Introvert’s surviving the festive season
For the introvert, Christmas is definitely not the most wonderful time of the year; withdrawn and reflective sorts often fear the festive season, with the office party ranking most stressful of all.
“Many people think that introverts are shy, but introversion is really not related to shyness at all,” explained Susan Cain in The New York Times bestselling Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. “It’s related to what we call overstimulation in the neocortex – which means that it’s difficult for an introvert to concentrate when there’s too much stimulation coming in.”
Drunken banter, having to talk to bosses, maybe even having to dance or (please, please no) do karaoke in front of an audience of sozzled employees, all definitely qualify as unwanted stimulation. But if you’re an introvert dreading your own nightmare before Christmas at the office do, fear not, for help is at hand. Here are my tips for surviving the festive office shindig.