4 types of stress languages, which one is yours?

The five love languages proposed by Dr Gary Chapman are often spoken about when it comes to relationships. The five love languages are namely, acts of service, words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, and receiving gifts. It is said that the love language one relates to the most shows how they like to give and receive love– and so, knowing your and your partner’s love language and positively impact your relationship.

How you handle stress can help improve your relationships

However, apart from knowing one’s love language, it is also important to know how one reacts to stressful situations when it comes to relationships, says mental fitness expert Maya Raichoora. Whether it is a trigger at work or one being frustrated with their partner, knowing how one reacts to such stressful situations can positively impact relationships. “A stress language is the way someone responds to/expresses stress. It’s different for everyone. Knowing this can help manage relationships, emotions and understanding of oneself,” Maya Raichoora said in an Instagram post. Read on to know the four types of stress languages, according to Maya Raichoora here. Which one is yours?

Fight

If you react in any of the following ways, then your stress language is ‘Fight’– as per Maya Raichoora:
– ‘you are wrong I am right’
– facing perceived threat more aggressively
– tend to have quite extreme physical reactions
– shouting/ arguing/ punching
– heart beats fast
– more explosive
– needing control

People who resonate with this type response tend to have pent-up anger and find it difficult to cool down quickly after a conflict. And so they should practice mindfulness, meditation, or therapy to balance their emotions well.

Freeze

People who have ‘Freeze’ as their stress language, resonate with the following responses the most, as per Maya Raichoora:
– ‘ummm’
– can’t speak/goes quiet
– wants to be alone
– can’t register advice or instructions
– dissociation
– difficulty making decisions

Such people tend to disassociate with the outside world in order to protect themselves from being hurt.

Fawn

People who have ‘Fawn’ as their stress language, resonate with the following responses the most, as per Maya Raichoora:
– wants to please people and overcome conflict asap
– says yes
– over apologises
– scared to say what they are thinking
– doesn’t want to be alone
– struggles to keep boundaries
– immediately acting to avoid conflict

This type of stress response makes people avoid their circumstances by pleasing other people, which is detremental to their own mental health. They struggle to stand up for themselves and end up being victimised. People who resonate with this kind of behaviour should prefer therapy or positive affirmations to rewire their self-concept.