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Stress in small doses isn't a bad thing. Stress can challenge you to do your best. But too much stress can affect both your emotional and physical health. Learning what brings on stress in your life is the first step toward managing it. This assessment will help you identify your life "stressors."
In each category, check all the items that currently apply to your life.
Your Results
You selected the following items:
You have indicated that there are no major risk factors in your current lifestyle and circumstances that would put you at risk for developing Stress.
Promotion
New job
Demotion
Reorganization
Being laid off
Boredom with job
Downsizing
Dislike of job
Increased workload
New technology
Working harder, accomplishing less
High responsibility, low control
Problem employee, supervisor or co-worker
Long-term unemployment
Marriage
Divorce
Reconciliation
Separation
Having a child
Death in the family
Physical injury
Illness
Medical crisis
Financial problems
Weight gain
Weight loss
Making a new friend
Taking a vacation
Children leaving home
Moving
Starting school
Completing school
Quit smoking, drinking or using drugs
Losing a good friend
Skipping a vacation
Difficulty finding good child care
The items you checked are your stressors--the situations that cause you stress. Any kind of change in your life--whether good or bad--may trigger stress. Certain life events may be very stressful. These include getting divorced (or getting married), having a baby, losing a loved one or retiring from work. Each person's reaction to stress may be different. Some events that you may find stressful may not be stressful to someone else.
Once you are aware of what triggers your stress and recognize the symptoms of stress, you can start using stress management strategies. In fact, many experts believe that the way in which people deal with stress may be more important than the number or type of stressful situations they face.
Although a little stress isn't harmful, persistent, long-term stress can raise your risk for illnesses, including obesity, heart disease and certain cancers. Long-term stress can cause digestive problems and weaken your immune system.
Symptoms of stress include feelings of anxiety, back pain, headaches, sleep problems, upset stomach and constipation or diarrhea.
Minimizing Stress
Here are some tips from the National Mental Health Association for dealing with common stressful situations.
- Be realistic. Don’t take on more responsibility than you can or should handle. If you feel overwhelmed, say NO to any activity that is not absolutely necessary. Ask yourself, “What really needs to be done?” How much can I do?
- Don’t try for perfection. No one is perfect, so don’t expect perfection from yourself or others. Ask for help if you need it.
- Take one thing at a time. Tension or stress can make an ordinary workload seem unbearable. One way to cope with the feeling of being overwhelmed is to take just one task at a time. Pick the most urgent one and work on it. Once you accomplish it, choose the next one.
- Take time out for yourself. Meditation, regular exercise, good nutrition, and sharing your feelings with friends can help you cope with stressful situations.
- Realize that you can't control everything. What you can't control, don't worry about.
- Plan ahead for stressful events. If you need to give a speech, for instance, give yourself time to prepare for it.
- Approach changes in your life as challenges or opportunities instead of threats.
- Exercise most days of the week. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day.
- Get enough sleep.
- Follow a healthy diet.
- Get involved in hobbies or social events that are pleasurable.
References for Stress Trigger
- Miller L., Smith, A. The Different Kinds of Stress. Help Center, American Psychological Association, 2004. Accessed on the World Wide Web at American Psychological Association
- Stress and Your Health. The National Women’s Health Information Center. Aug. 2004. Accessed on the World Wide Web at National Women’s Health Information Center
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dealing with stress. National Agriculture Database. Accessed on the World Wide Web at CDC
- National Mental Health Association. Stress: Coping with everyday problems. Accessed on the World Wide Web at National Mental Health Association
- American Institute for Preventive Medicine. Systematic Stress Management. Accessed on the World Wide Web at American Institute for Preventive Medicine
- American Academy of Family Physicians. Stress: How to Cope Better With Life's Challenges. 2005. Accessed on the World Wide Web at American Academy of Family Physicians
- Spencer, R L, Hutchinson, K E. “Alcohol, Aging, and the Stress Response. Alcohol Research and Health. 23 (4). 1999. 272-283.
- Sayette, M. Does Drinking Reduce Stress? Alcohol Research and Health. 23 (4). 1999. 250-255.
- Anisman, H, Merali, Z. Understanding Stress: Characteristics and Chavetas. Alcohol Research and Health. 23 (4). 1999. 241-249.
- Jacobson, J, Jacobson, A. Psychiatric Secrets, Second Edition. Hanley and Belfus. 2001. 214-239.