I bet you are thinking I am going to tell you that essential oils are better than antidepressants for depression. And while they actually are, that’s not what I am going to tell you right now. Can you guess what it is? Yes, exercise! I will be the first to tell you I don’t like exercising. Never did! But that changed when I started rebounding. Yeah!
Did you know that exercise not only causes you to feel mentally and physically better, but also helps keep your brain from shrinking? So while your body can become slim, your brain will become plump (so to speak), according to some current studies. Why is that?
If your brain shrinks, memory loss, cognitive decline and dementia starts occuring. This can be brought on as side effects of antidepressant drugs according to some research studies. Not good!
On the other hand, exercise increases blood flow to the brain, releasing endorphins which is the body’s own natural antidepressant. It also releases other neurotransmitters like serotonin that lifts the mood. It helps to normalize insulin levels which is very important to feel good. Plus, because of the increased blood flow, the brain gets more oxygen and nutrients. All this is important to keep the brain from shrinking and to prevent depression.
Ok, but what if I still don’t want to exercise?
I’m sure this is not a news flash, but few people on this earth were born with an innate love of exercise. And if you are depressed or just plain don’t feel good, it’s hard to get motivated to move. Now this is where the essential oils come in. One blend I started using recently is Motivation. I apply it first thing in the morning behind my ears like perfume and inhale it.
Caution: If you use this natural essential oil blend you may start wanting to do things you haven’t done for years! 
However, unless you find an enjoyable form of exercise you may find yourself quitting before you can see the benefits. You don’t have to jog, run or do the treadmill if that’s not what you like. Walking, rebounding (my favorite), biking, swimming and dancing are some other options. If you have not exercised for years, go slow and maybe just start with some stretching to limber up the muscles.
If you find your muscles to be sore, the Ortho Sport Massage Oil can help. It provides soothing relief for tired, over-worked muscles after exercise and sports. This blend combines pure vegetable oils with therapeutic grade essential oils such as wintergreen, peppermint, thyme and oregano. Thoroughly massage into areas of the body feeling stress following exercise.
While taking prescription drugs may seem like an easier answer to depression, if you persist with a good exercise routine, you will be strengthening your body and mind, feel better and create some self esteem with a sense of accomplishment along the way.
To your well being,
Carol
Carol is an essential oil educator and a certified reflexologist. As an Independent Distributor of Young Living Essential Oils, she teaches the importance of using genuine, authentic essential oils for health and healing. She has been an advocate of natural health and wellness for the past 35 years. Among the things she has studied includes, the use essential oils, iridology, muscle testing, nutrition, tapping and other forms of energy medicine.
As always my thoughts are for general educational purposes only.
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