Stress: How much is too much?

by Beth McHugh | More from this Blogger

14 Mar 2006 05:04 PM

To get an idea of the level of stress you are currently operating under, read each of the events listed below and calculate the number of events which have occurred in the last year. Also include events that you believe may still be affecting you, even if the event occurred prior to the last 12 months.

Life event Life Change Units

Death of spouse				       100
Divorce					        73
Marital separation				65
Jail term					63
Death of close family member		        63
Personal injury or illness			53
Marriage					50
Retrenched or fired				47
Marital reconciliation				45
Retirement					45
Illness of family member			44
Pregnancy					40
Sexual difficulties				39
Birth of new child				39
Change of financial state			38
Death of close friend				37
Change of job					36
Increased arguments with spouse		        35
House mortgage				        31
Foreclosure of mortgage			        30
Change in responsibilities at work		29
Child leaving home				29
Problems with in-laws				29
Partner begins or stops work			29
Begin or end school				28
Problems with boss				23
Change in work hours or conditions		20
Change in residence 				20
Change of school				20
Change in social activities			17
Change in sleeping habits			16
Change in eating habits			        15
Vacation 					13
Christmas					12
Minor violation of the law			11

If your final score is over 300, you are under a considerable amount of stress. Scores between 200 and 300 indicate a moderate stress level, and under 200 points to a low stress load.

This list is obviously incomplete as it does not include events such as sexual assault, having a family member in active service, having a chronic mental illness or a family member with a mental illness, and other common yet stressful situations. The list is not meant to be exhaustive, but to provide a means of approximately assessing the level of stress in your life.

Knowledge is power and being aware of your "Stress Score" gives you the opportunity to take steps to alleviate the effect of stress. Increased exercise, better diet, talking to friends and family about what is concerning you, taking up yoga, consulting a counselor: all are useful tools to help you cope with the stress in your life.

stress