Dear Stress, Let's Break Up

Raise your hand if you're in a relationship with stress. 🙋🏻

Good, now put your hands down. It's time to have a serious talk.

Let's start with the definition of stress: "a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances."

If you're anything like me, that "state of mental or emotional strain" from "very demanding circumstances" is basically an every day occurrence. Between work, relationships, a social life, adulting, money, and health, the stressors are just about everywhere! 

From May to August this year, I can't remember a moment when I wasn't stressed. My boyfriend accepted a job in Florida at the end of April, which meant packing up our lives in Cincinnati and starting new in a place we'd never been before. This wouldn't have been so stressful accept for the fact that he started his job in May, so I was left to figure everything out on my own (or at least that's how it felt). 

The questions were on constant replay in my head: What am I going to do about my job? Can we get out of our lease early? How am I going to get to Florida? What if we can't afford the rent? How am I going to make friends? When will I see my family? Do I even want to live there? 

The uncertainty in itself was by far the most stressful part of it all! 

Even if you can't relate to my specific story, I'm sure you can relate to that feeling of uneasiness when faced with change. Our brains don't like uncertainty. Our brains want all of the answers now. And when we can't get those answers, it just keeps asking anyway, which is where most of that stress stems from. 

One of the more difficult parts about controlling it is breaking away from the loop of questions, the downward spiral of thoughts, and the inner commentary. We all know, if we could just take a step back, we could probably find a pretty darn good solution and we'd realize everything is okay. 

But that exact moment, during the thick of the mental battle, is where Young Living's Stress Away Essential Oil blend comes into play. 

Not long after rolling a couple drops onto my temples, I can feel my breath starting to slow. My fighting thoughts quiet down. I'm able to see in front of myself again. It's not immediately all gone, but I gradually take that step back into reality where I can get a handle on things. 

And like I said, once I'm in control, the clarity, the resolutions, and the sanity all start to reappear.

Now if only I could just remember to start using it before those feelings surface... :)

But seriously, without the right tools, stress can induce many harmful and negative effects, you know, like binge eating all the candy in your coworker's desk drawer. The cool thing is, when managed correctly, stress and uncertainty have the exact opposite effect. They can actually be a fantastic workout and growth exercise for your brain! Like those times when you demolish your dreaded to-do list at work, or decide to let go of your anger and apologize after a heated argument. Even down to the simplest things, like just letting the car get in front of you instead of flipping them off, or liking your friend's post even though you're jealous you didn't get invited out, too. We come out of these situations feeling better, stronger, smarter, and ultimately happier because we didn't let the stress eat us up. 

This is why I refuse to go anywhere without my handy dandy bottle of Stress Away. Why would I? If there's a tool available that will help push me in the right direction to live my best life, I can guarantee you I'm taking advantage.

When will you? 

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Young Living Member #12592571