The INFJ personality type is often referred to as the Advocate or Counselor.
INFJs have deep empathy for others but can often have difficulty understanding themselves.
They tend to work harder for the common good, but this can sometimes come at a personal
cost.
There are many more INFJs that suffer from stress and anxiety than the general population.
INFJs make up less than 3% of the population, so it is a worrying statistic.
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension.
A recent Israeli study found a close link between people with higher levels of empathy,
like INFJs, and those with higher levels of stress and anxiety.
So, does this explain it, and what triggers these uncomfortable feelings?
Well, let’s explore with 5 of the Biggest Triggers for INFJ Stress (and how to deal
with it).
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below.
Overstimulating Surroundings Can Trigger INFJ Stress
Environments with large amounts of people, loud sounds, and consistent disruptions are
not ideal for most INFJs.
As people with core external feeling functions, they are predisposed to be extremely vulnerable
to their surroundings.
Most INFJs are also highly sensitive people (also known as HSPs).
Their nervous system tends to be more easily stimulated than is common.
Being in noisy and chaotic environments for extended periods of time is therefore bound
to invoke uncomfortable feelings.
INFJs usually try to proliferate themselves into responding to everything, and in doing
so, it usually ends up overwhelming them.
INFJs in this situation need to regain equilibrium.
They can do this by ensuring they get regular periods in more quiet environments where they
can have solitude.
They need to have times to disengage from their social interactions and the accompanying
feelings and emotions they pick up from others.
They need to reconnect back with themselves by reading, meditating, or exercising alone,
perhaps by going for a hike, as nature is a proven natural stress reliever.
Too Many Details Can Trigger INFJ Stress
INFJs most dominant cognitive function is introverted intuition.
As a result, they tend to have more focus for the bigger picture.
They prefer the world of concepts and ideas which does make them incredibly creative people.
Unfortunately, though, this preference for the abstract often means they can miss out
on the obvious realities in front of them.
An INFJs least developed function is introverted sensing, the function responsible for deciphering
details.
Their brains are literally not wired to focus on immediate sensory information and being
forced to can provoke a stress reaction.
Most INFJs are not great at multitasking as a result.
They tend to hyper-focus on one thing to try and get it just right, leaving everything
else to fall by the waste side.
For example, they can miss exits on highways, if they start talking with a passenger.
They will struggle with holding a conversation whilst simultaneously perusing a menu at a
restaurant.
It can even take a lot of devoted focus for them to simply reply to a text.
This is because their weaker sensing function is being overstimulated.
Unfortunately for most INFJs, it is only in the removal of the sensory stimulation that
they will find relief.
It is therefore important for INFJs to learn to recognize the signs of overstimulation
and take steps to mitigate them.
For example, switching off relentless phone notifications, dimming bright lights where
they can, choosing quieter work environments, and ensuring they schedule regular breaks
away from their sensory triggers.
Conflicts in Relationships Can Trigger INFJ Stress
INFJs are harmonious beings who tend to always choose the path of least resistance.
As a result most INFJs often struggle when faced with conflict in their lives, and particularly
when it comes to their closest relationships.
They tend to be more vulnerable to hurt feelings than most.
For example; when a loved one is strongly opposed to an opinion they hold dear, it can
make them feel extremely misunderstood.
In fact, some INFJs can take it so personally, it will make them question their very authenticity
and values.
Their habit of absorbing other people's thoughts and feeling as their own can also add to their
immense sense of personal discomfort.
However, in most cases, INFJs are willing to forgo their own comfort level for the sake
of keeping the peace.
This usually results in minor irritation, such as; agreeing to go to a restaurant they’re
not a fan of, just because their partner wants to go.
But all INFJs have a line (usually an invisible one) that once crossed will result in cataclysmic
stress levels, and the ensuing anger can be so intense it is likely to catch everyone
(including the INFJ) completely off guard.
An angry INFJ is truly something to behold.
INFJs can prevent reaching their limit with people and reacting badly in seemingly out
of the blue ways, by learning to air their grievances more regularly.
Most INFJs will benefit from taking alone time away from conflict situations in order
to understand their own feelings without distortion.
After this, talking through them with someone else they trust can greatly help them gain
more clarity and perspective in developing a way forward.
Controlling Environments Can Trigger INFJ Stress
As creative people, INFJs work best in environments that allow them flexibility to think independently.
As perfectionists, they tend to have very high standards and so they need this freedom
to be able to accomplish their goals
Overly controlled and structured work environments can therefore be incredibly stressful for
most INFJs.
They also don’t fare well in inefficient teams that lack clear objectives as it represses
their ability to feel accomplished.
When in these stressful work environments, INFJs can easily become overwhelmed, hyper-focusing
on everything they see as wrong.
They will try to micromanage their colleagues, often nit-picking at others work in order
to make it better.
They can overwork themselves, taking on more and more tasks in the name of efficiency.
INFJs tend to see these environments as a house of cards that they continuously have
to reinforce in order to stop it from collapsing.
The majority of their stress in these environments, therefore, comes from a self-imposed responsibility
for everything around them.
INFJs in these situations must limit their distractions in order to work better.
They need to find or create quieter environments for themselves.
Somewhere there are rules for how they deliver their work and how much people can interrupt
them.
Intense or Chronic Stress Can Trigger INFJ Grip Stress
INFJs like all human beings experience varying degrees of stress in their lives, and for
the most part, it is manageable.
However, INFJs in some cases experience a more intense state of stress that causes stronger,
more uncharacteristic reactions.
This is known as INFJ Grip Stress, and it can be triggered by a sudden or extreme situation
or just from a chronic build-up of everyday worries and fears.
INFJ can fall into a “grip” when their inferior function, Extroverted Sensing (Se)
gets away from them.
This causes an INFJ to be caught in a seemingly endless loop of despair, frustration, and
anger they can’t seem to get out of.
INFJ grip stress manifests in a number of ways.
For some it means overeating, others it's excessive shopping or cleaning or even bungee
jumping off a cliff.
Generally though, grip stress can make an INFJ lose their characteristic long-range
focus and empathetic nature.
Instead replacing it with a more unhealthy need for indulgence and sensory pleasure.
INFJs in this state can become very reckless and impulsive, often having little care for
themselves and others.
When an INFJ is caught in this loop, it can be incredibly hard to be self-aware and acknowledge
they are under extreme stress.
Unfortunately, manifestations of grip stress can vary in all INFJs, so every INFJ needs
to understand their own unique reactions to it.
Only then can they develop strategies to cope, but again that will also vary.
Some INFJs will need complete seclusion from the sensory world for a time.
Some will need to sweat it out by hitting the gym.
Others will benefit from going for a drive with their favorite playlist.
Stress can bring out many INFJ negative traits and emotions such as rage and anxiety.
INFJs usually attach their sense of self to their visions and peace.
Without them, they can feel lost and restless.
If you are an INFJ who feels lost in a whirlwind of worry, anxiety, or grip stress, know that
you’re not alone.
Stress is just our mind’s natural way of coping with overwhelm, and it can be managed.
You need to first recognize your own unique stress triggers and try to limit them where
you can.
You also need to find healthy outlets for your stress in order to avoid falling into
bad habits you’ll end up regretting later.