Sometimes perfectionists are harder to point out than you may think. Some people were born with an overbearing drive to succeed, while others develop these characteristics as a result of different life experiences. When most of us think of perfectionists, we imagine people organizing closets all day, playing sudoku, and calculating the probabilities of their score for an economics test. However, many perfectionist are messy, netflix-loving, couch potatoes. The most common quality of these two types of people are that they are severely performance-driven.If you're a perfectionist, you know all about the daily struggles regarding achievement and failure.You strive to perform tasks to the best of your ability,fearing to disappoint others, but mostly disappointing yourself. It is simply impossible to achieve "perfection," so the process of yearning for it may cause major self-esteem issues, relationship constraints,and even health-related issues. You see, one can look at stress as a bell curve. During the upward slope, it is called acute stress. Acute stress may actually be beneficial in a few ways.Research suggests that it encourages people to fulfill tasks in a timely manner, helps maintain focus, and increases memory retention. However, once you reach the top of the bell curve, that is where you hit the plateau. Here is where the acute stress is no longer useful. Then, when you keep going and start sloping downwards, say hello to chronic stress. Unfortunately, this is when perfectionism gets messy. Chronic stress is categorized by a response to your body recognizing stress for a prolonged period of time in which a person feels it is out of their control. Some consequences include higher blood pressure, a suppressed immune system, and damage to ones mental health.
So, it's safe to say that being a perfectionist is both a blessing and a curse. Luckily, I have shared a few tips on how to avoid or cope with the symptoms of being a perfectionist.
Do Cardio
I know working out and hitting the gym may be a hassle at times, but trust me when I say it helps. When you run, your body releases endorphins which presumably make you feel good. Carido is great for your health, emotional state, and body. Plus, eventually you'll see great improvements in your body and general mood.
Get Your Sleep Cycle on Track
Sleep is a major key in our primary brain functions. While were sleeping, our brains are recharging, and our memories are being consolidated. This is great, but sleep deprivation is not. Sleep deprivation includes symptoms such as detrimental effects on your judgement, mood, health, and memory. Research has shown that people who receive enough sleep, actually live happier lives. Start by setting an alarm every morning at the same exact time, even if you are used to going to bed late. Then, step by step, start trying to go to bed at a reasonable time. The process is frustrating at first, but it pays off.
Get a Hobby Outside of School and Work
As much as perfectionists' actually enjoy their intense work ethic, taking a step back and doing other activities you enjoy will actually be beneficial to your lifestyle. Take the initiative to explore different options alone, or with some friends. Join an interesting group or organization. Try out a variety of sports. Maybe even find out if you have an artistic side. It's important to give your mind a break from the constant battle to achieve everything to your best ability.
Take Situations for What They Are
Obviously, easier said than done. Sometimes, even perfectionist need to take a step back and absorb reality for what it is. The truth is, getting a B on a test is not the end of the world, accidentally missing an assignment does not make you a failure, and at times we will disappoint people we look up to.It is important to remember that you are only human and failure is part of human nature. Despite what you may think, you ARE good enough.
Force Yourself to Have "Me Time"
Perfectionist often find themselves having to stay constantly busy. This ranges from working on tasks, searching for new projects, organizing, and a big list of much more. But, consistently stimulating your body and mind is not necessarily healthy when dealing with chronic stress. In the field of clinical psychology, there is a practice called exposure therapy. Usually, this includes helping people concur fears. For example, if you have a phobia of snakes, in exposure therapy, the therapist will make you encounter a snake until you are no longer terrified and get comfortable enough to even touch the snake. Exposure therapy can also work in terms of anxiety when someone is not doing anything productive. To get over it, you simply have to force yourself to take time to do nothing. Nothing may be a little broad, but even just hanging out and watching tv for a couple of hours is a start. So, take a look at your schedule, and mark off few hours a day with "me time." You'll be surprised by how much your stress level will be reduced once you start learning the art of relaxation.
