Mind Your Mind for Stress Relief

This blog post is part of a four-part series on the stress busting power of a personal mission statement. We believe that personal mission statements limit negative stress and provide guidelines for a satisfying life.

We are talking about the stress management benefits you gain from having a clearly defined personal mission statement. A personal mission statement describes the true essence of a person. It conveys the emotional connection the person who wrote it has to those things they hold dear. Those “things” may be described as the persons, places, or experiences they value.

A personal mission statement also provides insight into someone’s thoughts, beliefs, actions, and behaviors. The author gains clarity around the direction of their lives. A clearly defined mission statement is a powerful stress management tool. This blog post will describe three ways in which a personal mission statement lowers negative stress.

Five Senses and Stress

We know that stress is a physical response to a change or to an unspecified stimulus. The brain scans input from our senses for threats or risk. When it detects something that could be a threat or risk, the brain instantaneously starts a physical chain of events. This chain of events changes the body. A few of the changes are as follows. The heart beats faster and harder. Blood pressure increases. Muscles tighten and tense.

Anything we see, hear, smell, touch, or taste can also begin the stress response based on the brain’s interpretation. Our thoughts and feelings can also begin the stress response. This is one of the hidden causes of overwhelming stress. We understand the feeling of stress we experience if we are frightened by a barking dog. The body reacts the same way if we think about a barking dog coming toward us.

Negative stress caused by what we think and feel is often overlooked or ignored. However, the brain cannot distinguish between real, imagined, or perceived threats.

Have You Ever Watched a Horror Movie?

Here is another example. When you watch a horror movie, your body responds to the scary scenes as if it is happening to you in real time. Some scenes cause us to scream and attempt to run. Other scenes leave us tense. I remember watching the movie A Quiet Place. When the movie started, patrons were eating popcorn and snacks. After the first scene ended, no one made a sound and barely moved. When it ended, we all left the theater in silence.

We did not physically experience the events in the movie. Our brains, however, caused our bodies to react as if we were experiencing them. I personally felt muscle tension. During the frightening scenes, my heart pounded. I was too frightened to scream but felt the need.

When you have a personal mission statement you live with the most unique opportunity to obtain your true desires. Additionally, you can do so with limited negative stress.

A personal mission statement provides structure, stability, and safety

Structure –
It is like having a rubric or a set of guidelines to direct all thoughts, feelings, actions, and behaviors. This type of structure provides clarity. You have a process for easily and consistently meeting your expectations and those others have of you.

Stability –
Sudden, unexpected changes contribute to negative stress. Stable is often defined as a structure that is not easily overturned. One that is fixed with little wavering. A personal mission statement enables you to establish and maintain a life that cannot be overturned by the events around you. You have a firm foundation that relates to living your personal mission.

As previously stated, all thoughts, feelings, actions, and behaviors are consistent with the intent of your personal mission statement. Responses to changes or events will also be filtered based on the intent of the mission statement.

Safety –
Safety and security are foundational needs according to Maslow. Healthy development and functioning rely on feeling safe and secure. Safety is felt when a person believes they can protect themselves from something that is potentially harmful. For example, I look both ways before crossing a street. if I see a car driving towards me, I will wait until the road is clear. My actions keep me safe from being hit by a car.

The sense of security, however, is measured by the presence of real, perceived or imagined features that prevent harm. These features can be natural or manmade. An example of a device that provides a sense of security is a home alarm system. Roads, railroad tracks, or neighborhoods provide mental, or emotional sense of security. Mountains, rivers, and oceans are natural physical barriers that provide a sense of security.

What I do

I am showing working women step by step how to development a personal mission statement during “Stress Talk” Live with Marcyline Bailey. This 30 minute program is broadcast every Sunday at 4pm on the M.L Bailey Consultants Facebook page and on YouTube. Join us weekly.

Do you want to stress less? Download 7 Sensational Stress Solutions

“Here is to your sustainable, successful and satisfying stress managed life.”
Visit the M.L. Bailey Consultants website to view our calendar of events. Join the conversation by liking our Facebook page, following me on Instagram and connecting with me on LinkedIn.