The Anna Nicole Smith phenomenon is a very sad story of someone who was caught up in addictions. Although I never watched her reality show, I was really rooting for her. She recently gave birth in her late thirties and, despite the loss of her adult son, I hoped the second chance at motherhood would be inspiring for her. Since her death the media frenzy has opened up a new issue: the life and death game of our own addictions.
Anna Nicole Smith is a clear example of the sneaky attitude we have about addictions. Perhaps in her case it was the addiction to exude that perfect look of glamour, achieve the perfect body weight or the addiction of alleviating pain as quickly as possible.
Considering that any action or product can become the focal point of an addiction, our desire to seek “short cuts” is the worst type. Society has also developed an addiction to artificial health practices in an attempt to achieve quick and effortless results.
One example is the addiction to artificial food. According to the American Obesity Association, 64 percent of adults over age 20 are overweight. We see how processed, pasteurized, preserved, enriched, fried and micro-waved foods have given us convenience yet stressed our bodies.
Also, artificial vitamins and minerals do not make us healthy. These chemical isolates do not nourish the body and can cause deficiencies, yet synthetic vitamins and enriched foods are commonplace. Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Albert Szent Gyorgyi, discovered this difference in the 1930s. Anna Nicole Smith's situation reminds us how easy it is to develop an over reliance on drugs. They, too, become an artificial approach, especially when most diseases are due to dietary choices and life-style habits.
In a few thousand years of civilization, we somehow believe we have outwitted nature. While refining fossil fuels is fine for our cars, chemicals are not as useful in the living body. As the population is realizing these short cuts are not conducive to healthy living, the health care profession has responded to this need.
Paul Zane Pilzer, in his book, “The New Wellness Revolution,” points out the latest trends in the wellness consulting arena. For those who want guidance on how to realistically detoxify their lives, chiropractors who focus on wellness behaviors teach their patients how to gradually replace old habits. Any addiction has its emotional component. So chiropractors utilize behavior modification when old beliefs about undesirable habits interfere with patient progress. Within the field of medicine, there are physician specialists who help people discontinue their maintenance medications. These physicians teach their patients how maintenance drugs address symptoms but not the underlying problems that are creating the symptoms. Pilzer noted how chiropractors and physicians are teaming up with drug-free programs for their patients who are interested in avoiding the addictions of artificial living.
The most important message I wish to convey is that we are born with minds and bodies that are designed to flourish when we provide what is naturally needed. It is crucial to nurture this inner confidence throughout life. If it is lost, addictions become the perceived way to make up for this lack of confidence.
Lisa Ann Homic, M.Ed. D.C., may be contacted at www.DrHomic.com
Considering that any action or product can become the focal point of an addiction, our desire to seek “short cuts” is the worst type. Society has also developed an addiction to artificial health practices in an attempt to achieve quick and effortless results.
One example is the addiction to artificial food. According to the American Obesity Association, 64 percent of adults over age 20 are overweight. We see how processed, pasteurized, preserved, enriched, fried and micro-waved foods have given us convenience yet stressed our bodies.
Also, artificial vitamins and minerals do not make us healthy. These chemical isolates do not nourish the body and can cause deficiencies, yet synthetic vitamins and enriched foods are commonplace. Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Albert Szent Gyorgyi, discovered this difference in the 1930s. Anna Nicole Smith's situation reminds us how easy it is to develop an over reliance on drugs. They, too, become an artificial approach, especially when most diseases are due to dietary choices and life-style habits.
In a few thousand years of civilization, we somehow believe we have outwitted nature. While refining fossil fuels is fine for our cars, chemicals are not as useful in the living body. As the population is realizing these short cuts are not conducive to healthy living, the health care profession has responded to this need.
Paul Zane Pilzer, in his book, “The New Wellness Revolution,” points out the latest trends in the wellness consulting arena. For those who want guidance on how to realistically detoxify their lives, chiropractors who focus on wellness behaviors teach their patients how to gradually replace old habits. Any addiction has its emotional component. So chiropractors utilize behavior modification when old beliefs about undesirable habits interfere with patient progress. Within the field of medicine, there are physician specialists who help people discontinue their maintenance medications. These physicians teach their patients how maintenance drugs address symptoms but not the underlying problems that are creating the symptoms. Pilzer noted how chiropractors and physicians are teaming up with drug-free programs for their patients who are interested in avoiding the addictions of artificial living.
The most important message I wish to convey is that we are born with minds and bodies that are designed to flourish when we provide what is naturally needed. It is crucial to nurture this inner confidence throughout life. If it is lost, addictions become the perceived way to make up for this lack of confidence.
Lisa Ann Homic, M.Ed. D.C., may be contacted at www.DrHomic.com
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