“What to do if you’re a type A?” is probably one of the first questions that popped into your mind after knowing your personality type.
Well, let’s clarify one thing first. The world highlights the negative traits of Type As excessively… and makes Type As believe that their personality is flawed.
However, everyone is flawed despite their personality!
So, stop thinking that you’ll fix yourself. Rather, consider yourself a perfect person with natural flaws. Aim to lead a better life and this journey will be much more enjoyable.
C’mon, let’s set off on this journey here…
What To Do If You’re a Type A? – 25 steps
If you have a Type A personality, you’re probably aware of the pros and cons of being one. Your personality and desire to achieve your goals might make you prone to lots of diseases, social isolation, and so on… to the point that you wish you had a type B personality.
But first, accept that you’re perfect the way you are. You only need some touch-ups to lead a healthier life. With that belief in mind, let’s follow these…
1. Know your stress triggers
Type As have many probable fears and dislikes. However, everyone doesn’t get triggered by every single one of them. Otherwise, all type As would have been identical trigger-wise. However, every human being is unique due to their experiences since childhood.
So, you may not get stressed or worried by the same thing as another type A might. That’s why you must identify your triggers ASAP, even if the signs aren’t as strong.
If you let them be, the triggers and the responses might go out of hand and frustrate you beyond imagination. Then it’ll be hard to find a solution that fast.
2. Give yourself a break
While at work, when you face stressful situations, make sure to take a breather from time to time. If you work at a desk, get up every hour for 10 minutes, stretch your body, enjoy a beverage, and take fresh air. This will help you refresh your mind before your return to work.
Stress is one of the main triggers of Type A behavior patterns (TABP). However, you will experience stress as long as you’re alive. Since you can’t avoid it, try to diminish that in any way.
3. Exercise, daily!
Every day practice blood-pumping and heart rate-raising exercises for 15-20 minutes. It can be jogging, biking, or any cardio exercise. This can help reduce your stress levels and enhance your mood. Exercise releases endorphins which makes you feel good.
If you don’t have enough time, then set off to work early and walk or ride a bicycle to work. It’ll boost your energy, work as a mood enhancer, and also save you from rush hour traffic. You’ll be saved from the stress of being stuck in traffic.
4. Take time for self-care
At the end of the day, due to the higher levels of stress and anxiety, you hop on the bed after dinner… hoping that it’ll help you recharge for the next day. But that’s not enough… so, take this chance to switch your routine.
After returning home, massage the body cleanser during the shower, eat healthy and organic, take your time with skincare, stretch your muscles before bed, and go to bed. Make sure you don’t check your phone for too long before bed.
5. Embrace relaxation methods
Practice yoga to beat anxiety and enhance your mindfulness. Meditation can also help deal with chronic pain, increased stress, and anxiety. It enhances your mood and increases energy levels.
Try out breathing exercises when you start losing your cool. Or, slowly count backward from 100 to 0. All of these lower your heartbeat rate and decrease high blood pressure which calms you faster.
6. Shuffle your professional life goals
People with Type A personality traits usually only focus on the end result of their professional tasks. This causes a lot of stress. If you’re the same, then shift your focus from the end to the entire process. Try to enjoy every step of the task.
On the other hand, if your job demands high productivity, that can also cause health problems. In this case, ask your superior to diminish the workload so that you can easily meet the expectations.
7. Change the thinking style
People with A-type personalities often fear they’ll miss deadlines when they’re stressed. They feel an unnatural sense of urgency even when a coworker takes more time to finish their work.
When they make mistakes, they sulk over them for a long time. They immerse themselves in negative self-talk.
Get rid of this habit and focus on whether you did a good job or not. Think about whether you did your best or not. Don’t try to be better than the best.
8. Journal for your own solutions
In your journal, note down how many times you lost your temper, overreacted or became frustrated daily. Along with that, write down the reasons and your feelings about it. This can help you understand the main reason behind your actions and behavior.
Take your time to find probable solutions to the burst of reactions. Journaling can also reduce your hostile feelings towards the other person and help you figure out better solutions.
9. Challenge your fears head-on
So, if you hate waiting in line, then purposely take the long queues. If you hate traffic, take the longer and more congested route. If you hate small talk because you feel it’s a waste of time, try to be polite during the conversation.
These practices will help you understand that it’s not that bad. It doesn’t harm your productivity and doesn’t make you lose a lot of time. You’ll eventually get used to these and get over the fears.
10. Have fun with the frustrating bits
Taking the tougher choice is easier said than done. So, while you make the more frustrating choices, you might wonder how you’ll cope with them. Well, you can make a game out of it.
Challenge yourself every time and if you can successfully complete it, then treat yourself to a favorite food. Promise yourself something you truly look forward to.
Or, you can try people-watching while you wait in line or in traffic. You’ll be amazed to see how fast time passes.
11. Adopt a pet and spend time with them
If you like pets and your apartment complex allows it, get yourself one. If you already have pets, play with them. If you can’t have pets over, visit a pet shelter or pet café and snuggle up. Play Frisbee or take them on a walk. This can put in added minutes of exercise.
The love from a pet can also help you calm down as cuddling releases endorphins which help you calm down and feel better.
If you can’t, you can even visit the zoo or aquarium for similar effects.
12. Create your own garden
If you have a backyard, get ready with your shovel and seeds. The soil, sunshine, water, and walking barefoot on grass have many health benefits.
If not, create an indoor garden. Touch the soil and connect with nature. It’ll work like a good stress-relief mechanism. It’ll teach you patience as you wait for the seeds to germinate and the saplings to grow. You’ll soon be able to watch the world from a new perspective.
13. Change your diet
Stress impacts your body in multiple ways. It increases heartbeat, you get high levels of cholesterol, you might suffer from cardiovascular disease, pain, and so much more.
However, you can tackle the physiological effects of stress with a balanced diet. Make sure to have a healthy and balanced dose of Vitamin C, Magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids for this. Moreover, take it from a natural food source and not gummies as you might overdose on them.
14. Change your definition of “success”
Perfectionists always chase unrealistic results. They want to score 100/100 in school, get the best job in town, and lead the best luxurious life ASAP. However, these only pressurize and stress you.
So, think about the moment. Don’t try to get the best out of everything… instead, reach out for the best for yourself.
Instead of 100, try to score 5-10 more than last time. Instead of the best job, get a suitable and well-paid job. Your necessities define your success.
15. Think deeply when you’re disappointed
Every time you lose, you drown yourself in self-criticism. But that never helps you grow into a better person. Instead, that hurts both your mental and physical health.
Take responsibility for your fault, but also consider the things that weren’t in your control.
Suppose, a group project failed but you gave it your all. Accept that it’s not all your fault. If you can’t reach the deadlines because of a system error or power cut, stop blaming yourself.
16. Get rid of unrealistic expectations
Stop expecting only the best from yourself. You’re a human being. You can’t give your best all the time. Lower your expectations. Make smaller, achievable goals instead of a single huge leap.
Take time if needed and enjoy the journey. It’s not like you’ll miss everything if you don’t dive into the deep ocean from the beginning. Learn to swim first before you chase the bigger dreams. Otherwise, you’ll hurt yourself with more disappointments.
17. Work on your communication
When you expect a lot from your family, friends, and coworkers, you’ll be disappointed. Even if you try to calm yourself, sometimes you just can’t take it and must say something.
So, whenever you’re about to lose a fuse, mindfully change your tone and frame the negative sentences into positive ones without altering the meaning.
Control your sarcasm and anger and turn yourself approachable to others. Your communication style will become welcoming and reduce the chances of social isolation
18. Get rid of people pleasing attitude
You might say that type As aren’t people pleasers. However, they do it subconsciously and have yet to notice it. After all, they take up more tasks to be recognized as a hard and diligent worker in their professional field.
From now on, stop trying to be a better employee or student. It’s okay if you’d only do as much as you’re needed to. Even if you don’t overwork yourself, your hard work will help you reach the top.
19. Get off the clock on time
Working late hours gives you dark circles, disrupts your sleep cycle, and depresses your family members. You might say it helps your company realize your worth and increases the chance of a promotion. But how do you feel at the end of the day?
You don’t get to spend an hour with your loved ones and always retire to bed early yet wake up tired. Stop ruining your health and loved ones’ mood and get home on time.
20. Spend time with your family
Your loved ones crave to spend time with you once you return. So, don’t just return early and hole yourself up in the room until dinner. Talk with everyone, enjoy your time together, and bond while doing activities together like cooking and watching shows.
Take your partner out on dates, treat your parents to your own cooking, and help your kids study. All of it will remind you of the true meaning of life and earning a living.
21. Don’t refuse to socialize
If you get invited to parties, stop turning them down. If you set off from your work on time, you won’t feel tired from attending parties. This is the best way to let loose and enjoy your time.
It will help you forget about your worries for a moment and reconnect with life. Moreover, during tough times, your friends will support you. So, don’t take them for granted and maintain a healthy connection with them.
22. Go on regular checkups
While you try to achieve your goals, you undergo extreme stress, anxiety, and depression. Mental health issues also lead to physical health problems like coronary heart disease.
People with type A personality traits are also prone to heart diseases due to poor stress management skills. So, get yourself at least annually checked for serious health concerns.
This can help you nip any major issue in the bud.
23. Believe that you do enough
Often you feel that what you do isn’t enough to get your higher-ups’ approval or succeed professionally. Whenever you feel guilty about refusing excess load, verbally remind yourself “What I did is enough”.
Initially, you might even feel weird about getting off from work on time. Send yourself scheduled messages “Wrap up and get home… you did enough for today”. Add similar sticky notes on your desk and your washroom at home.
24. Force the change on yourself
When you face stressful situations in real-time, these tips might fly out of your head and you’ll be back to square one worrying and stressing over the situation. But things won’t change if you continue to forget to implement the steps.
Instead, mindfully practice them. Set up timers to take breaks, get off work, and eat timely. Leave yourself positive messages about yourself and about acting calm around others in your workplace.
25. Seek a therapist
If nothing works out, your last option is to seek a licensed and trained mental health professional. Don’t be ashamed to seek what you need. Try to stay transparent and honest with them to find the roots and effective coping mechanisms faster.
The therapist will try their best to find your solution. However, you must stay dedicated to the process. Believe in the process… because disbelief can lead to failed attempts. Have faith that you’ll soon find the solutions.
A word from ThePleasantPersonality
Though the steps look simple and short, they aren’t easy to implement. So, don’t delay the process and start your journey for a better life as a Type A right now.
If you procrastinate this any longer, you might already worsen your health and relationships by then. So, don’t trap yourself with the “It’s okay if I start tomorrow” charade.
Remember, if you make these necessary changes in yourself, you’ll also enhance your personal life. This will be the ultimate mood booster and give you a reason to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So, grab your ticket to happiness right now!
Article Sources
1. https://www.verywellmind.com/type-a-personality-traits-3145240
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-a-type-a-personality
3. https://www.thecut.com/article/ways-to-manage-type-a-personality.html
4. https://rendia.com/resources/insights/managing-type-a-personality/
