If you have tried eating less and haven’t been able to alter your diet then you have a few options. First of all you need to speak to a nutritionist who can tell you what types of foods to eat to get rid of cravings. The worse part is that you will have the cravings for a few weeks once you start a new diet, because your body still wants to get back to the old foods. You could try to buy hoodia patches to control this and successfully change your diet to a healthier one.

Most diets usually fail because the person trying to change their life doesn’t manage to get over the initial boot camp phase that takes place in the first few weeks during the new lifestyle. Using an appetite suppressant like Hoodia, which contains P-57 can help with this, as many have found that they aren’t as hungry anymore and especially don’t have those sugar cravings like you usually get when you cut out all the sugar in your diet.

Hoodia itself isn’t some magical diet supplement, but instead it is meant to be used with a healthy diet and a good exercise plan. If you feel like you can’t control your appetite, try it out with a healthy diet and see what happens.

There are several herbal plants that can be used to treat smoking for good. Some of them might even be found right at your own backyard. These plants include lobelia, avena sativa, peppermint, St. John’s wort, mimosa plant, skullcap, and many more. Mimosa plant and skullcap are often used as home remedies to help someone quit smoking for good.

The herbal plant, Mimosa, is traditionally used to help improve one’s state of mind. When giving up smoking, a person can feel several, uneasy psychological symptoms that can affect the whole process of giving up. These symptoms are called quit smoking symptoms that includes feelings of anxiety, depression and uneasiness, which are often caused by the absence of nicotine in the body for a prolonged time. Drinking mimosa tea can relieve these psychological symptoms, and thus, facilitate easy progression of quitting. If you want to make your own mimosa tea, you can use the root bark of the plant to produce the best calming beverage. One cup of mimosa tea is enough to relieve the symptoms.

Another herbal plant is the skullcap, which like Mimosa, is known to relieve nervousness and anxiety associated to nicotine withdrawal. It even serves as a natural tranquilizer that can tone down a person’s nervous system. Using this plant is much better than commercially prepared tranquilizers since there are fewer side effects that might possibly occur. Some commercially prepared tranquilizers are abusive, which can also cause drug addiction. Thus, it is a better choice to use natural ways to stop smoking. You can make a calming tea from this plant by soaking 1 teaspoon of the dried plant in a cup of water for over 30 minutes. Filter the water, and drink the filtrate 3 to 4 times a day.

When taking herbal remedies, it is a major concern to consult your physician first before taking any medications to make sure of its possible side effects, precautions, or other certain contraindications for use. Make sure that you motivation to stop that bad habit for good.

Natural detoxing can help a person tremendously with various ailments. There are some signs to look for in those who might be in need of a detox diet. These signs vary and can range from indigestion, bad breath, fatigue, poor skin to hormonal imbalances, muscle pains and slow metabolism. Having too many toxins in your system is believed to lead to any of these ailments or even more serious illnesses. Once you have undergone a detox diet, you can expect greater energy, regular bowel movements, unblemished skin, and even a greater ability to concentrate.

A detox diet, such as Total Cleanse, is not for everyone. If a total body or colon cleansing product is purchased, you need to make sure what the regimen requires in the way of fasting and eating. Pregnant women or those with anemia, diabetes, kidney and thyroid diseases, cancer or other serious illnesses should consult a physician before making this kind of drastic change in diet and lifestyle. Some of the side effects are headaches, dehydration (and loss of electrolytes), diarrhea, irritability and fatigue, weight loss or hunger. Someone who is already battling a serious illness does not need the added stress of fighting the side effects of dieting.

Most physicians recommend detoxing at least two to three times a year. There are many products on the market and talking to a health provider may help in making a wise decision. Detoxing any more than this is not healthy and should be cleared with your primary physician. When the detox diet is over, it is best to resume a healthy diet full of whole and natural foods. It will probably look close to the diet that you used to cleanse, but without all the restrictions. The diet is usually a good way for those who have been accustomed to unhealthy living to turn their lives around and begin to eat healthy food.

Image via Wikipedia

As relaxing as a regular hot bath can be, imagine how much better it could be with the power to detoxify your body. By using a combination of oils, herbs and other natural ingredients, you can create a detox recipe for your bath that can flush out those toxins. Spend a half hour in your detox bath, and it can leave you rejuvenated, reinvigorated, and relaxed. You’re virtually guaranteed to come out feeling fresh and happy. These natural therapies can even deep cleanse the body in times of extreme need, such as drug detox.

A classic recipe: one cup of epsom salt combined with two cups of baking soda. These minerals do amazing work to help the body detox, and will leave you smooth and silky. Add a few drops of an your chosen oil if desired.

Another classic bath detox recipe is a milk bath. Add two cups of dry milk powder to a cup of corn starch, mix well, and add to the bath. Again, add your favorite essential oils as desired. Dried chamomile can also make a great addition to this luxurious bath.

Oatmeal baths are great too, and have special benefits for the skin. For an intense body scrub, this the one to try. You can either mix two cups of oatmeal in a blender until ground, or add three tablespoons of powdered oatmeal to the bath. Other ingredients that are work well with oatmeal include blanched almonds mixed in to the ground oatmeal, or mild baby soap, which can be grated into the mixture. Once added to the bath, use the mixture to scrub the face and body. A great detox recipe.

Another great one is the ginger bath. Just grate around a quarter of a cup of fresh ginger,  put in some kind of cheesecloth, muslin bag or the like, and use this like a tea bag in your bath. If you can find powdered ginger, you can simply throw a two tablespoons right in the bath instead. Breath in deep, enjoy the aroma, and relax!

The program is spiritual in nature and can be used by not only the person with the addiction problem, but their friends and family members as well. Alcoholics Anonymous officially began in 1935 in Akron, Ohio. The first group was started by a New York broker and a very well known surgeon who both suffered from alcoholism. The first 12 Step book was made available to the public in April of 1939. The member count for those attending A.A. meetings has since risen to over two million.

To begin the program is recommended that the person wishing to overcome their addiction become familiar by reading the First Step. By doing this they will get a better understanding of what the program is about. If possible it is helpful to find an A.A. meeting that is close by. Attending a meeting will introduce to the person to others that have used the program to overcome addictions. If it is impossible to go to a face-to-face meeting, there are online versions available.

After attending a few meetings it is advisable to find a sponsor. This is a person that helps you go through the twelve steps of the program. Finding a sponsor that you feel comfortable with is very important. Begin going through the steps of the program at number one and work your way through to number twelve. This may take some time. Your sponsor will help you decide the pace at which the steps can be finished.  Some sponsors take their time with the steps and go very in-depth, while others rush through as quickly as possible.  The 12 step program as a solution is open to interpretation, as many do things differently within it.

Because the program has helped so many others overcome their addiction problems and live a normal, healthy lifestyle, it is highly recommended by physicians, psychologists and many other health care providers. The program is free, thus making it available to everyone that wishes to use it.

1.  Love yourself.  No matter what your story is…you deserve love.  Negative thinking and self criticism are unhealthy habits that will attract more of the same things to be negative about.   When you love yourself and feel good, you will attract more things to feel good about.  That’s the universal law of attraction.

2.  Eat a wholesome diet.  Develop healthy eating habits for you and your family. 

3.  Vitamin D.  Vitamin D is a more important nutrient than was once thought.  It builds your immune system and protects you from many diseases and cancers.  Chances are you’re deficient since the minimum RDA is 2000mg stronger than before.    Build your immune system strong and healthy with adequate intake of vitamin D.

4.  Eat Iodine rich food.  There are many halogens present in our environment that deplete us of our iodine.  Fluoride and bromide found in water, food and toothpaste are the culprits.  Eat plenty of seafood and make sure your salt is iodized.  Have your iodine levels checked, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with cycts, thyroid problems or breast cancer.  Iodine is needed by your entire body to function properly.    Your body doesn’t produce it, so deficiences may cause a severe imbalance  in the functioning of the body. 

5. Bowel health.  Your immune system exsists in the colon and bowels.  When you are constipated, toxins sit  in your body making you ill.  You want a smooth transit time for food.  Eating plently of whole grains and foods should be most that is needed to get things moving.  Also, a good probiotic or kefir drink to build up the good bacteria needed in the colon.  Avoid over use of antibiotics unless absolutley needed.  Learn about natural antibiotics at www.thenaturalremedyguide.com.

6.  Family time.  Spend time with family or the people you love.  Love and a sense of community  keep people living longer, happier lives. 

7.  Spend time in nature.  Nature is very healing.  It de-stresses and washes away worries.  Sunshine is also the best source of vitamin D.  People who spend time outdoors  are less depressed and lead much healthier lives.

Image by Akuppa via Flickr

Addiction is described as a chronic neurologic disorder.   Addiction help  is usually found is Twelve  Step programs or rehabilitation centers.  There are many kinds of addictions.  Drugs, food, sex, gambling and interent addictions are just a few.  They all stem from the same fundamental source…a preexisting biochemical inability to tolerate the pain and discomfort of life.

Having worked through a few addictions myself, I know the white knuckle stuggle of wanting what I know is bad for me and knowing better.  I have been to 12 step programs, hypnosis and accupuncture and I know they all help with addictions.   But I have to share what has helped me and continues to help me the most….a kundalini meditation called the Kirtin Kriya.  This meditation, if practiced everyday, if the best help with addictions I have come across for myself.

Yoga operates on the principle that our inner reality creates our outer reality, so if we want to make changes in our lives, we have to change ourselves.   We must clear our subconscious programming so it doesn’t sabotage our conscious intention.  In yoga, mantras are used to clear and restructure the subconscious mind.  Kirtin Kriya is a meditation chant exercise that involves chanting and finger poses (mudras).  This easy exercise reduces stress levels, promotes focus and clarity,  balances the brain,  increases blood circulation in the brain, and enhances mind-body-spirit connection.  With regular practice, you will notice stronger intuition, a more solid presence in life,  a close connection to your Higher Power and a lighter and happier state of well-being.  In fact it is being studied as a prevention for alzheimers because it is so good for your brain.

Here is how to do the Kirtin Kriya:

* Sit in an upright, criss-cross position with your spine straight (easy pose).  You may lean against a pillow, chair or a wall.  Rest your hands on your knees palms facing up.

*  Chant the syllables:   Sa, Ta, Na, Ma

*  As you are chanting each syllable, you touch each finger to the tip of your thumb.

(Touch your index finger to the tip of your thumb as you chant Sa.   Touch your middle finger tip to the tip of your thumb as you chant Ta.  Touch your ring finger tip to the tip of  your thumb as you chant Na.  Touch your pinky tip to the tip of your thumb as you chant Ma.)

As you chant and do the mudras, follow this sequence:

• Chant out loud for 2 minutes
• Chant in a whisper for 2 minutes
• Chant in silence for  3 minutes
• Chant in a whisper for 2 minute
• Chant out loud for 2 minutes

Visualize or feel each sound come in through the top of your head (crown chakra) down throught the middle of the head and out through the third eye to infinity.  If any pictures or thoughts come into your mind as you are chanting this  release them through your third eye and continue.

When you are finished, inhale deeply and raise your arms over your head.  Shake out your arms and fingers as you exhale.

There are time variations to this meditations.  You can do it for 11 or 31  or 62 minutes.

31 minute version:   5 minutes outloud, 5 minutes in a whisper, 10 minutes silently, 5 minutes whisper,  5 minutes out loud.

This meditation has been a very powerful help for addiction for me.  I have transformed myself in as little as 11 minutes from wanting my “drug of choice” to being profoundly at peace with myself.  But, don’t just take my word for it, try it yourself and see if it will help you.

Resources:

Home of Yoga

Disclaimer: I hope this post helps, but I am not a doctor. You should consult a medical professional before acting on advice found on the Internet.