Five Types of Stress
When you get stressed, how does your body react? Do you get headaches and muscle tension? Maybe you get anxious and overheat. Or do you have eczema or an autoimmune condition that flares? The way you respond to stress says a lot about you. And Chinese medicine sees these patterns. It not only helps us to see and understand ourselves better, but these patterns give us specific, personalized treatments and lifestyle changes we can make that are individualized to us. Not everyone reacts the same way to stress, and in the same vein, not everyone should use the same treatments to deal with it.
If you’re not sure of your type, first click the button below to take the quiz. Then come back and read more about your type.
Wood
Wood types are driven and hardworking. They prefer to stay busy and productive. When balanced they are powerhouses and great leaders. But when stressed they get angry, and irritable. They may struggle with headaches, neck and shoulder pain, TMJ or teeth grinding. Alcohol and intense workouts are their vices.
Fire
Fire people are creative and charming. They love being social and expressing themselves. When balanced they make amazing artists and performers. But they tend towards anxiety, rashes, acne and overheating. Late nights doom scrolling on social media is their downfall.
Earth
Earth folks are caring and thoughtful. They live for taking care of others, whether that’s family, friends, animals, or plants. But if they don’t take care of themselves they end up worrying and overthinking, which leads to digestive distress and muscle aches. Food, especially sweets, is what they use to cope.
Metal
Metal types are focused and perfectionistic. They pick up on small details that others miss, and are very sensitive to the environment. When stressed and tired they may get sad and weepy. This leads to a dysregulated immune system, and makes them susceptible to colds or flare ups of chronic illness.
Water
Water people are philosophical, and march to the beat of their own drummer. They need lots of alone time to process their thoughts and experiences. When they push too hard they end up exhausted, with brain fog, back or knee pain, or hair loss. When unbalanced they crave sleep and salty foods.
