Give yourself the gift of tailored self-care using Myers-Briggs personality psychology

Give yourself the gift of tailored self-care using Myers-Briggs personality psychology

It’s holiday time! Are all your travel plans scheduled? Have you set boundaries with family members? Is there anyone you need gifts for that you haven’t gotten or made yet? Did you even set a shopping budget for yourself? Who’s bringing dessert?

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed when it comes to (let’s sing it) “the most wonderful time of the year,” you’re not alone.

According to a survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2020, 61% of people reported that they anticipated added financial stress during the holiday season. And the same APA survey found that 47% of people were concerned about the lack of time during the holiday season.

Additionally, it’s hard to keep up the same self-care and well-being habits when you’re traveling and celebrating with others (currently writing from a hotel room with a lukewarm coffee beside me and finding out the hotel’s gym is under construction, which was not mentioned on their website). The APA's survey in 2020 revealed that 56% of respondents were concerned about maintaining their health habits during the holidays.

And balancing work commitments and holiday festivities can also contribute to stress. Because even though we’d all love if EOD meant the end of December, you know that’s not happening. The survey found that 35% of respondents reported feeling stressed about work during the holiday season. And don’t forget about family relation stress, travel stress, and gift-giving stress. It’s a lot.

At this time of the year, because stress can be higher it’s that much more important that you take time for self-care, and manage your stress in the way that works best for YOU. Because our research has found that not all stress remedies work for everyone. In fact, there are certain things that stress one MBTI type that are a stress relief for another MBTI type!

Resting/recuperating during the holidays is also important before going back to work because if you want to perform better, you can’t be drained from holiday stress. It’s also important to prioritize self-care so you can feel your best no matter who you’re interacting with.

"You can't pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first." - Eleanor Brownn

If you’re like me, sometimes it can be hard to prioritize self-care because you feel like you need to take care of everyone else and everything else first. But it’s actually the other way around. The more you take care of yourself, the better you can provide for others. As Arianna Huffington (co-founder of the Huffington Post says, "self-care is not a waste of time; it's a necessary part of taking care of yourself so that you can be the best version of yourself."

And Christopher Germer, clinical psychologist, adds, "self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others."

Ready to give yourself the gift of self-awareness and targeted stress management? Use the code GIFT23 to get 15% off of MBTIonline or MBTIonline Careers now through December 26, 2023.

Still not convinced? Here are six reasons to take care of yourself and actively manage your stress during the holiday season:

1. Reducing Stress: The holiday season can be hectic with shopping, parties, and various social obligations. Taking time for self-care helps reduce stress by allowing you to decompress and recharge. This can prevent burnout and help you navigate the demands of the season with greater ease.
2. Maintaining Mental Health: The holidays may bring about mixed emotions, including joy, nostalgia, and sometimes stress or sadness. Prioritizing self-care supports your mental health, helping you cope with any challenges or emotional ups and downs that may arise during this time.
3. Boosting Immune System: The colder weather and increased social interactions during the holidays can make you more susceptible to illnesses. Prioritizing self-care, such as getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, and staying active, can strengthen your immune system and help you stay healthy.
4. Enhancing Relationships: Taking care of yourself allows you to be more present and engaged in your relationships. When you prioritize self-care, you are better equipped to connect with loved ones, enjoy meaningful moments, and contribute positively to the holiday festivities.
5. Setting Boundaries: The holiday season often involves numerous invitations and commitments. Engaging in self-care empowers you to set healthy boundaries and make choices that align with your well-being. Learning to say no when necessary helps prevent being overwhelmed and ensures you have the time and energy for activities that truly matter to you.
6. Fostering Gratitude: Practicing self-care encourages mindfulness and reflection, fostering a sense of gratitude. Taking time to appreciate the positive aspects of your life can enhance your overall well-being and bring a deeper sense of fulfillment during the holiday season.

Self-care is a personal and individualized practice, so it's essential to figure out the activities that work best to calm and re-energize you.

Prioritizing self-care can contribute to a more fulfilling and enjoyable holiday season.

So, what works for self-care for each MBTI personality type? Let’s start with the basics: Extraversion & Introversion. Those who prefer Extraversion are energized and like to focus their attention on the outside world of people and things. If they’re spending time alone, it can be draining for them and they may feel the need to call a friend or get outside among the crowds to get their energy back. During the holiday season, things like long solo car rides or even flights can feel draining for those preferring Extraversion.

On the other hand, those who prefer Introversion are energized and like to focus their attention on the inner world of thoughts and ideas. If they’re spending time socializing with friends and family, it can be draining for them and they may need to get away from the crowds or have some quiet, alone time to recharge. Things like holiday parties or family gatherings can feel draining for those preferring Introversion.

What does our research say about what self-care works for which MBTI types? Take a look at the list below for our recommendations based on our research:

Stress remedies for each of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types during the holidays:

ISTJ and ISFJ

• Take some time alone to appreciate the details around you.
• Think about other times when stressful situations ended positively.
• Hand-write a gratitude list of the things you’re grateful for this holiday season.
• Find a quiet place and take five minutes to slow your breathing. Take a deep breath in through your nose, hold it for a count of three, then slowly let it out through your mouth.

ESTP and ESFP

• Don’t forget to ask others for help. Even if it’s just a little reassurance, reach out to others when you’re stressed.
• Phone a friend! Even if you don’t have anyone nearby, give a call to a family member or friend to have a catch-up and perhaps even vent some of your worries.
• Do a “5 senses” meditation – set a timer for 5 minutes, and then spend 1 minute observing all the information you can take in for each sense: sight, sound, hearing, touch, taste.
• Get up and move. Whether that be going for a quick walk outside (bonus points if it’s with a friend), flowing through a few heart-pumping sun salutations, or even doing jumping jacks or sit-ups, these are all ways to get your blood moving and help calm you down.

INFJ and INTJ

• Make sure you schedule some downtime or self-care time to re-energize. You probably have a lot on the calendar, so add some quiet time for you!
• Handwrite a gratitude list – think of all the things (big and small) that you’re grateful for this holiday season.
• Find a quiet place and take five minutes to slow your breathing. Take a deep breath in through your nose, hold it for a count of three, then slowly let it out through your mouth.

ENFP and ENTP

• Pay attention to your physical needs, such as the need for exercise. Whether that be going for a quick walk outside (bonus points if it’s with a friend), flowing through a few heart-pumping sun salutations, or even doing jumping jacks or sit-ups, these are all ways to get your blood moving and help calm you down.
• Remember that sometimes it’s OK to say no. Set your boundaries early to make sure you’re not overcommitted.
• Phone a friend! Even if you don’t have anyone nearby, give a call to a family member or friend to have a catch-up and perhaps even vent some of your worries.

ISTP and INTP

• Take time to regroup. Try to mentally take yourself out of the situation for a different vantage point. If you want a different vantage point in the holiday spirit, try the vantage point of a pine tree, branches swaying gently in the snow-flurry-filled breeze.
• Make sure you schedule some downtime or self-care time to re-energize. You probably have a lot on the calendar, so add some quiet time for you.
• Handwrite a gratitude list – think of all the things (big and small) that you’re grateful for this holiday season.
• Video games! Our research showed that those with preferences for ISTP rated playing video games as helpful to their well-being.

ESTJ and ENTJ

• Phone a friend! Even if you don’t have anyone nearby, give a call to a family member or friend to have a catch-up and perhaps even vent some of your worries.
• Get up and move. Whether that be going for a quick walk outside (bonus points if it’s with a friend), flowing through a few heart-pumping sun salutations, or even doing jumping jacks or sit-ups, these are all ways to get your blood moving and help calm you down.
• Write down a pros and cons list about what you’re stressed about. This will get into your Thinking preferences (one of your strengths), and help you process some of your stress in a manageable and controllable way.

ISFP and INFP

• Spend as much time alone as you need. Seriously. Book it into your calendar if it helps, but make sure to set aside time to recharge.
• Make a list of all your obligations, and then the people you’re going to see at these events and how it positively affects other people. Getting into your Feeling preference by thinking about the people you’re positively affecting will help boost your mood.
• Focus on what’s right rather than what’s wrong.

ESFJ and ENFJ

• Take time to refocus on your values.
• Make a list of all your obligations, and then the people you’re going to see at these events and how it positively affects other people. Getting into your Feeling preference by thinking about the people you’re positively affecting will help boost your mood.
• Get together with a friend or group of friends. Even if you don’t have anyone nearby, give a video call to a family member or friend to have a catch-up and perhaps even vent some of your worries.
• Get up and move. Whether that be going for a quick walk outside (bonus points if it’s with a friend), flowing through a few heart-pumping sun salutations, or even doing jumping jacks or sit-ups, these are all ways to get your blood moving and help calm you down.

Ready to give yourself the gift of self-awareness and targeted stress management? Use the code GIFT23 to get 15% off of MBTIonline or MBTIonline Careers now through December 26, 2023.

Want to learn more about personality type and how to be your own personal development coach? Download our self-improvement ebook here.