Take the Stress Test!

April is National Stress Awareness Month

Stress is Normal!

Everyone has it. 

A wedding is a joyful event but it can be stressful. 

Death can be a sorrowful and tearful event and it can be stressful. 

Life is full of ups and downs.  

So...how much stress do you really have?  We can take a simple stress test to see how our stress points add up.   Look at the following events.  Mark the ones that have happened within the last six months.  The scale of impact tells you the number of points that stressor or event has on your life. 

Events	Scale of Impact
Death of a spouse	5
Divorce	4
Marital separation	4
Break-up with boy/girlfriend	4
Jail term	4
Death of close family member	4
Personal illness or injury	3
Personal illness or injury	3
Health problem of family member	3
Gain of a family member	2
Change in financial state	2
Death of a close friend	2
Change to a different line of work	2
Many arguments at home	2
Mortgage	2
Foreclosure on a mortgage	2
Changes in responsibilities at work	2
Outstanding personal achievement	2
Spouse begins or stops work	2
Begin or end school	2
Change in living conditions	2
Change in residence	2
Change in schools	2
Change in recreation	1
Change in church activities	1
Change in social activities	1
Change in sleeping habits	1
Vacation	1
Christmas holidays	1
Minor violation of the law	1

#3)  Now add up your stress points. 

My total is      _________________.

#4)  Use your total to check out your range of stress:

0-3 – Are you being truthful?  Remember, everyone has stress.  It is a normal part of life.  Even happy events can cause stress.  The stress comes because of changes.  Weddings and vacations can be relaxing and happy and stressful.

3 – 8 – This is a normal range of stress points.

9 – 15 - Stress is affecting your quality of life and may cause you to have stress related symptoms and illnesses.  Do two stress busters a day.

21

16 or more - People with many stressors can have nervous breakdowns and high probability of serious illnesses.  Stress can take a toll on your body.  Consider talking to your doctor or therapist about your stress score.  Sometimes boundaries are not taken into consideration so your score may be higher.  Do not add stress points that belong to your parents, family, friends or other people.    

 If you feel your stress score is too high or you would like some help, contact a counselor and show them your stress test.  Your counselor can also explain boundaries to you if they caused you to have a higher score.  

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