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