This can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Fortunately there are ways to combat the stress, and it all starts with knowing your Enneagram number. What is an Enneagram number, and how can it help reduce stress? Those questions and more will be answered in this post today.
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What is the Enneagram?
The Enneagram is a personality test, much like the Myers-Briggs test. The difference, and my favorite aspect of the Enneagram, is that the number you get doesn’t rigidly define you. It describes who you are when you’re at your best, but then you’ll also find out how you respond when you are at your worst and when you are feeling normal.I believe it’s a great test for personal development.
The numbers you can get are one through nine and they each have a different name, like the peacemaker, the enthusiast, etc.. You’ll also have a wing number as well. I know this can all sound confusing if you aren’t familiar with this test, but this article breaks it down further for you. Now let’s get into what some of the benefits of knowing your Enneagram are.
What Are The Benefits Of Knowing Your Enneagram Number?
There are many benefits to not just knowing your Enneagram number, but those around you as well. The biggest one is that you get insight into where you are at when you check in with yourself. When you take the time to study your type and realize what a healthy number looks like, you’ll know where you stand between where you are now and there. Then you’ll know what to work on so you can reach that healthy number. Put simply, the Enneagram is a great self-awareness tool.
Chelsie Engle, from Elite Enneagram Coaching, also notes that improved relationships, personal growth, career guidance, spiritual development, and stress management are all benefits of knowing what your Enneagram number is. A big thank you to Chelsie for sharing her knowledge and expertise with us. Make sure to check out her coaching sessions for confidence and clarity.
Let’s dive deeper into the stress management side of the Enneagram!
How You Can Stress Less By Learning Your Enneagram Number
Each Enneagram number acts differently under stress. That is why it is important to not just know your number, but learn about your number.
Here are some more ways knowing your number can help you stress less, according to Enneagram coach & speaker Chelsie Engle:
- Understanding Coping Mechanisms: Each Enneagram type has a certain set of coping mechanisms they lean towards when in stress mode. By knowing what they are you can recognize them and learn healthier ways to deal with stress.
- Tailored Strategies: Knowing your specific number will allow you to explore specific strategies and solutions for stress that will be most effective for your type.
- Building Resilience: The more you learn about your coping skills and practice the new strategies you’ve learned, the more resilient you’ll become. This will help you stress less overall.
- Communication and Boundaries: When you start figuring out the types of those around you, and learning about how they communicate and handle stress, it becomes easier to work together.
How Each Enneagram Number Can Stress Less
As I mentioned, each Enneagram number reacts differently to stress, which means their methods of stressing less will also be different. Chelsie Engle gave us some insight on what each type can do to relieve stress, or stress less.
Type 1 – The Perfectionist: Allow yourself to embrace imperfections and recognize that it’s okay not to be perfect all the time. Practice self-compassion and flexibility.
Type 2 – The Helper: Remember to take care of yourself. It’s essential to set boundaries and prioritize your own needs, even if it feels uncomfortable.
Type 3 – The Achiever: Find moments of stillness and self-reflection. It’s not always about achieving; sometimes, allowing yourself to simply be is crucial for well-being.
Type 4 – The Individualist: Focus on the positive aspects of situations and practice gratitude. Seek connections with others, and remember that your uniqueness is a strength.
Type 5 – The Investigator: Share your thoughts and feelings with trusted individuals. Engage in activities that involve the outside world, and recognize the value of experiential learning.
Type 6 – The Loyalist: Cultivate trust in yourself and your abilities. Practice mindfulness to manage anxiety, and focus on the present moment rather than worrying about future uncertainties.
Type 7 – The Enthusiast: Allow yourself to sit with and process difficult emotions. Embrace the benefits of slowing down and facing challenges directly rather than seeking constant distractions.
Type 8 – The Challenger: Recognize the strength in vulnerability. It’s okay to show softer emotions and allow others to support you. Not every situation requires a forceful response.
Type 9 – The Peacemaker: Prioritize your own needs and opinions. Practice assertiveness and engage in activities that bring you a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Resources To Learn More
I wanted to close out the post with some resources you can go to to learn more about the Enneagram. There are various books, podcasts, social media channels, and more that you can find, but we’ve done the searching for you.
Chelsie recommends the podcasts The Art of Growth and Enneagram 2.0 podcast from CP Enneagram. Both podcasts feature information and discussions on all nine types, so you can find something you relate to on either of them.
She also recommends seeing an Enneagram Coach because the tests are only 60% accurate. Having someone that is knowledgeable in what the Enneagram is and how it is beneficial, can help you correctly identify your type as well as give you strategies to make the most of the information you learn.
The Road Back To You is a book that kickstarted my Enneagram journey. The tests didn’t really help much but when I read about the Type 9 in this book it was like I was truly seen for the first time. I recommend this book to everyone wanting to know more about the Enneagram.
Have you ever taken the Enneagram test before or identified what your Enneagram number is? If so let me know your number down in the comments.
About the Author
Kelly graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. Even though it took her a little while to find her career path, she was always meant to be in Communications. She remembers writing poems and songs when she was a little girl and pitching to my parents the reasons why I should have a cell phone when I was a teenager. She currently has a blog (budding-joy.com) where she talks about her weight-loss journey, mental health and personal development. Her hope is to encourage and inspire readers and let them know they are not alone. Reading blog posts like that are what helped her in tough times and she wants to pay it forward. She loves dance fitness, listening to music, and creating layouts in her bullet journal. She’s a big fan of planning, especially when cute notebooks and pens are involved.
Her dream job has changed so much over the years; right now she’d love to co-own a dance studio.
Website: budding-joy.com