You’re probably one or the other, or, at least, more one than the other. What am I talking about? Introverted and extroverted personality types.
Some people just love social settings. They are usually the “life of the party” and tend to make whatever they are doing a party of its own. While these people love and thrive on the energy of most social settings, others do not.
Introverts hide from groups of people and would much rather spend their time in solitude. The same party that charges up the extrovert completely drains the introvert. One can easily say, especially in today’s society where everyone is so connected… It’s Tough Being Shy.
But, what if being shy was actually bad for your health? And, what if new research actually showed it can even double your risk of death within five years? If that just shocked you a little, you will be very interested in this: According to a study in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity, low levels of the extroversion personality trait may signal that blood levels of a key inflammatory molecule (interleukin 6) have crossed over a threshold linked to a doubling of risk of death within five years.
According to a June 17, 2009 press release by the University of Rochester Medical Center, “Long-term exposure to hormones released by the brain of people under stress, for instance, takes a toll on organs. Like any injury, this brings a reaction from the body’s immune system, including the release of immune chemicals that trigger inflammation in an attempt to begin the healing process. The same process goes too far as part of diseases from rheumatoid arthritis to Alzheimer’s disease to atherosclerosis, where inflammation contributes to clogged arteries, heart attacks and strokes.”
Medical science is beginning to study the mindbody connection more and more. In doing so, it is discovering just how profound an effect personality and stress can have on one’s health and wellbeing.
But the big question is: Now that research is showing the health benefits of having an extroverted personality – Could An Introvert Become An Extrovert…And get the same health benefits?
According to the University of Rochester Medical Center press release: “The findings recall an idea described as early as 1911 by French philosopher Henri Bergson that he called élan vitale or ”life force,” according to the authors. This aspect of adult personality may be linked to childhood temperament as well. Some babies are very relaxed, other babies are active. Activity levels may reflect a fundamental, biologically-based energy reserve, although no one has explained the biochemistry behind it.”
It seems that people may simply be born introverts or extroverts. But, your increasing your activity levels may be one thing you can change that can be of great benefit to your health. Even though you cannot change your innate personality – physical exercise may be linked to the activity level in extroverts – which may help lower IL-6 levels. But, here’s something interesting the researchers said, “Beyond physical activity, some people seem to have this innate energy separate from exercise that makes them intrinsically involved in life.”
So the question is: Are some people just born with a different “life force” that gives them more energy or can you change your habits and state of mind and give yourself more “life force”? Who knows for sure. One thing is for certain that you need to keep your stress levels low and have a positive attitude. Whether its physical stress that can be corrected with proper chiropractic care, or emotional stress that can be calmed with relaxation, you need to stay healthy.
For more tips, visit the blog section at www.BackCareCentral.com or www.TitanTherapy.com or www.InjuredPain.com and learn about new and exciting ways to stay healthy.