Is your personality affecting your mental health?

[HelpGuide logo](   Is Your Personality Affecting Your Mental Health? Your personality is unique to you and shapes how you think, feel, and behave in life. But it can also have a profound effect on your mood, relationships, and overall mental health. Some personality traits can put you at higher risk for anxiety or depression, for example. Others can make you more resilient, better able to cope with life’s hardships and challenges. While some of your personality is shaped by genetics and how you were raised, many personality traits are not set in stone; they can evolve over time. This means you have the ability to change how you interact with the world, accommodate certain negative natural traits, and improve your mood and mental health. You’re a natural worrier. While others seem to take daily setbacks in their stride, you get easily stressed, fearful, or angry. This neurotic characteristic means you tend to feel overwhelmed by stress and lash out at others, jeopardizing your relationships and leaving yourself more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. Finding healthier ways to manage stress, deal with anger, and improve how you communicate can help you cope with these tendencies. [Read more >>]( You’re reluctant to try new things. People who are open to new experiences tend to be better at keeping their brains active and maintaining cognitive functioning as they age. They also often enjoy more vibrant, healthier relationships. To become more open, start with small steps such as varying your daily commute to work, eating in a new restaurant for lunch, or learning a new skill—such as a musical instrument or a new sport. [Read more>>]( You’re an introvert. Of course, there are many benefits to being an introvert. You may be more empathetic, a deeper thinker, and a better listener than some social butterflies. However, too much alone time can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, risk factors for a number of mental health problems. It’s important to strike a healthy balance between time alone for thought and reflection and finding the social support that we all need to stay healthy and happy. [Read more>>]( You hate conflict. Being agreeable, generous, and trusting are excellent qualities for building deep and meaningful relationships, either romantically or with friends and coworkers. However, it is possible to be too agreeable. If you’re reluctant to stand up for yourself during disagreements, or scared to voice your opinion for fear of alienating others, you may need to work on becoming more assertive and learning to set healthy boundaries. [Read more>>]( You’re a perfectionist. When you have a conscientious personality trait, you tend to be organized, ambitious, and self-controlled. But sometimes conscientiousness can be taken to an extreme and veer into perfectionism. If you’re a perfectionist, you set unrealistic expectations for yourself and others. And because your goals are often unattainable, you’re more likely to struggle with depression and anxiety. Learning to allow for imperfections and failure in life can help you find a healthier balance. [Read more>>](   ADVERTISEMENT Traditional therapy, done online Take a quiz, get matched to a therapist, and start getting support by phone or video. As a HelpGuide reader, your first month is 20% off. [GET STARTED →]( Follow us: [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Pinterest]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube](   You received this email because you are signed up to receive HelpGuide's mental health newsletter. If you no longer wish to receive it, please update your email preferences by visiting the links below. [Unsubscribe]( [Manage Preferences]( HelpGuide.org International 515 S. Flower St. Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90071 [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms of Use](