Introvert Life

“An introvert’s desire for solitude is more than just a preference. It is crucial to our health and happiness.” – Michaela Chung

The best quote I’ve seen to describe being an introvert. Emphasis on crucial.

I get overwhelmed very easily and always need time to myself to recharge.

Today I learned that psychological explanation for introversion:

The way that your body responds to the outside environment plays a critical role in determining your level of extroversion and introversion.

On a physiological level, a network of neurons located in the brainstem known as the reticular activating system (RAS) is responsible for regulating arousal levels including wakefulness and transitions between sleeping and waking.

The RAS also plays a role in controlling how much information you take in while you are awake. When confronted by potential threats in the environment, the RAS will increase your arousal levels in order for you to be alert and ready to deal with the danger. Each person has a basic set point in terms of arousal level. Some people tend to naturally have a much higher set point, while others have a much lower set point.

The psychologist Hans Eysenck suggested that these arousal levels could be thought of as a continuum. According to his arousal theory of extroversion:

• 15 percent of people have a minimal set point, meaning they naturally have low arousal levels
• 15 percent of people have a high set point, meaning they naturally tend to be more aroused
• 70 percent of people lie somewhere in the middle of the continuum

According to Eysenck’s theory, introverts are those that have naturally high levels of arousal. Because introverts tend to experience chronically high arousal levels, they tend to seek activities and environments where they can escape from overstimulation. Because of their naturally high arousal levels, they are more alert and take in more information from the environment. Escaping somewhere to have time alone to recharge gives them the opportunity to process and reflect on what they have learned.

Source: https://www.verywellmind.com/signs-you-are-an-introvert-2795427

Don’t feel bad for being introverted! It’s more of a strength than a weakness!