Are You Truly the Person You Want to Be?

Or is Stress Getting in Your Way?

Serotonin Stress

Are you the person you would like to be? Where do you see yourself five or ten years from now? If you haven’t asked yourself these questions, you might be much too busy and likely stressed. How can you tell?

First, check your stress level by taking this MSNBC quiz. As you reflect to answer the questions, you’ll likely see your life in a new way. And, once you submit your responses, you’ll have an assessment of where you stand. How did you rate?

Under more stress than you realized? If you find yourself saying, “I thrive on challenges and stress,” consider ways tension affects your body. Did you note that two-thirds of all illnesses are stress related and that 55% of us are stressed at work?

Since this blog focuses on the brain, notice the effects:

• Dilation of cranial arteries resulting in migraine, sleep problems and interference with the brain's neurotransmitters which results in "stage fright", memory and concentration problems, difficulty making decisions, dizziness and fainting.

Not good, since the older you is determined by the life you live now! What can you do without putting yourself in more stress to do it?

While, laughter, exercise, music, or gardening act as quick fixes to counter immediately stressful events, many folks are caught in an overall stress cycle, at home, work and even play. Are you steamed when you miss that golf swing or do you feel like tossing your computer out your window when you followed directions to adjust the template on a web site and it doesn’t work even for the third try? Obviously you are not the person you would like to be. But how can you change this? Let’s consider how to be the person you want to be! After all, you are in charge here.

Start with targets. What is your life goal? Not just a trip you want to take or something you want to buy, but the person you really want to be! What would it take to get there without a lot of stress?

Let’s set easy targets. Suppose you want to be a “kinder, gentler you who is more happy-go-lucky.”

First, see yourself as you describe. And, don’t just think about it, actually do it! Purposeful action brings pleasure and well-being. The hormone Serotonin squirts into your brain and counters stress. I suggest you begin by being good to you. Here’s how:

• Take time for a half hour walk and just soak in the sounds, the color and the feel of you in this world – fill your senses. Set aside time for this activity more in the coming month. This is a gentle place to start and you’ll begin to be more in touch with yourself.

• Enjoy a board game or activity with someone close to you who is fun. Isn’t life more meaningful when you enjoy others and vice versa?

Second, reflect on where you want to see yourself in five and ten years from now. If it isn’t at your current job, what are the steps you need to take to begin a change? You will gather more purpose and pleasure when you move on the journey to be the person you want to be.

Here’s a quick tip to bring more pleasure to you today – when you meet others, look them in the eye and smile. Don’t walk by as if they are invisible. Usually you’ll get a great response. and you’ll find yourself developing a happier mindset throughout your day.

And…you’ll begin to be the person you want to be and the person you want others to see in you!