We all need moderate levels of stress in our lives, as it acts as a motivator to get things done, right now, pronto. But beyond that, it’s our personality type which dictates how we’re able to cope with stress, along with managing how elevated it gets.
There are some who are able to manage their stress effectively, while others find it crippling to function their lives and workload properly.
How we react to this stress is a habit that’s adopted throughout our lives, while some of the traits may be inherited.
Regardless, everyone has and needs to react to their stress effectively.
Stress Won’t Go Away
It comes down to the level of stress which you’re able to manage, before symptoms of poor health sets in.
Some appear bullet proof and are fine coping with lots of pressure, but everyone will eventually reach a threshold and break down.
As we live our daily lives, what happens is the stress builds up in our system, until it fills up and then overflows.
This is similar to water dripping into a bucket. Once it begins to overflow, the unwanted symptoms appear.
This bucket is much like our body. If you allow some of the water to empty out every once in a while, the better off you’ll be, regardless of what your personality type is.
Reducing Your Stress Levels
Some will find just relaxing by meditating is the best way of lowering stress, but it needs to be consistent to have any effect.
Others find exhausting themselves through exercise, such as running, works the best for them.
Whether you use relaxation techniques or work out, it also depends on your personality type along with how you approach life in general.
One constant message is we all need to regulate our stress levels, finding ways to reduce it. Otherwise, stress related illnesses such as mental and emotional issues will surface.
The solution is knowing your particular personality type, and then adapting to it.
1.) – The Perfectionist Personality
For you, absolutely everything needs to be be perfect, and if not, you’re unable to leave it alone or behind.
If one little mistake is made, you’ll repeat the entire process over again to get it right. You also don’t like your daily routine to get disrupted.
You get upset when others don’t do as they’re told, or you’ll just do it yourself, which just compounds your work load and stress levels.
You can’t relax until the job is done to your satisfaction, regardless of how long it takes.
As a result, you’ll do everything as precise as possible, while reacting poorly to emergencies or changes.
To Reduce Stress
You’re too hard on yourself which creates this stress, so what you need is to be more forgiving and realistic.
Relaxing helps by taking time off, finding leisure activities while getting in breaks during your daily routine.
Perfectionists are known to thrive on risk. They’re the bungee jumpers, mountain climbers, the skydivers.
Their attention span at times can be short, as they’re racing towards the next thing to do.
They may also smoke or drink too much, while forgetting to take care of themselves properly. They work hard and they play hard.
2.) – The Anxious Personality
You are too anxious, if you think people are constantly wanting to take advantage of you. Just the smallest of disagreements upset you.
Yet you’re too afraid to stand up or speak up for yourself, even if you know it could help you.
You often lack self confidence, feel vulnerable, say you’re “sorry” much to often and for no good reason, even if it wasn’t your fault.
You bottle up your anger to the point you don’t realize it’s there.
You can’t say “no.” When asked something, your biggest fear is not being liked or not being popular.
To Reduce Stress
Anxious individuals suffer from low self-esteem. They’re jobs are often not very demanding, making them bored, miserable, and frustrated.
They’ll spend their time avoiding things, issues or people, living an unfulfilled life.
Although relaxation or meditation can be helpful, it should also be combined with methods of building up self esteem.
Once taking self confidence building exercises, the effects could potentially be life altering.
3.) – The Ambitious Personality
You’re completely dedicated to everything you start, and are always making sure you complete the task.
You think relaxation and leisure is a waste of time, as you’ll even often dream about your work.
Working is more important than having a social or family life, and you will often do two or more tasks at once.
You’re also able to focus on your current project, to the point of total exclusion of other work.
Those who get in your way or slows you down makes you angry. You feel there’s urgency in everything you do, and there’s never enough time.
It’s important to you, others see you achieve and are successful.
To Reduce Stress
These are the individuals who are usually the most stressed out, while also the least willing to do anything about it.
They’ll deny they’re stressed out, and will just keep going until poor health forces them to slow down or stop.
These are the power driven individuals, who’ll often become aggressive when crossed, as they always need to be in control.
A combination of both relaxation and active leisure can help, along with a routine which includes spending time away from work related activities.
Assessing Your Personality
What the majority of people are is a combination of these personality types.
Once you begin recognizing certain traits about yourself, you should then find a better balance, understanding, and harmony within yourself.
Realize the one thing these personality types all have in common, is they’re driven by fear of failure, and any reaction to fear is always stress related.
If you fit into any of these profiles, recognize it, and make the changes for a healthier, happier you.