How To Use Aromatherapy To Manage Your Cravings And Reduce Stress
So you want to kick your cravings, but it’s hard when they are so intense?? Most people try to kick cravings cold turkey. Sometimes that works, but very rarely. When cravings are strong, you can’t always willpower your way out of them. So what ends up happening is we deprive ourselves of eating those foods and then when we can’t take it any more, we binge. What if I told you there was a way to add something in without taking away all the foods you loved. Would you be intrigued? Now I’m not saying to eat sweets and all the yummy foods that you’re craving all the time, but you can still curb your cravings without giving them up completely. How? . . . Essential Oils!!
My family is a Young Living household so all the information I’ll be sharing will be about Young Living essential oils. However, feel free to do your own research if you’d like to look into other companies. We love Young Living because it puts our minds at ease with regard to testing. They go above and beyond what is required by the FDA to test their products and they are committed to sustainability efforts. Plus, they own their own farms and very closely monitor their partner farms to ensure the quality of their products for their customers. So, just be careful in choosing your essential oils as many can be filled with chemicals, be diluted versions of what you’re looking for, or even be completely synthetically made. There is a lot of info out there on Google if you’d like to do more research.
Ok, let’s dig in and figure out which oils are the best ones to use to help you curb your cravings so you can reach your health goals!
Cravings Busters:
Ok, so you’ve been trying your best to stick to your meal plan, but those cravings are still keeping you from reaching your goals, because even though you’re not hungry, you’re still grabbing for all the foods that sabotage the progress you’ve made and your ability to lose weight. It’s not your fault. These habits you created to help serve you once upon a time run deep, but I’m going to share some simple and natural options that will help you to crush your cravings and manage your appetite. Ever have the experience of walking through a kitchen and smelling the delicious and savory meal cooking over the hot stove. The aroma fills the air and you begin to salivate. Then all of a sudden that ravenous hunger sets in. If you’ve ever had an experience like that whether it’s with food or sweets (cookies, cakes, etc.) then you know first hand how powerful scent can be. We process smells in the same part of the brain that we process memory and emotion. It’s no wonder that odors can bring us back to memories from childhood or a special person we love. When we store that scent of grandma’s cookies in our brain, we think of love, perhaps a loved one who’s now gone, and it brings us a little sense of happiness to hold on to one of the good memories. This is where essential oils come in. They helps us to support our bodies holistically as they affect our physical, emotional and spiritual body.
Ready to check out the best essential oils for busting your cravings?
Citrus Essential Oils
If you think back to when you are more likely to give into your cravings, what do you notice? For me it was often because I was stressed, and I wanted to treat myself and get a little comfort out of it as well. This makes citrus oils a perfect way to support you in crushing your cravings. Citrus oils are well known for supporting the body in curbing cravings and appetite. Oils like grapefruit, lemon, orange, and bergamot contain high amounts of d-limonene which is a potent antioxidant that also contains anti-inflammatory properties. You can add the vitality versions of these oils to your water for a flavor infusion or add them to your favorite drink (i.e. NingXia Red or Lemonade). The other benefit to citrus oils is that they are natural mood boosters and can even help you feel energized. Thought it’s not an oil, lemon juice is also helpful in shutting down cravings.Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
Cinnamon Bark essential oils is another fabulous oil to help curb your sweet tooth. Its sweetness will help you feel like you’re treating yourself allowing you to satisfy your craving without actually boosting your blood sugar levels. In fact, cinnamon is well known for supporting healthy blood sugar levels. And with it’s warming quality you get that cozy comfort feeling as well.Peppermint + DiGize Essential Oils
DiGize is an essential oil blend of fennel, tarragon, juniper, anise, and oils that support digestion. Peppermint is another well known support for the digestive system both in stimulating and curbing appetite. Essential oils are intuitive and are often known as adaptogens which means they give the body what they need in the way they need it. If you think about it, you might even call them nature’s little miracles. These oils can also be considered energizing blends that are best diluted in oil. Remember a little goes a long way.Geranium, Lavender Essential Oils, Peace & Calming, Stress Away + Valor
These essential oils are known for their help with calming the mind. They are great for promoting balance and homeostasis as well as helping to aid in getting a good night’s sleep.
*DISCLAIMER: All information about essential oils applies to Young Living essential oils and no other company. Please check speak with your doctor to determine whether essential oils will affect any of your medications as they are potent natural compounds. Essential oils are not intended to cure or treat any ailments, however, they are useful in supporting the body in performing its natural functions. Please follow all instructions on the label.
Crushing your cravings can be hard, but you have the opportunity to use the natural supports that aromatherapy can provide. I’d love to invite you to a free STRATEGY CALL to discuss what’s stopping you or holding you back from reaching your goals. It’s your time to shine and aromatherapy can help you get there. If you already know that you’d like to try these oils, you can check them out HERE.
I can’t wait to hear all about your journey into using essential oils to help you crush your cravings. Please share your comments below.
Cheers to your wellness!
Becky