Homeopathy and New Year’s Resolutions – better energy and less food cravings
This is often the time of year when patients, both new and returning, come to me for support with New Year’s resolutions that include losing weight and stopping smoking or drinking (caffeine and alcohol), and also for a general boost to their energy and immune system.
When it comes to losing weight, homeopathy can support people in changing habits first through awareness as to diet and exercise, and then through addressing specific food cravings and aversions. Food cravings are often a sign of an imbalance in the system, and when the body is balanced the cravings often ease or stop altogether. I have had patients repeatedly tell me that during homeopathic treatment their cravings for sweets (especially chocolate before and during the menstrual cycle), tea, coffee and alcohol stop altogether!
Many people reach for stimulants such as coffee and sugar to lift their energy throughout the day, which can not only add excess weight but cause a bigger dip in energy levles after the stimulants wear off, leading to more consumption of coffee and sugar. It is a cycle that can feel out of control, and moods can swing and dip in the process as guilt and frustration set in. After homeopathic treatment, many patients report that their energy levels are more even and they find that they don’t reach for these foods as before.
Likewise, during treatment many patients notice that their sleep patterns improve with less restlessness and a deeper overall sleep during the night. They also report a reduction of night waking, claiming that they have more energy in the morning. The increase of energy can make exercise seem less daunting and reduce the need for stimulants to boost energy levels, which also facilitates weight loss.
Homeopathy can also help the ‘comfort eaters’ who reach for food (most often sweets or salty foods) as a response to particular emotions such as loneliness, sadness, and anger. These people (most of us at one point or another if we’re honest) find that food helps them cope with emotions that are difficult to express otherwise. Often through discussing their ‘relationship’ with food, we can find remedies that help address these emotions. We can also address more positive ways of processing the emotions, such as through exercise, sport, meditation or counselling.
One patient wrote, ‘I was referred to Jennifer Gordon and homeopathy from my GP for menopausal symptoms that included mood swings, lack sleep, hot flashes, and food cravings. I could not believe that within a matter of days I felt transformed and back to the old me. I now wake in the mornings feeling as if I have been on holiday. The hot flashes have decreased from 10-15 per day to 3-4 and the intensity has reduced by almost 80%. I also feel more balanced and calm. It has been 6 weeks since beginning treatment and I have lost 10 pounds because all my food cravings are gone! It’s a miracle.’
Actually, it’s one of the many benefits of homeopathy. Through the balancing of the system and strengthening of the immune response, many patients report that their energy is better, sleep patterns are deeper, and food cravings decreased or gone altogether.