Ever wondered what your personality type is and how it relates to others’ personalities in your life? The Enneagram test was designed to answer these questions and more. It describes nine unique personality types and graphs them on a nine-pointed diagram that shows how the types relate to one another.
If you’re a believer in the Enneagram, you probably already know which of the nine numbers resonates most with you. But what you may not know is that you can use your Enneagram type to guide your decisions, including the best ways to take care of yourself. Discover your Enneagram type and your suited self-care strategies below.
Type One: The Reformer
Perfectionistic and disciplined, Enneagram Type Ones are conscientious and hardworking, with a strong sense of right and wrong. If you are an Enneagram Type One, you probably feel like you have a “purpose” in life that you need to work toward fulfilling. However, it’s important not to let those lofty ideals prevent you from acknowledging and addressing your emotions. Keeping a journal is a great form of self-care for Type Ones because they tend to become more comfortable with their emotional reality through introspection.
Type Two: The Helper
If you are an Enneagram Type Two, you’re likely a “people person” who is warmhearted and empathetic. However, in times of stress, you may become a people pleaser who focuses on meeting others’ needs before your own. Type Twos find meaning through generosity, but it’s important to extend the same generosity toward yourself that you show others. Because Type Twos are natural caretakers and homemakers, their perfect self-care activities may include cooking, baking, or redecorating their space.
Type Three: The Achiever
Enneagram Type Threes are ambitious and self-assured. At their best, they are natural leaders who inspire others. At their worst, they are competitive workaholics who may at times be overly concerned with what others think of them. When Enneagram Type Threes are healthy, they can achieve great things — but they cannot do so if they neglect taking care of themselves. As an Enneagram Type Three, make time to take breaks and recharge your batteries by doing what relaxes you. Whether that’s taking a bath, meditating, or reading a book, you’ll feel better and achieve more if you make time for self-care.
Type Four: The Individualist
Sensitive and vulnerable, Type Fours are incredibly self-aware and can be authentic, creative, and honest. As a Four, you probably see yourself as uniquely talented but also inherently flawed. Type Fours need time to recharge their batteries to understand that they are worthy, capable, and deserving of love. When it comes to self-care, Type Fours struggle with discipline and may be tempted to neglect their basic needs, such as food, sleep, and exercise. Fight this urge and take care of your body to help your creative impulses flourish.
Type Five: The Investigator
Enneagram Type Fives have active minds that require constant stimulation. While they are inventive and intellectual, a Type Five may also find themselves prone to isolation and getting lost in their thoughts. Grounding is an important form of self-care for Type Fives, who may struggle to stay connected with the present moment and form meaningful relationships with others. Practicing mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or yoga, can help you gain control over your daydreaming and stay connected with the “real world” and the loved ones who are a part of it.
Type Six: The Loyalist
Loyal to their friends and beliefs, the Enneagram Type Six has a fundamental need for support and belonging that motivates their every move. At their best, Type Sixes are hardworking and responsible, but they are also the most anxiety-prone of the Enneagram types. Sixes frequently struggle with self-doubt and overreaction, especially when they are stressed. It’s important to get ahead of your anxiety as a Type Six to prevent these negative responses. Exercise, mindfulness, and even psychotherapy, which all work to combat anxiety, can be effective forms of self-care for Type Sixes.
Type Seven: The Enthusiast
Busy social butterflies, Type Sevens, are playful, extraverted, and spontaneous. While their optimism and enthusiasm are strengths, they often over-extend themselves with their many interests, hobbies, and talents. As a result, Enneagram Type Sevens easily become disorganized and scatterbrained. Their impulsive nature makes them tempted by the promise of instant gratification. Try to fight these urges in your self-care. Instead of spending your money on the latest self-care trend, like acaí bowls or Korean skincare, save for a restorative vacation or other meaningful experiences that will enrich your life with the fun memories you crave.
Type Eight: The Challenger
Excited about taking on new challenges, Enneagram Type Eights are strong, confident, and assertive. But, while they approach problems with a sense of enthusiasm and creativity, they often struggle with a need for control and are prone to becoming domineering and aggressive in times of stress. As an Eight, you are probably tempted to rely on no one but yourself. So, the most effective self-care for Eights can often come in the form of delegation and accepting help from others. Practice saying yes the next time someone offers you their time or resources, and use the time or resources you saved to treat yourself to something special instead.
Type Nine: The Peacemaker
Easygoing Type Nines are stable, accepting, and get along well with (almost) everyone. They are called The Peacemaker because their greatest strength is their ability to mediate conflict and bring people together in healing. Yet while their agreeable nature makes them likable, the Enneagram Type Nine may be tempted to go along with the crowd or neglect their own needs to avoid sparking a disagreement. Like Type Fours, they may frequently ignore basic urges to eat or sleep to serve others. The best form of self-care for Fours is anything that fosters a greater awareness of these bodily needs, such as mindfulness, exercise, nutrition and sleep.
I am a type two I do natural take care of people before myself have always done that. I am learning how start take care myself has much has do others. thank for the information.