What causes/relieves stress: NF types
What stresses out an ENFJ:
Being in critical or confrontational environments
Lack of appreciation or affirmation
Inadequate time to complete work to their standards
Tense relationships or environments
Having to do mundane, repetitive tasks
Having to conform with something that goes against their values
Over-empathizing with others to the point of losing track of their own needs
Being misunderstood or not trusted
People not living up to their idealized expectations
When an ENFJ experiences stress, they often disassociate themselves from the situation in an effort to protect their sense of well-being and togetherness. They may repress the unpleasant side of life for so long, that it gradually intensifies until the ENFJ explodes with emotion and/or charged anger. Often the ENFJ’s body will reflect pent-up stress by manifesting various physical symptoms, like headaches, shoulder tension or an upset stomach. In the case of chronic stress, the ENFJ may fall into the grip of their inferior function, introverted thinking. When this happens, the ENFJ may uncharacteristically lash out at others, obsess over their mistakes, lack of competence and flaws. Eventually, these criticisms will turn inward and the ENFJ will withdraw from others to self-criticize. He or she may become obsessive about analyzing irrelevant data to find some ultimate truth or reason for their stress.
How to help an ENFJ experiencing stress:
Acknowledge how they feel.
Remind them of their strengths and contributions.
Don’t use logic to talk them out of their stress.
Don’t ignore them, even if they seem irrational.
Give them a change of scenery to get away from the situation.
Go outdoors. Do some type of exercise with them.
Watch a lighthearted movie or comedy with them.
Do not patronize or dismiss their concerns.
What stresses out an INFJ:
Having to focus too much on sensory/concrete details
An overload of sensory stimulation or noise
Distress within a close relationship
Having their values violated
Not enough alone time. Too much extraverting.
Working with closed-minded people
Lack of appreciation or understanding
Unfamiliar environments with overwhelming amounts of details
Not having a clear direction
Not being able to use their intuition or envision the future
Having to focus too much on the present
When under stress, the INFJ feels fragmented or lost. They feel like they can’t be themselves, and feel an urge to act a part to “survive” or fit in. This disassociation can cause physical symptoms for the INFJ, like headaches, IBS, or nausea. The repressed feelings they’re holding onto can cause them to become immobilized. If they are under chronic extreme stress, they may fall into the grip of their inferior function, extraverted sensing. When this happens, they may engage in indulgent, self-destructive habits like binge-eating, cutting, over-exercising, alcoholism, or excessive pornography use. This often feels like an out-of-body experience to them. What they do provides no pleasure, but feels somewhat robotic and out of control. After this occurs, they dwell in self-hatred, falling even more into guilt over what they’ve done. They may become uncharacteristically angry and quick-tempered, unreasonable, and irrational. They may become obsessed with details in their outer world; obsessively cleaning or doing housework. They stumble over their words, and their intense feelings eventually lead them to a state of complete exhaustion.
How to help an INFJ experiencing stress:
Reduce sensory stimulation; music, interruptions, TV, etc,..
Let them express their thoughts and feelings.
Understand that they may be irrational. Don’t judge them.
Don’t give advice. This will only stress them out further.
Let them take a break from some of their responsibilities
Encourage them to spend some time in nature, walking or reading a book.
Take a walk with them if they want company.
Encourage their less serious side, and let them relieve emotional tension by letting them cry through a sappy movie or novel of some sort.
Be forgiving if they’ve been overly harsh or critical while under stress. Chances are, they will feel very guilty about it.
What stresses out an ENFP:
Environments where rules are rigidly enforced
Focusing on repetitive, detailed tasks
Having to focus too much on sensory details
Having to focus too much on the past or present
Not being able to use their intuition
Constraints on brainstorming or envisioning
A lack of outside stimulation
Having creativity stifled
Having to complete projects before they’re ready
Having their values violated
Overextending themselves for others
ENFPs tend to overextend themselves, and procrastinate, which is often a source of stress as it complicates their lives. When they become stressed, their naturally charming natures become more irritable and over-sensitive. When stressed, ENFPs feel alienated and engage in deceptions to obscure what is occurring within themselves. They will feel that they are losing control over their own independent identities and feel conflicted by intruding circumstances. During continued stress, they may fall into the grip of their inferior function, introverted thinking. When this happens, they become obsessive and depressed. They will become hyper-aware of minor bodily sensations or abnormalities and interpret them as a sign of a serious illness. They may have a hard time communicating clearly, and feel numb and frozen inside. Their thinking may become cloudy and convoluted. They will feel that there are no possibilities or ways out. They may feel overwhelmed, out of control, unable to sort out priorities, and thus become inflexible. Some become obsessive about record keeping, cleaning, or other household tasks.
How to help an ENFP with stress:
Give them space and time alone to sort out their feelings.
Remind them that they are able and competent.
Give them permission to “escape”.
Don’t give them advice. It won’t help right now.
Don’t try to “fix” the problem.
Meditation often helps ENFPs.
Encourage them to exercise.
Encourage them to get enough sleep.
Encourage them to get a massage.
Be warm and kind in the way you speak to them.
After they’ve calmed down a little, ask them if they want help evaluating the situation.
What stresses out an INFP:
Rigidity in rules and timelines
Not enough time alone. Too much extraverting.
Too many demands on their time
A lack of authenticity from others
Having their creativity stifled
Having to focus too extensively on sensory/concrete details
Criticism or confrontation
Fear that they might lose someone or something (relationship/task, etc,..)
When under stress, an INFP gets lost in internal turmoil. They feel caught between pleasing others and maintaining their own integrity and taking care of their well-being. Their natural tendency to identify with others, compounded with their self-sacrificial tendencies, leaves them confused about who they really are. They feel lost and perplexed during stressful times; and as stress builds they can fall into the grip of their inferior function, extraverted thinking. When this happens, they will do things that are typically out of character. They may become obsessed with fixing perceived problems, and righting wrongs. They may blurt out hostile thoughts or engage in destructive fantasies directed at just about anyone available. They also may have biting sarcasm and cynicism. They may become aggressively critical to others and themselves, dwelling on all the “facts” necessary to support their overwhelming sense of failure.
How to help an INFP experiencing stress:
Give them space and time alone to sort out their feelings.
Remind them of their strengths.
Don’t give them advice. This will only make them feel worse.
Let them “get away” from it all.
Exercise can help. However, with these types it’s best not to suggest it when they are stressed, but after, as a solution.
Forgive them if they’ve been overly critical while stressed.
Let them work on a project they’ve been interested in, but maybe have been too busy to spend time on.