Introverts are often seen as shy, introspective, or antisocial, but the
reality is more complicated than that—most people aren't fully
introverted or extraverted, and actually fall somewhere in between.
Whether you lean toward introversion or extraversion doesn't just affect
your social preferences, either; below are 15 ways it can also affect
your physical and mental health.
Social situations may stress you out
"Introverts can get overstimulated easily, so if there's a lot going on
around them, it can cause anxiety," says Laurie Helgoe, PhD, assistant
professor of psychology at Davis & Elkins College and author of
Introvert Power. Even just the pace of conversation can be demanding and
mentally draining, she adds. "When I'm talking to extraverts, sometimes
they're five thoughts ahead of me because I'm still processing the
first thing they're talking about."
Not all introverts hate big parties and networking events, but most tend
to prefer smaller gatherings with close friends. "It's a misnomer that
all introverts globally are stressed by social situations," Helgoe says.
"But I would say that it's not usually 'the more the merrier' for
us—it's usually 'the more, the more stressful.'" (The good news? If you
do have social anxiety, research shows that people probably like you
more than you think.)
| You may have less FOMO |
Introverts may be more immune to different kinds of social
stress—specifically, the pressure to make an appearance at every event
they're invited to, or the "fear of missing out" (also known as FOMO).
They don't feel the need to always be "on" with other people, and may
not be as insulted if they're not included in something.
"One strength of an introvert is the ability to somehow withstand some
of those pressures to be engaged all the time," says Helgoe. "We just
aren't as tempted by happy stimuli; our brains don't get revved up as
easily. Of course we can feel left out too, but somehow we're able to
shut it off a little more easily."
| Dating can be harder |
If you're an introvert looking for love, you may feel like the deck is
stacked against you. "We just don't put ourselves out there as much as
extraverts; and even when we do, we aren't as quick to make friends of
strangers," writes author Sophia Dumbing in her book "Introverts in
Love." But she argues that once introverts get past that hurdle, they
actually have some advantages over introverts—like the desire to make
deep one-on-one connections.
Helgoe agrees: "We are very selective; we aren't going to waste our time
in relationships that don't draw us in," she says. Online dating has
been a huge help for introverts, she adds, "because often we can skip
the small talk and start those conversations at a more real level. In a
way it's leveled the playing field."
| You may be less happy overall |
Not all introverts are depressed and not all depressed people are
introverts, but there is a connection. "There are certain
characteristics of introverts that line up with depression,"
says Helgoe. "We're reflective and we can get caught up in rumination.
We also tend to be more realistic: We look at the whole picture, rather
than just picking up on happy stimuli."
Research has shown that when people act extraverted or outgoing, they
tend to feel happier overall. In fact, says Helgoe, even introverts can
get a mood boost by acting like extraverts for short periods of time. "I
don't think the answer is always that introverts need to get out there
and socialize," she says, "but I do think we should be aware that
sometimes we are so protective of our comfort zones, we don't take
advantage of opportunities we might really enjoy."
| It may affect where you're happiest |
Introverts tend to prefer living in the mountains, which are seen as
calming and peaceful, while extraverts would rather live in open, flat
regions, like near the ocean, which they perceive as more sociable and
stimulating according, to a 2015 study by Shigehiro Oishi, PhD,
professor of psychology at the University of Virginia.
These types of preferences may affect where people will be happiest,
says Oishi, which could in turn have an affect on mental or even
physical health. That doesn't mean all introverts should move to the
mountains, he says. Instead, no matter where you live, seek out secluded
spaces where you feel comfortable, whether it's the library, a quiet
park, or even a special area in your house.
| Trendy fitness classes may not work for you |
CrossFit and boutique studio classes are so hot right now in part
because their workouts double as social events. But for introverts,
group classes may actually turn them off to exercising. In a 2011 study
on personality type and body weight, researchers noted that "lifestyle
and exercise interventions that are done in a group setting may be more
effective for extraverts than for introverts."
"The assumption is that we're all extraverts and we will all benefit
from the same activities, and that can really mess up our game as
introverts," says Helgoe. "I've learned that it's easier for me to stay
committed to my own running, which gives me time to myself in my own
space. (Introverts can still benefit from someone holding them
accountable, she adds, so it can help to ask a friend to keep tabs on
your progress.)
| You form strong friendships |
You may not have as many friends as someone who's very extraverted, but
that's because you value quality over quantity. "Introverts have some
qualities that are conducive to intimacy," says Helgoe. "We can tolerate
silence and pauses, and allow time for a conversation to deepen. We're
less likely to engage in small talk, but that's not because we don't
like people—it's because we don't like the barrier it creates to sharing
real thoughts and ideas."
Some introverts do have trouble bonding with anyone at all, and may
truly be isolated—a risk factor for health problems and even a shorter
lifespan. But you don't need a huge social network to ward off
loneliness, say experts; a few good friends who are always there for you
can be enough to keep you happy and healthy.
| It could impair your immunity |
Extraverts may have stronger immune systems than introverts, according
to a 2014 joint study from the University of Nottingham and the
University of California, Los Angeles. Extraverts tended to have
increased expression of pro-inflammatory genes associated with the
body's immune response, while people who scored high in
"conscientiousness" had reduced expression of these genes. In other
words, extraverts appear to have immune systems that can deal
effectively with infection—perhaps because their socially oriented
nature exposes them to more germs overall. Oishi says that introverts'
immunity may also be hampered because they tend to feel positive
emotions less frequently than extraverts. But whatever the reason, he
adds, the effect of personality on immunity is likely pretty small.
| Your brain is wired differently |
Introverts tend to have larger and thicker gray matter in the area of
the brain responsible for abstract thought and decision making,
according to a 2012 Harvard University study. This could explain why
they are more likely than extraverts to ponder over things for longer,
rather than making impulsive decisions and living in the moment.
Previous research has also suggested that introverts have higher levels
of "cortical arousal," which means they respond stronger to outside
stimuli like sights and sounds. Experts think this may be why they
become overwhelmed in loud or crowded environments—and why extraverts
may seek out those same situations to raise their own arousal levels.
| You may handle sleep deprivation better |
Introverts may be better at pulling all-nighters than extraverts,
according to a 2010 study on the effects of sleep deprivation from the
Walter Reed Army Institute. After being kept awake for 36
hours—including 12 hours of social interaction—extraverts tended to have
lower scores on tests for alertness and reaction times than introverts.
Social stimulation can be exhausting for regions of the brain that deal
with attention and wakefulness, and so it increases the need for sleep.
But introverts seem to have some resistance to that need, the authors
concluded, perhaps because they have higher cortical arousal. In other
words, those brain regions are more active in the first place, so
they're not tired out as easily.
| You may not be much of a risk-taker |
Brain differences may also help explain why introverts are less likely
to engage in risky behavior. Research has shown that extraverts' brains
light up more when gambling, for example, and that extraverted children
tend to overeat more than their introverted peers.
"Introverts are, on average, less risk-taking than extraverts," says
Oishi—a quality he says can protect against potentially harmful
behavior. Helgoe agrees: "Extraverts are more prone to impulse-related
distress," she says. "They tend to have more externalizing disorders,
while introverts tend to internalize things."
| It could affect your driving |
When horns and sirens start blaring, introverts may have trouble behind
the wheel, according to a 2015 Iranian study. Researchers tested
reaction times in various traffic situations, and although reaction
times slowed for both introverts and extroverts when noise was
introduced, it was quite a bit worse for introverts.
Oishi says he's not surprised by these findings. "Introverts tend to
like a quiet place, so it could be a familiarity issue here," he says.
"Extraverts are more used to being in a noisy place, and therefore [may
be] less affected by noise."
| You may be skipping important conversations with your doctor |
When you're worried about something going on with your body, do you ask
your doctor about it? Introverts may be less likely to bring up
questions or problems, says Helgoe, which may lead to health problems
that could have been prevented. "Doctor's visits today are so quick, you
really have to be very assertive if you want to voice your concerns,"
she says. "Under that kind of pressure, it can be very hard for
introverts to volunteer information."
Helgoe recommends that introverts prepare by writing down questions and
concerns before medical appointments. "If you bring in a list, your
doctor will pay attention and make sure everything on your list is
answered—and you'll be less likely to panic or forget what you wanted to
ask," she says.
| It can affect your self-worth |
It's true that introversion can be associated with depression, but
that's not always the case. Sometimes, though, introverts can be labeled
as unhappy simply because they don't express their joy outwardly, says
Helgoe. This isn't just an unfortunate misunderstanding, she says; it
can sometimes become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
"When studies define happiness, they don't usually include feelings like
tranquility, peacefulness, and calm," she says. "If introverts are
reflective or nostalgic or melancholy, society labels us as depressed or
aloof. Then we think there's something wrong with us, and we start
feeling depressed."
| It's perfectly healthy...if you embrace it |
The most important thing introverts need to know, says Helgoe, is that
there's nothing wrong with them. "When people recognize that
introversion is not an impairment, they become much happier and are able
to accept themselves for who they really are," she says.
Embracing your introverted side also means you can start to make better
decisions about your lifestyle, your career, and your friendships, she
says. (For example, Helgoe realized that seeing patients all day was
exhausting her energy, but that she loves writing and public speaking.)
"I encourage introverts to look at what their happy means, instead of
trying to judge themselves against some society image or some sitcom
image of what your life should be like," she says.
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