PERFECTIONISM

TRYING TO BE PERFECT COULD RUIN YOUR HEALTH: JUST BE YOU

When you set high standards at both home and work, it attracts deserving praises and commendation; but according to research, it can have a “dark flip side” too causing both psychological stress due to the weight of pressure to be perfect, as well as physical harm which can be lead to irritable bowel disease, insomnia and even death. A Psychologist at Brock University Canada  has also suggested that perfectionism can be considered as a risk factor for disease just the same way obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption are looked at. Although schools and universities are always promoting perfectionism and its benefits in one’s academic studies and professional achievement, it still remains a strong factor for so many diseases and even early death says Dr Danielle Molnar, a psychologist at Brock University.

There are three types of perfectionists according to Professor Flett and his team.

There are people who focus a lot on their high personal standards of perfection known as self-oriented perfectionists. There are the other-oriented perfectionists who have exacting standards for those around them and  the socially prescribed perfectionists who always believe that other people such as their bosses, parents, colleagues, and friends demand a lot of perfection from them.  Which one are you?

Personally, I think there’s absolutely nothing wrong accepting occasional failure as an essential ingredient and rudiment on the road to success, instead of trying to ‘kill’ yourself while trying to be perfect and lose out on the peace and enjoyment that come with the simple life.