Your personality can also have a significant effect on how you routinely manage stress.  In 1959 Dr. Meyer Friedman, M.D., first reported that a behavior pattern consisting of time urgency (or hurry sickness) and an easily-aroused irritability or anger were an independent risk factor for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD).  This syndrome was named Type A Behavior and has traits such as:
  • Hurried and hostile
  • Chronic sense of urgency
  • Tries to do too much
  • Self-imposed deadlines
  • Talks fast, interrupts
  • Avoids vacations
  • Eats, works, and moves rapidly
  • Impatient and irritable
  • Does not delegate
  • Competitive (has to win)
  • Feels guilty for relaxing
  • Workaholic, neglects rest of life
  The other personality type -- Type B Behavior -- has traits such as:
  • Easy going
  • Relaxed and patient
  • Enjoys leisure
  • Less perfectionist
  • Opposite of type A
 
Type A vs. Type B
  • Research has shown that Type A's with hostility are three times more likely than Type B's to develop heart disease -- the key is hostility!
     
  • Type A's are prone to distress since they are more likely to interpret new events as threatening.
  • It is equally important to note that Type A's generally achieve more than Type B's.

  • Most of us full somewhere in between Type A and Type B.
  • What is needed is Healthy Type A Behavior!

According to Peter Hanson, M.D., author of Stress for Success:

"Healthy Type A's are in good physical shape because of their attention to diet and exercise. They do not abuse alcohol, drugs or tobacco.  For such Type A's, especially if they enjoy their jobs, there seems to be no reason to expect an early heart attack, as would be the case with the hostile, unhealthy Type A's.

By the same token, the Calm Type B's who are obese and smoke don't have a guarantee against having a heart attack. It basically comes down to a healthy lifestyle that helps in avoiding health problems."

How about specific recommendations from experts to help you manage your stress more effectively?  Click here for Action Tips for Stress Management.