How Do You Handle Stress?People handle stress differently and many times their reactions to stress are based on their personality styles. Why? Why is it that some people are more vulnerable than others to stress? Some people seem to be permanently on edge whereas others take everything in their stride, even if they have high-pressure jobs with important responsibilities and problems at home as well. One key factor that influences how you handle stress is your personality style. Some personalities are more prone to suffering from stress than others. In the 1970’s, two American researchers were working on a coronary prevention project. From their research, Drs Friedman and Rosenman, found that personality differences affect levels of stress. They divided personality types into two groups- “Type A” and “Type B.” The A-Type personalities appear more hurried, driven, and self-motivated. Research has been done on these personality types suggesting that if these traits become extreme, stress-related illnesses can occur. The B Type personality exhibits almost opposite traits, seeming to be more relaxed, less time oriented and less self-driven. Type B personalities maintain a more objective perspective and therefore are less prone to being negatively affected by stress. Type A personalities allow stress to have a negative influence. Type B personalities tend to use stress in a positive manner.Learn how to cope with stress so that it does not have a detrimental effect on your health. If you handle stress in a negative manner, then you allow the effects of stress to drain your energy or allow the stressors to become distractions from meeting your responsibilities at work, home or in your relationships. To handle stress and your life stressors positively, use the stressors to boost your energy level and motivate you to accomplish the tasks before you. If you are a Type A personality, guard against allowing stress to trigger negative reactions such as anger, hostility, or anxiety. Find relaxation techniques that you can include in your daily schedule.. Both A and B Type personalities can experience negative effects of long-term stress when they have little control over their environment to remedy the stressors. For example, in the work-place, people who believe they have the least amount of control over their job responsibilities and work environment, handle stress poorly and are more likely to suffer from a stress-related illness. Caregivers are another type of high level stress occupations that often have difficulty with levels of stress. Stress is neither good nor bad. It’s what we allow it to do to us that becomes helpful or hurtful. Depending on your personality type, consider how you can control your feelings, motivations and actions. Make certain that stress can be a positive energy flow rather than depleting your energy. Let stress be a reminder to take better care of your health. Good stress produces good habits. Bad stress does the opposite. Let your life challenges make you better, rather than bitter. The only difference in being better or bitter is the letter, “i.” Learn to relax, rather than over react. Be calm and think first before allowing your emotions to overtake the situation. Be constructive with stress rather than destructive with stress. Find a way to reduce stress and build a more rewarding life. How Does Stress Affect Health New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
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