Blog

By now, Q2 is in full swing, and MTO KPIs can be challenging to maintain despite intentionality. It is not uncommon to say, “I’ll get to it later,” then three weeks later, one wonders where the time has gone without recalibrating or reestablishing MTO KPIs. One thing is guaranteed, and that stress remains while pushing through, getting it done, or handling it. In this blog post, I will discuss cortisol, the stress hormone, and the effects of constant stress on the body and offer aromatic solutions. What is Cortisol? Cortisol and adrenaline are stress hormones produced in the adrenal glands. Both hormones help with severe stress, such as swerving to avoid striking an animal or suddenly slamming on your brakes in traffic to avoid an accident. The release of the stress hormone cortisol and its companion adrenaline activates fight-or-flight, heightening instinct, and survival. The release of cortisol should be temporary, and not lingering for days. Anger, chronic fear, or resentment extend the duration of the cortisol for longer periods, which can affect immunity, cause weight gain, digestive issues, affecting the sleep, or possibly unknowingly invite in poor health. The Adrenal Glands The adrenal glands are located above the kidneys. The adrenals work hard to produce cortisol and can become exhausted trying to keep up. As a result, someone can experience adrenal fatigue or exhaustion. Recalibrate Find your joy. One of many solutions is essential oils that bring joy, uplift, ground, and calm nerves, to reduce stress. They are commonly referred to as adaptogen essential oils. I’ve found that being aware of my most stressful times of the day and using essential oils helps me redirect and offer a brain break to control negative thoughts or reactions. Essential Oils Recommendations to Reduce Cortisol Vetiver, Vetiveria zizanoides , has a deep and earthy scent. It comes from the root of a weeping grass. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and nervine properties that promote relief of chronic stress, grounding, and immunity and is a circulatory stimulant. May Chang, Litsea cubeba , is a fruit with a lemony scent and herbaceous undertones. The essential oil has antispasmodic, anti-depressive, and diuretic properties that improve mental fatigue and brain fog, uplift, and help manage stress. Ylang Ylang, Cananga odorata , is a powdery and sweet floral. The essential oil comes from a tropical tree. It has aphrodisiac (self-love), anti-inflammatory, and cardiotonic properties that regulate a stirred-up nervous system. Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus radiata , a camphoraceous evergreen tree with a sweet scent, has many species. The essential oil has antispasmodic, febrifuge, and stimulant properties that help strengthen the immune system. MTO Featured Product MTO Body Butter is a nourishing moisturizer formulated with adaptogen essential oils. It’s not oily and has a smooth, absorbing texture that can be used on the skin, especially the area of the adrenal glands. Learn more about MTO Body Butter.

KPIs are in full effect, and with that, we still must manage our stress, our expectations for ourselves, and the expectations of others. It sounds logical and straightforward, really, but is it? In this post, I will offer on-the-go aromatics and affirmation prompts for you to consider throughout your day.

Autopilot, say what?

The Journey

Sorry You Are On Mute

The truth is stress is inevitable, but if one isn’t managing their stress, it will affect how one shows up daily and eventually an individual’s physical body. I don’t mean show-up as in I’ve arrived because I am obligated to, or I need this paycheck, so here I am. I mean, show up authentically despite frustration, irritation, or ambivalence. When I am afflicted with more than the normal stressors, my mind constantly analyzes the situation, but I immediately turn to three (3) solutions to help manage stress: 1. It is okay to feel emotions. Be engaged in what is happening at the moment, whether pleasant or not. Disengaging does not alleviate the burden but instead gives it legs to hold space in the mind. Holding space to contemplate could have, would have, or should have. Those contemplations are meaningless but may result in prompting a reaction—a harsh response that is not so pleasant for you or the person on the receiving end. 2. Take a breath. Engage your mind with breathing as your focal point. Take an opportunity to send the breath to the areas of your body that are heightened to begin to deactivate fight or flight yet stimulate the body to find your calm amid chaos. 3. Refuel your body and brain. Consider what you really need. Is it a healthier food option or a play food option? A sip of water, then a one-minute visualization meditation. Refueling may involve all these options, but taking the time to do it is essential. It is vital to allow the opportunity to control your response or your reaction. It removes the daggers from your tongue to replace it with kindness. A kindness extended to yourself, as well as others. This chain reaction is empathy, which we all deserve. I remember using a stressful situation to unleash my irritation about many things, plus the current situation. Most often, the snarky mood was directed toward someone close to me simply because they were there, in proximity. It does not make it right, but the reality is it happened. Over the years, I’ve learned that it is nobody’s fault that I’m stressed or that they are stressed. Instead, it is the reality of being human. It is the reality of existing in a fast-paced world with responsibilities and a to-do list. I’ve since changed my To-Do List to my Desire List. From there, I set small goals for the hour and the day. More importantly, I give myself grace because, God willing, I can resume the next day.

Finding courage in self-accountability and the power of putting you first!

Hope is believing your dreams are possible even when you haven't seen the outcome! Revisiting hope can help you remember life's blessings.

Faith bigger than me, greater than me and more spectacular than I can imagine! Read to learn how I've grown over the past year.