When we hear the word addiction, we tend to think of illegal drugs. What about legal addictions? Those are worse, because being legal, they are accepted. If you think about it, they're worse, much worse.
The worst addiction of all, on a physical level, is the addiction to sugar. As I say on page 152 of my book, Everything Bad is Good (soon to be published in English), sugar is more addictive than cocaine or heroin. Those who think that there is nothing wrong with eating on a daily basis a dessert, a cookie, it is time to understand that this dessert, that daily cookie can lead you to develop obesity, cancer, inflammation, Alzheimer, hormonal imbalance, high blood pressure, heart attack, arthritis and more. That's how complicated this scenario can be. Artificial sweeteners are worse, because they affect your hormonal system, which you should keep as balance as possible.
And what do you think of pain pill addictions, prescribed by your doctor, opioids? Do you know that more than 115 people die every day in the U.S. for misuse of these pills? And since they are legal, instead of guiding people to treat themselves naturally, the law recently passed is to set up treatment clinics, that is, to look for a drug to treat your drug addiction. Ironic? A lot! It doesn't make any sense. It's like pulling a nail with another nail, a rusty nail. In my opinion, what is needed is to advise people on how to be healthier so they do not have to rely on opioids. In addition, it is necessary to teach medical doctors how to avoid prescribing medications that are highly addictive and focus on finding the root cause of the problem.
On the other hand, there are addictions to alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine. Cigarettes and alcohol are addictions that we all know for the longest time are not good for anyone. Caffeine is the only one that so far is debatable, because for some conditions, it is favorable.
What do you think about the emotional addiction that social media have created? It surprises me, to the point that many are forgetting how to have a conversation and share in person. In all corners of the movie theater one can continuously see it lighting up. I wonder what is so important that you have to answer immediately. At a restaurant I see everyone alike, children, teenagers and adults continually ignoring each other while looking at the lastest published. Why go out with someone to a restaurant to establish a conversation with other people who are somewhere else? Why bring the kids if you are not going to include them and listen to them? When you reach for your cell phone, to see your social media, you're clearly telling everyone that they're not important in your life. Putting the cell phone on the table, even if it is upside down, does not help much, the message remains the same, my social media people are more important than you.
Finally, there are toxic relationships addictions. For some reason, you know these are not good for you, but still you keep having them (or attracting them), with the same type of boyfriend/ girlfriend, friends or boss.
What can you do to break the addiction? As for sugar, you first have to make the decision. Do you want to get better? Do you want to feel better, sleep well, lower inflammation, lose weight, avoid brain fog, and complications such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity? It's your decision, only yours.
- Stop eating processed foods because they contain a lot of hidden sugar
- Use 100% pure mint essential oil, to lower sugar cravings
- Meditate, to feel calm and lower the stress
- Eat roots 2 to 3 times a week
- Write in a journal how you feel now that you eat healthy
- Drink water and forget sodas and juices
- Seek support from a friend, to help you stay strong
As for opioids, use 100% pure lavender essential oil to lower inflammation pains and frankincense to strengthen the immune system. Take a good multivitamin, antioxidants and probiotic. Many times the lack of nutrients, together with a compromised or affected microbiome, results in health conditions, such as those that lead people to reach for an opioid, from physical conditions such as arthritis to emotional ones like depression. How do you know what brand to take? Read the studies do the research. I use a brand that has several patents to guarantee 100% body absorption. In my case and that of my clients, I see the difference, pains that disappear, skin that rejuvenates, blood pressure that normalizes, sugar levels that stabilize.
Spend time with your loved ones. If you go out to dinner, put the phone away. Learn and develop the art of talking, listening, laughing, genuinely with the one you are with. Wait for the movie to end to answer or comment in your social media. Do you like being ignored? Well, don't ignore others.
About toxic relationships, there are many tools you can use, for it requires effort and dedication. In addition to my book, I recommend the book, Emotional Blackmail by Susan Forward, which will help you recognize behavioral patterns in people around you to understand which are normal and which are not acceptable.
Let's be addiction free and happy.