Want to improve your overall physical health? Gaining a new perspective on your stress levels can help. Research has discovered that stress can be a significant factor in our physical health and well-being. In fact, prolonged exposure to stress can be damaging. When unaware of the impact, we can naturally develop poor coping habits which can lead to physical exhaustion and even disease.
Personality Type and Stress
Two types of personalities that are most vulnerable to stress are Type A and Type D Personalities. Type A structures are defined as personalities that are more reactive, competitive, motivated, verbally aggressive, time conscious or easily angered. Over 700 studies have explored predictors of health and the collection of characteristics possessed by these personality types.
Unfortunately, these qualities make a person vulnerable to a constant alarm state that over-stresses their systems. This can lead to increased incidence of heart disease as well as other physical health problems. (Chida & Hamer, 2008, Chida & Steptoe, 2009). Conversely, type D personalities typically suppress their feelings and hide their negative emotions, often times to avoid disapproval from others. These personalities are vulnerable to emotional overload by daily social stress. Studies have shown that Type D personalities are at an elevated risk of heart attacks (Grande et al., 2012).
“A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a
downcast spirit dries up the bones”
Proverbs 17:22 (NRSV)
If you are vulnerable to physical health issues, assessing stress can help you stay healthy. College students, professionals, missionaries, pastors, or those in leadership positions can increase performance by becoming aware of critical stress areas. Women facing pregnancy can resist illness and other factors by enhancing stress management. Mature adults seeking to strengthen their immune system and maintain cardiovascular health can benefit from understanding daily stress triggers.
Stress assessment is a valuable intervention
for those who take on demanding lifestyles.
In depth stress assessments and management strategies are available at Christian Counseling Associates. We provide several different types of psychological tests that are specifically designed to help people develop progressive stress management plans. With assessment, counseling, and support, you can alleviate the harmful effects of stress in your life!
Call Christian Counseling Associates today, and request a personalized stress management profile. Stress profiles can be the start to effective stress management and improved physical health. We have group packages available for church leaders, corporations, small business groups, and families.
Assess your stress today, and take the next step to better emotional and physical health with Christian Counseling Associates!
God Bless,
Richard Hoffman Ph.D.
Clinical Director
Christian Counseling Associates of Western PA
Website: www.ccawpa.com
References:
Chida, Y. &. (2008). Chronic psychosocial factors and acute physiological responses to laboratory-induced stress in healthy populations: a quantitative review of 30 years of investigations.Psychological Bulletin, 134, 829-885.
Chida, Y. &. (2009). The association of anger and hostility with future coronary heart disease: A meta-analytic review of prospective evidence. Journal of American College of Cardiology, 17, 936-946.
Chida, Y. H. (2008). Do stress-related psychosocial factors contribute to cancer incidence and survival?Nature Reviews: Clinical Oncology, 5, 466-475.
Cohen, S. &. (2006). Positive affect and health. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15, 122-125.
Cohen, S. D. (2003). Sociability and susceptibility to the common cold. Psychological Science, 14, 389-395.
Grande, G. R. (2012). Association between Type D personality and prognosis in patients with cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 43, 299-310.
Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. (1998). Psychological influences on surgical recovery: Perspectives from psychoneuroimmunology. American Psychologist, 53, 1209-1218.
Steptoe, A. C. (2010). Author reply: Meta-analysis of stress-related factors in cancer. Nature Reviews: Clinical Oncology, 7, 397.
