What does it mean to be an introvert? Simply defined: Extroverts get their energy from being around people and find being alone draining. Introverts get their energy from being alone and find being around people draining.
Introverts are people who get their energy from spending time alone, according to Dr. Jennifer Kahnweiler, author of The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength.
Introverts rely on alone time to recharge their social batteries, self-reflect, and process the experiences they have with others. Without proper amounts of alone time, introverts can begin to experience irritability, fatigue, poor sleep, and trouble concentrating.
Introverts may enjoy spending time alone in part because of acetylcholine. According to Laney, this chemical may produce a happy feeling for introverts when they do an activity that focuses them inward, such as quietly reflecting or enjoying a hobby like reading, painting, or gaming.
Introverts draw their energy from within, from the self, from quiet time alone and tend to direct their energy into inward reflection. Extraverts are stimulated by, and draw energy from people, and things outside themselves and tend to direct their energy outward in action.
Introverts tend to draw energy from going inwards and being on our own whereas as extroverts tend to draw energy from things that are external to their mind. That is why overly stimulating environments can be energy draining for introverts, leaving us feeling tired, lacking in energy and even stressed.
If an introvert guy likes you, you'll see him do things like opening the door for you, trying to make you laugh, or being quick to help you with something you are struggling with. If an introvert girl likes you, she'll step out of her comfort zone more often.
An introvert hangover, also called introvert burnout, occurs when an introvert has spent too much time interacting with others and they feel exhausted and drained. Many people don't realize that introverts can be very outgoing and enjoy social interactions.
How much alone time does an introvert need? The average amount of alone time needed by an introvert to experience a high sense of well-being is 5-6 hours daily. 68 percent of people( including extroverts) report having gotten (on average) only 3 hours of rest the previous day.
Introverts tend to gain energy from their inner world more than their outer world. They may enjoy social interactions, but they tend to thrive in smaller groups and one-on-one conversations. This allows them to engage more deeply in conversations and expend less energy.
Being alone gives us time to think and do tasks without needing to worry about others' needs. Introverts love to spend time alone to recharge and think. They are authentic and know what they want most of the time. They are not without friends; they just like to have more time alone than other people do.
When Introverts become angry, they tend to hold everything inside, hiding their anger from others and even from themselves. Or at least this is what most people think. In fact, this idea is more myth than reality. When Introverts become angry, they may try to repress their feelings.
Introverted leaders are more accepting
And they're more likely to accept those differences and work with people, rather than continue to state how they'd prefer to get work done. They are more likely to understand someone and understand how to get that person to feel included as a member of the team.
“Introverts and extroverts are attracted to each other because of the differences,” says Ross. And, in some ways, this can work really well, like when the more introverted person feels like they need more social appointments on their calendar, or when the extroverted person is feeling overwhelmed by their commitments.
Introverts don't lack energy, they just spend it differently than extroverts do. If you have introverts in your life, it can be difficult to understand why they sometimes present themselves with little energy. Though they may have started the night with a great attitude, suddenly, they had a complete mood switch.
For an introvert, maintaining a friendship is like exercising. It never quite loses that feeling of “work,” but as long as one doesn't put it off too long, it doesn't have to be a chore, either. And just like a good exercise regimen, maintaining a friendship doesn't have to consume your life.
Introverts are looked down upon for lack of good 'communication skills'. Right from an early age, introverts have to compete very hard with peers, who seem to have no problem in public or interpersonal speaking. What seems to be effortless for peers is actually the most difficult task for an introverted child.
The key thing to remember is that after a long day of social activity, an introvert will probably want to retreat to a quiet place to think, reflect, and recharge. If having a few hours to be alone sounds like your idea of a good time, you just might be an introvert.
Signs that you may be experiencing introvert burnout include physical exhaustion, irritability, anxiety, and loss of expressiveness; however, you could experience a range of other symptoms to varying degrees.
An introvert is a person with qualities of a personality type known as introversion, which means that they feel more comfortable focusing on their inner thoughts and ideas, rather than what's happening externally. They enjoy spending time with just one or two people, rather than large groups or crowds.
Time alone, time to prepare for social situations, and following a plan are all ways an introvert deals with stress. In contrast, extroverts may find too much alone time stressful because they can't talk through their thoughts and feelings, which is how they process and manage stress.
Enjoy with Them in Silence -
If you want to feel comfortable with introverts, do it with silence. Enjoy with them by just playing a few songs and maybe dancing with them. Greet them with a smile and a gentle hug. It will make them feel comfortable with you, and they will open up in some time.
Introverts are generally more attuned to expressing love in nonverbal ways and don't tolerate sentimentality. They also need more time to express their affection, so patience is very important at the beginning of the relationship.