Aromatherapy That Inspires Exercise

Working out is literally a pain for some people. However having an exercise regimen is an essential part of any weight loss plan.  You can use essential oil therapy to help you stay motivated and feel positive about working out every day.

Here is a short list of oils that can help stimulate you, wake you up and motivate you to get off the couch and on the bicycle, to the swimming pool or to the gym so you can adhere to your exercise regimen.

Orange 
Orange oil has a campherous quality that keeps you alert, energetic and sharp. The smell is Traditionally this oil is known as the oil of joy! Orange essential oil  is calming and energizing at the same time. Orange oil, whether it be bitter orange, blood orange, sweet oil, mandarin or tangerine makes you feel refreshed, alive and a bit more perky. It instills a positive attitude and uplifts the spirit. It is a natural agent of elation.

Lemon
Lemon is bracing and enhances focus, stamina and performance. It helps you exercise for  longer than you thought was possible.  Lemon oil also has the psychological effect of making it feel like "it's a brand new day."  For a brisker scent of lemons, try oil made from Meyer lemons.

Grapefruit
Like most of the citrus oils grapefruit improves mood and sharpens the senses. It makes you feel refreshed, awake and can prevent fatigue while working out. At the same time grapefruit also has a directly relaxing effect on you that relieves hypertension, irritability and the reluctance that sometimes comes when it is time to work out.

Lemongrass
Lemongrass essential oil improves focus and concentration so you are not prone to doing a sloppy or shorter work out.  It has a similar scent to lemon but a bit more herbaceous, grassy or floral. Lemongrass also uplifts the mood while at the same time instilling a sense of serenity and determination to get through your workout no matter what it takes.

Rosemary
Rosemary essential uplifiting, yet medicinal. It is a lovely oil for those who have lung problems to use.

Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil keeps you positive, alert and energetic. It has a nip to it that psychologically makes the brain “wake up” and usually the body follows. If you are nauseous or run out of breath while working out then peppermint can be of some use.
You can take a bath with diluted oils, apply the diluted oils to your skin or diffuse them through the air with a vaporizer.  Do this before you work out.  

One word of advice:  not every gym allows scent in their work-out spaces as some people are allergic or irrigated by strong aromas or perfume smells. If that is the case you just might have to be satisfied with smelling the aroma at home.

For more information or to book a consultation about  life style issues, anti-aging, diet and weight loss programs or any health issue you may be experiencing, visit the Pinewood Natural Health Clinic website that has a list of full services and products at www.pinewood.ca or call our Toronto Office at  (416)-656- 8100.  We also have an office in Pickering, Ontario at (905)-427-0057. You can also email us at info@pinewoodhealth.ca and we would be happy to answer any question that you have about our holistic health services