In 2023, I had just taken a leadership role in my accounting career. I was juggling an overwhelming workload with a short, staffed team. I was also mothering two toddlers. The hours were long at work making it feel impossible to do it all. What was worse was that I could not stop thinking about work, even through the night! My mind raced constantly. My nerves were always wired as if I was being chased by a lion. Even when I was at home, I was not really present; I was always thinking about work. I also suffered from insomnia and anxiety. I could not even enjoy time off and downtime actually made my anxiety worse!

On my drive to work one day, I got a call that added one more thing to my to-do list. I started crying and couldn't stop. At that point, I felt completely defeated. I would not handle life anymore. I was not strong enough.

I have always struggled with anxiety but I could survive with it. This moment, it got the best of me. At this point, I had read many self-help books and listened to all kinds of podcasts. They all said the same thing and nothing really helped. Great advice but it just did not sink in to help.

Then, one day Dr. Daniel Amen was a guest on one of the podcasts I listened to. He said "It's not you, it's your brain". A lightbulb went off. Yes, that makes sense. He said mental struggles are really symptoms of brain health. I was intrigued. I bought and read his book "You Happier". It was a game changer! 

If you love your brain and every day make choices that are good for it and avoid things that are bad, your mental struggles will improve. A healthy brain is a happy life. 

I started taking in all the information I could find on brain health. I started living the message and have never been more alive, more present, and more calm!

Life does not have to be so hard! Love your brain! Nourish it and protect it!

Live the message then help others!