There are a lot of MBTI articles out there about stress and the inferior functions. They say that living in your inferior function for too long can cause stress, and then you will be in what’s known as “grip stress”. I’d like to take it a step farther, and discuss my theory that if we play with our inferior function a bit, we can help it to mature. By no means, am saying to constantly live in your inferior function (that would definitely burn out your first two functions & cause you to be in grip stress mode), but my theory is that by bringing it forward and giving it sometime in the sun in a playful way may lead to less stress going forward. BUT this has to be a preemptive action, and not reactive or we will have already gone into stress mode. So, take a little time when the stakes aren’t high to engage your inferior function in a fun way and see if it helps!
Extroverted Thinking (Te) – Inferior: INFP/ISFP
INFPs & ISFPs have Extroverted Thinking (Te) as their inferior function. When in grip stress mode, the Te may overanalyze external data, trying to make sense of the world through external fact patterns. Some ways to try out using Te in a fun, non-stressful way might be learning new statistics based on external facts and data, possibly through watching the History channel, or “How It’s Made”.
Introverted Thinking (Ti) – Inferior: ENFJ/ESFJ
ENFJs & ESFJs have Introverted Thinking (Ti) as their inferior function. When in grip stress mode, the Ti may overanalyze fact patterns that they have internalized, trying to make sense of the world through their internal thinking principles. Some ways to try out using Ti in a fun, non-stressful way might be analyzing data and facts that they have collected over time, and determining what their principles are around those facts, possibly through studying the stock market and investing in stocks that they think are likely to be successful.
Extroverted Intuition (Ne) – Inferior: ISFJ/ISTJ
ISFJs & ISTJs have Extroverted Intuition (Ne) as their inferior function. When in grip stress mode, the Ne may spiral by trying to interpret situations and events and figure out the pattern or interconnectedness within those relationships even if the conclusion is inaccurate. Some ways to try out using Ne in a fun, non-stressful way might be to engage in activities that draw links in external connectedness with relationships and experiences, and relating them to other concepts possibly through having a friendly debate with someone, or joining a debate club.
Introverted Intuition (Ni) – Inferior: ESFP/ESTP
ESFPs & ESTPs have Introverted Intuition (Ni) as their inferior function. When in grip stress mode, the Ni may spiral by trying to take internal information and data points to create a pattern and project the future even if the conclusion is inaccurate or stressful. Some ways to try out using Ni in a fun, non-stressful way might be to engage your pattern finding side of the brain, and play around with it, possibly through playing a pattern-finding and strategic thinking board game, like Clue or Mancala.
Extroverted Sensing (Se) – Inferior: INFJ/INTJ
INFJs & INTJs have Extroverted Sensing (Se) as their inferior function. When in grip stress mode, the Se may engage in external sensing activities in excess, like over-eating and over-exercising. Some ways to try out using Se in a fun, non-stressful way might be to engage in activities that activate their sensing function in a light, easy way, possibly through taking a walk in nature or doing some sightseeing traveling.
Introverted Sensing (Si) – Inferior: ENFP/ENTP
ENFPs & ENTPs have Introverted Sensing (Si) as their inferior function. When in grip stress mode, the Si may engage in placing a lot of emphasis on their past experiences and memories, and use that to make their decisions. Some ways to try out using Si in a fun, non-stressful way might be to engage in activities that activate their sensing function in a light, easy way, possibly through scrapbooking or journaling about past experiences.
Extroverted Feeling (Fe) – Inferior: INTP/ISTP
INTPs & ISTPs have Extroverted Feeling (Fe) as their inferior function. When in grip stress mode, the Fe may start to place too much emphasis on others perspectives, and get caught in a loop of trying to people please and not knowing how they feel about something. Some ways to try out using Fe in a fun, non-stressful way might be trying to pay attention to other people’s feelings, possibly through watching a Hallmark movie or play with letting someone else make a low-stakes decision for you, like where to eat for dinner.
Introverted Feeling (Fi) – Inferior: ENTJ/ESTJ
ENTJs & ESTJs have Introverted Feeling (Fi) as their inferior function. When in grip stress mode, the Fi may place too much worth on how they are feeling about something and become punitive based on their internal values. Some ways to try out using Fi in a fun, non-stressful way might be trying to take a low-stakes decision and determine how you would feel about the situation based on your values, possibly through journaling about your feelings or listening to music and paying attention to see what feelings that might evoke for you.
Feel free to comment below if you have any thoughts!
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Love,
Teal