 |
| www.jeanniejeannie.com |
Of particular fascination to us is how temperament drives us. We have a classic male extrovert/female introvert relationship. We've done several tests and there's no doubt about it. If you were to lay a scale out with 10 being extremely extroverted and 1 being extremely introverted, my husband would be somewhere around an 8.5 and I would probably fall around 2. You know what they say about opposites, right?
Being introverted or extroverted basically affects how we think, gain energy, and relate to the world around us. It really has nothing to do with liking or disliking people, a common misconception. We just interact with people differently. I use Jay Leno and David Letterman as classic examples of the temperaments. Jay is an extrovert and David is an introvert. They both have the same job and do the same thing, they just do it differently. Watch them back to back and you'll see their different styles quite plainly. Added to the introverted/extroverted thing is the right brain/left brain dominant thing. Left brainers tend to be more analytical and organized; right brainers tend to be more creative and spontaneous.
A left brain extrovert is someone like my husband. They can talk to anyone about anything. They do well in groups. They make good managers and leaders. They're good at making quick decisions, keeping people motivated, and can jump from topic to topic with ease. Extroverts usually think out loud; they talk and then they think. They are open and "wear their hearts on their sleeves." Their left brain strength tends to make them very good at organizing step by step plans, keeping schedules, and solving problems. They use logic, have strengths in mathematics and science, and crave order. They are good with the details. In some ways, being left brain dominant takes some of the "spazz" out of a strong extrovert. However, my husband still squirrels quite a bit...
Right brain introverts, like myself, are at the opposite end of the spectrum. We aren't comfortable in large gatherings or conversation in large groups. We prefer one on one discussions. We are inward thinkers; we think (and think and think) and then we speak. We tend to be quite private and don't openly share our thoughts or feelings right away. Therefore, we generally don't make spontaneous decisions. We help others come to their own decisions and find their balance with calm and deliberate discussion. The right brain drives things like art, music, creative writing, and thinking outside the box. We think with feelings and emotions instead of with logic and the scientific method. A big concern for us is the well being and perceptions of others. We think big picture and long term, instead of about the details. That free thinking can tend to make us disorganized with no sense of urgency. We right brainers can be excellent procrastinators. Thankfully, being an introvert means a lot of thinking and planning is going on. So, usually, we procrastinate with a strategy.
Of course, there are also just as many extroverted right brain people and introverted left brain people out there. And, some people fall more towards a 5 on the introvert/extrovert scale. All these personalities in world are what make it interesting.
Another intriguing topic is how our temperaments dictate how we gain and lose energy. I've recently started learning about this while reading some of Dr. Marti Olsen Laney's books, specifically The Introvert Advantage.
The brain is a complicated thing, and since I'm no expert, I'll go off of what they experts say. Part of brain functioning is controlled by neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals the body produces that turn on and off high and low brain functions. According to Rammsayer (European Psychologist 1998), if you're an extrovert your brain produces more dopamine (there are actually 5 different types) than introverts. It maps a specific way through the brain turning on specific types of reactions and functions. The more dopamine that travels through the extroverted brain, the better the person feels. Outside stimuli triggers the production of dopamine. The more outside simulation, the more dopamine is produced, creating more good feelings. The pathways get stronger and stronger as the brain matures, making dopamine the "go to" neurotransmitter for the extroverted brain. Extrovert brains have lower blood flow and lower internal activity than introverted brains, and therefore they naturally seek outside stimulus to create a "kick" (Laney 2007). Therefore, the more exciting the situation, the more energized the extrovert feels. Also, dopamine travels a short circuit through the brain. It is what triggers our flight or fight instinct and instinctively moves the body. That is why extroverts are so good at making a quick call or tackling an emergency. It doesn't matter if they're left brain or right brain, dopamine is what gets the extrovert brain going. During long periods of inactivity, the brain begins craving the dopamine and the person starts feeling down or restless, even stressed.
My husband is a classic example. He spends most of his day at an office, staring at a computer working on science stuff (total left brain). When emergency situations take place though, he is stimulated and jumps to action. If there is something that needs taken care of immediately, he is one to take charge and get things in order. But, if he has a day where there is no clear purpose or communication with others, he feels down. The down feeling is even worse if he feels like he didn't accomplish anything. As soon as he can get out of the office and socialize or exercise, he feels better.
One of the things that creates the stimulus for more dopamine is exercise. When an extroverted person is involved in some sort of sporting activity, it creates the dopamine which makes them feel good. For an extrovert exercise relieves stress, calms them, and provides clarity. For many extroverts, the more extreme the exercise the better. That is why many gravitate towards extreme sports like snowboarding or downhill mountain biking and fast paced group sports like soccer or basketball.
Think about yourself, especially if you enjoy and crave physical activity. Do you prefer team sports or adrenaline pumping activities? If so, more than likely you are an extrovert. Awesome. Having the natural desire to get out and be active is a huge advantage. Sure, there will be days you just don't really feel like it, but more often than not it doesn't take much to get you in a pair of running shoes, on a bike, on the basketball court, or whatever. You love it.
Of course, there is a downside. That pursuit of dopamine can get you into trouble if you don't pursue exercise in a healthy way. You may have trouble relaxing which is necessary to rebuild and recover. Not only can overdoing it cause physical injury, but it can be detrimental to mental health if it comes between relationships. How many relationships end because one of the partners puts their sport and "training" before everything else? Even though extroverts don't necessarily have trouble being active, it is important to maintain a healthy balance.
Introverts' brains function in a very different way. Unlike the extrovert, the introvert's brain is constantly running at a deep level; it has a higher blood flow and internal activity. They are always, always thinking and because of this their brain uses more energy. This is caused by their natural high production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. There is only one kind of acetylcholine, unlike the five varieties of dopamine. Also, unlike dopamine, it takes a much longer route to travel through the brain. Acetylcholine controls things like long term memory and concentration. Instead of being produced by outside stimuli, it is produced best when there is little dopamine running through the system- when the environment is quiet and calm, during intimate conversations, and deep private concentration. Because this chemical takes longer to make the journey through the brain, it also requires conservation, and extra time. That is why introverts take a longer time to speak- they are running through a great deal of information and processing every bit of it before they open their mouths. That is why they make excellent listeners, have strong memories, and can be helpful in calming down stressful situations. Times of deep concentration and reflection are what stimulate the introvert brain. Every night, their brain stores all this complex information they have been downloading and processing during the day. That is why it is important for introverts in particular to get a healthy amount of sleep. Many actually need more than the recommended 8 hours.
High intensity activities like parties, fast paced situations, and exercise have the complete opposite effect on the introvert brain than they do on the extrovert. Instead of being stimulating, these things drain and wear down the introvert. By the end of a party, introverts will either have a glazed look in their eyes or they will already have left. It's not that they don't like people, it's that theirs brains have downloaded a ton of information that needs filed, sorted, and catalogued and they need down time to do that. If you have trouble remembering what was discussed at the party, the best choice is to turn to your introverted friend. They may not have been talking the whole time, but you can count on them listening and remembering just about everything that was said.
For me, if we've had a busy weekend socializing or traveling, I become extremely exhausted towards the end. It's not that I don't enjoy doing these things, it is because I haven't had a chance to recharge from all that dopamine. I'm running on acetylcholine fumes. By the end of that weekend, as much fun as it is at the time, I can come out actually feeling a little down because my brain was in hyper drive the whole time. I have to get my acetylcholine back up. So, I need at least a day to spend quietly in the house reading, painting, writing, editing photos, and catching up on sleep. My introvert brain is constantly running and needs time to sort all the experiences and memories. I personally thrive on memories. When making decisions I tend to look to the past for reinforcement and encouragement. If I did these 45 miles and felt good before, I should be able to do it again. Finding patterns in the past, personal or otherwise, is something that occupies a great deal of my thoughts. Wonder why I went into history and archaeology?
According to Dr. Laney, introverts, and especially the right brain ones like myself, have a difficult time exercising. It produces such a large dose of dopamine, it actually makes us feel bad. Our brains resist dopamine production because it hinders the production of acetylcholine. So, unlike extroverts who can run the risk of overdoing it, introverts run the risk of not exercising at all!
When I learned this, suddenly it all made sense! Now I finally understand why I can't stay consistent and dread exercise, despite knowing and understanding the health benefits. Even though I love riding my bike, it doesn't free my mind or reduce stress like many others say it does for them. I love it because it serves a purpose. Even though it is fun (until my dopamine is through the roof), for me it isn't the act of riding that is enjoyable, it is knowing what the riding is doing for me that gives me the good feelings. Weird, huh?
So, after learning all this, how can we apply it to health? Back in the day, like last month, I thought that maybe my inconsistency was a character flaw. I must just be a lazy person. It is easy to think that, especially in our culture that promotes extroversion and even encourages introverts to become extroverts. Of course, our culture also promotes athleticism. Those of us who don't get our kicks from that are often told we don't stack up, we are lazy, or we don't have any drive. Before we know it, we start believing that and begin practicing the bad habits we are accused of having. Introverts are extremely self critical, so it only takes a push in that direction to have us flying down the slippery slope of poor self image...then we can become lazy. By the way, you can't change your temperament. If you're an extrovert you're an extrovert and if you're an introvert you're an introvert. There is nothing wrong with being either and there's nothing to be ashamed of. Being one or the other isn't better or worse. They both have their strengths and weaknesses.
How do right brain introverts- who get their kicks being from being still- get out and exercise with the consistency and commitment of an extrovert? We all need to exercise whether we run on dopamine or acetylcholine. Here are some tips I've learned and a couple that I've come up with on my own now that I better understand how my body and mind works.
-Set goals, but not just big ones. Right brain introverts are good at goal setting because they see the big picture. But, it is helpful to set smaller ones, "mile markers," along the way to stay motivated. Say your overall goal is to lose so many pounds. Instead of focusing on that goal weight, break it up into smaller increments, like every 5 or 10 pounds. Looking at those, you'll see faster progress and you'll feel more motivated to continue.
-Develop a rewards system. If you reach one of those mile markers give yourself a prize, something that caters to your enjoyments. Buy a new book or movie. Schedule a day that you get the whole house to yourself. Go to the art museum. Whatever it is, make sure that is it something you want to work towards and can be a light at the end of the tunnel (because let's face it, a lot of times exercising feels like a tunnel of misery).
-Balance your time. Follow up the exercise with good quality acetylcholine recharging time. After your workout, cool down, and shower settle on the couch with a book or watch a little TV. If your body is screaming for a nap, take a nap. I often tell myself when I'm in the middle of a hard ride and I want to cut it short because it isn't fun anymore, "Just focus on that tea, plush robe, and book that's waiting at the end. Tea. Robe. Book. Tea. Robe. Book." Also, if I do my workouts early, I can get in that down time and be refreshed and ready to go for the rest of the day and evening without getting worn down too early.
-Choose an Introverted Activity. Most introverts aren't going to join the Saturday morning tag football squad or participate in the Crossfit fad. By nature we don't like to be competitive with people around us, we compete with ourselves. Therefore, we prefer individual or duo sports. That is why I like cycling, it provides a way to challenge myself without being in a group. It is also something I can share with a few friends, but don't expect to see me at too many group rides. Hiking is another favorite for me because it is strenuous (so I know I'm getting the physical payoff I need) and it provides a source of reflection and inspiration from nature. While hiking and biking may not be for you, try to find something that you can do on your own or with a close friend. Since high intensity workouts produce more dopamine than slower paced ones, something like swimming or cross country skiing works well for a lot of introverts. There's something out there for everyone; keep looking.
-Make a Schedule. This keeps us right brainers organized and focused and it reminds introverts to stay on track even though we don't necessarily want to. I have set up my own exercise schedule that lays out when and where I will hike or bike, how long, and how that helps me reach my fitness goals. Share the schedule with your spouse, partner, or a close friend so they can help you stick with it.
Now, here's an exercising tip for both introverts and extroverts:
Exercise regularly with a friend of the opposite temperament. Extroverts are great exercise buddies, especially for introverts. They keep the activity lively, they encourage you, and they stay positive. Granted, sometimes it can be a little annoying. I've been known get irritated when my husband and I are riding up a brutal hill and he's chatting away cheerfully while all I can think about is the misery I'm experiencing. I just want him to be quiet. But, the rest of the time, it is extremely enjoyable to have him along to keep me going and in good spirits.
Introverts make excellent work out partners because they can deepen the conversation during the activities. For example, we have some of our best talks on our hikes because I naturally turn the conversation beyond surface talk and he responds more easily because the physical activity is stimulating his brain to a deeper level. Introverts also can keep the exercise junkie in check, by making sure they are staying balanced and taking the proper time to recover. We are professional relaxers, after all.
I've started putting all these things into my daily practice over the last couple of weeks and I can see a huge improvement in my activity levels. Now that I know how my brain uses and responds to exercise, I can plan accordingly.
Maybe this information will help you too.
If you are interested in learning more about the temperaments and how it affects they way you and your loved ones work, I highly recommend checking out Dr. Laney's book The Introvert Advantage. She has also written The Introvert & Extrovert in Love, which focuses on romantic relationships and Hidden Gifts of the Introverted Child, for those parents with introverted children. Even if you are an extrovert these books still have a lot to teach about how you do things and how to relate to the introverted person in your life. I'm constantly recommending her books to people, and have purchased copies for friends many times; so has my husband, the classic left brain extrovert. Before we read her books, we just thought the other person was weird.
Now, we know how each other thinks and works and can relate and communicate to one another better. My husband now knows that if I'm in physical stress climbing a hill, I don't want to discuss how nice the weather is at that moment (I'm getting my maximum fill of dopamine and all I want to think about is "Tea, robe, book"). I now know that climbing that hill is stimulating his brain and that is why he wants to talk even more than usual. Also, I now understand why he needs to get into our home gym or go for a run after a frustrating day at work. Finally, I can plan my workouts with more efficiency by keeping in mind how it will jive with my schedule and how it will affect my energy.
Cool stuff, that psychology!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Posting of comments will be delayed until they are approved.