Can personality affect your health?

FROM careers to relationships, our characters shape our lives. And now research suggests that it could also influence whether we’re in the pink.

 

According to a recent study, our personality not only affects how we relate to life, the friends we have and what job we’re suited to, but also our health.

 

The study, conducted jointly by the University of Nottingham and the University of California in the US, looked at specific personality types including conscientious, extrovert, neurotic and agreeable. It suggested that some personalities could bebetter able to fight infection and illness, while others may be more prone to health issues such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis and diabetes.

It’s unclear how much of this is due to our genes or personality type influencing our lifestyle behaviour. But an understanding of how our personalities shape our health could help change our outcomes.

“While it’s difficult to change your personality, knowing how it affects your behaviour could help you to adopt a healthier lifestyle and influence your health for the better,” explains Ann Macaskill, professor of health psychology at Sheffield Hallam University.

So here’s our guide to your health personality and how to avoid the pitfalls…

Life and soul/extrovert

Personality protection: If you’re always out and about, you’re probably good at fighting infection, meaning you are less likely to catch colds and flu and tend to recover from infection and injuries quicker.

The research at the University of Nottingham studied two groups of genes active in white blood cells and found that the genes that trigger inflammation were 17 per cent more active in this personality type.

Risks: Late nights, drinking and potentially poor eating habits all take their toll on your health, leaving you at a greater risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. The very thing that makes you physically robust when younger – the genes that trigger inflammation – can affect the body’s long-term health. “Inflammation plays a role in chronic diseases due to an imbalance, too many pro-inflammatory chemicals and not enough anti-inflammatory ones,” says Moise Desvarieux, an epidemiologist at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.

Health tips: Schedule a few days off each week from going out, and eat a diet rich in green leafy veg, seeds and berries, known for their anti-inflammatory benefits. Also start working on building a reflective habit. “Take five minutes out of your day for mindful movement, such as walking in an outdoor space,” says nutritionist Charlotte Watts, author of The De-Stress Effect (£12.99). “It will be hard at first, but building this habit will help to rewire the brain to not always seek an overstimulating environment with all its attendant health risks.”

People pleaser/agreeable

Personality protection: If you frequently put others before yourself, avoid confrontation and accommodate others at all costs, you’re probably a people pleaser. You may not be very social or feel comfortable sharing your feelings and would rather spend a quiet night at home as opposed to going out with a group. On the plus side, health experts believe that the desire to please means that you are more likely to follow a doctor’s medical advice, which may protect you from some short-term illnesses.

Risks: Being eager to please others means that you have a tendency to be at risk of weight- and stress-related diseases, including obesity and diabetes. A 2012 study at Case Western Reserve University found that if a friend is having dessert, a pleaser will match the amount of food the friend eats so the friend won’t feel uncomfortable. And trying to please others means your own wellness takes a back seat and creates stress, leaving you at risk of cold and flu infections.

Health tips: Focus on a self-care routine, such as taking an Epsom salts bath three times per week, recommends Charlotte Watts. Epsom salts containing magnesium, which helps to boost the feel-good hormone serotonin to create calm and relaxation. Most of all, start saying no.

“The most positive effect on your health will come from learning to say no,” says Watts. “Say no to something once a week, without having to justify it, and it will gradually become easier so you free up time for yourself.”

 

Sensible/conscientious

Personality protection: Are you conscientious at work and in relationships? It turns out that this may not just bring you good karma but good health, too. A study of 1,000 people at America’s Duke University showed that people who were conscientious at 26 were in better health 12 years later compared to those who were less sensible. Among the least conscientious, 45 per cent developed multiple health problems by 38, compared to 18 per cent of the most conscientious group.

“These personalities tend to be better able to control their impulses and are more likely to follow healthy lifestyles,” says Ann Macaskill. This helps guard against health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity.

Risks: Digestive disorders and chronic disease such as cancers are all potential risks for this personality due to their high-achieving natures. “Conscientious personalities have been shown to have a tendency to ill health because they are high achievers and very focused on work, which can be toxic to health if care is not taken,” says Macaskill.

Health tips: Introduce meditation into your day, which studies have shown helps reduce levels of inflammatory genes. “Start with just five minutes a day, which will open the door to creating a new habit and healthy benefits,” recommends Ariana Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post website and author of Thrive (£8.99). “Also, turn off digital devices at night to help you to disconnect from work and regain perspective.” A Harvard University study also shows that eating foods rich in magnesium, such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and oily fish, can help cut the risk of obesity by up to 33 per cent and help combat the risks of digestive disorders.

Worrier/neurotic

Personality protection: If you’re a real worrier, this may not be as bad for your health as you might think. Research shows that there are two types: the healthy worrier and the obsessive.

Research by the University of Rochester Medical Center suggested that the first type are less at risk of chronic health conditions including stroke, asthma, arthritis and some forms of cancer. This is because they are more likely to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviour, exercise regularly and eat healthily.

Risks: Mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression and loneliness, are all linked to obsessive worriers, who can have a tendency to “self-medicate” with unhealthy lifestyle habits including drink, overeating and drug taking.

Health tips: Don’t try to pretend that you’re not a worrier, but work towards ensuring you don’t allow it to rule your life, advises Lee Crutchley, author of How To Be Happy (Or At Least Less Sad) (£8.99).

“Allocate a 20-minute period each day to be your ‘worry window’ and if you start worrying about anything outside this time, make a note to focus on it later,” he says. “It may sound silly but if you make a conscious and sustained effort to squeeze all of your worries into one window each day, you’ll see that it is liberating and prevents worry from ruling your life.”