2020 THE YEAR OF STRESS AND INSANE EMOTIONS

Many of us are probably wishing this year would end tomorrow!!! This has been the most intense year I have ever experienced energetically in all my 63 plus years. When will all this vitriol and hate stop? More importantly, when will I stop feeling so up and down emotionally, physically, and mentally? The planet is in an incredible awakening and the potent and powerful healing going on is being felt around the world as we are all connected energetically. 

Stress is a huge issue right now with so many struggling businesses barely hanging on and the fear of not knowing when financial relief will come. A study from 2014 has shown that Cocoa polyphenols have been shown to reduce stress in highly stressed, as well as normal healthy individuals. The conclusion of the study from the International Journal of Health Sciences has shown Consumption of 40 g of Dark chocolate daily during a period of 2 weeks appear to be an effective way to reduce perceived stress in females. 

The next time you feel stressed, grab a bar or two of chocolate - as new research suggests eating chocolate can help lower your stress levels.

According to researchers at Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Centre in Southern California, in addition to making you happier from the sugar, consuming dark chocolate can have a positive effect on your brain health.

Another way that I have used which is very prevalent in every faith, religion and spiritual growth lifestyle is known as SURRENDER. 

SURRENDER 

when you surrender, you don’t know how things are going to work out. you just let go and do the next thing. Each thing that you do in your life is really important. when you are surrendered, you never know how important each thing that you do is. it might be part of healing the past or an important piece to where you're going. if you are surrendered. you are just doing each thing as it comes.

Surrender and chocolate is how I deal with my stress and unknowing of where I am to put my efforts when things look bleak or lacking clarity. 

What are the warning signs of stress?

• Dizziness or a general feeling of "being out of it."
• General aches and pains.
• Grinding teeth, clenched jaw.
• Headaches.
• Indigestion or acid reflux symptoms.
• Increase in or loss of appetite.
• Muscle tension in neck, face or shoulders.
• Problems sleeping.

Emotional symptoms:

• Depression or general unhappiness.
• Anxiety and agitation.
• Moodiness, irritability, or anger.
• Feeling overwhelmed.
• Loneliness and isolation.
• Other mental or emotional health problems.

It is helpful to tune into your mind and body to determine how high your stress levels are at this difficult time for everyone around the world.

 Choose Dark

Darker chocolate has lower quantities of unhealthy ingredients, such as fat and sugar than milk chocolate. Dark chocolate that is at least 70 percent cacao is the most beneficial variety, and it packs loads of nutritious antioxidants. It even has numerous health-promoting properties that other kinds of chocolate do not contain; for instance, dark chocolate has far more antioxidants and flavonoids than milk or white chocolate.

As it seems that our stress levels will not be letting up soon with an upcoming election, we must take extra special care of our mind and body during this difficult time. Eat your dark chocolate every day, tune out the news first thing in the morning, exercise daily even it is just a 20 minute walk, Create a sense of satisfaction, most important of all enjoy every morsel of your dark chocolate from Righteous Cacao and remember the benefits you are getting in every bite!!! 

From my heart to yours, Audrey Darrow