Do you diminish or categorize your stress as “normal” or “it’s no big deal, everyone has stress?”
It is not uncommon for people to downplay the stress in their daily lives, not really knowing the true amount of stress they are under, or what is considered a stressful situations. It is important for you to know what causes your stress and stress needs to be understood, especially how stress can impact your health. This STRESS QUIZ is designed to help you discover the amount of stress you may be under and do not even realize it.
Rate yourself as to how you typically react in each of the situations listed below. There are no right or wrong answers. Circle the statements in each column that apply to you. If a particular area of your life doesn’t generally cause you stress, skip it.
| Cause of Stress |
Mild – 1 point | Moderate – 2 points | Serious – 3 points |
| Work | I work part-time | I work full-time | I work more than 40 hrs wk |
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| Number of kids | One | Two | Three or more |
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| Parents | My parents occasionally need my help | My parents have chronic problems and need my help more and more | My parents live with me because of chronic problems |
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| In-laws | My in-laws occasionally need my help | My in-laws have chronic problems and need my help more and more | My in-laws live with me because of chronic problems |
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| Health | I have typical complaints for my age | I have mild heath problems | I have moderate to severe heath problems |
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| Money | I manage to save a little but not much | I am often worried that I don’t have enough money | I have serious money problems |
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| Weather | I experience seasonal problems, such as depression on gray days | I experience severe weather problems, like hurricanes and tornadoes | My home has been affected by a weather related disaster. |
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| Space | We are crowded at home | We have just barely enough space at home | We have fights over space every week |
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| Commuting | I commute less than half hour a day | I commute from a half hour to an hour a day | I commute more than one hour a day |
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| Support System | I have some friends and family near by but not enough | I have family and friends, but most are not nearby. | I have almost no one I can talk to or get support from. |
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| Family Problems | My family has normal problems with friends, and neighbors | My family has moderate problems that affect our happiness | My family members have serious learning, physical, or mental problems |
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| Neighborhood | It could be better | Its marginal | Its not safe |
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| Other Problems | I have occasional other problems at home, work or school | I have frequent other problems at home, work or school | I have multiple other problems at home, work or school, that never seem to get better |
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| Total | |||
If you score in the 0-13 range, you have a MILD amount of stress.
If your score is 14-26, you have a moderate amount of stress. You are approaching the DANGER ZONE
If your score is 27-39, you need to understand that stress is a SERIOUS THREAT TO YOUR HEALTH. You need some extra support from a counselor, or close friend. I urge you to make your health a priority for you and your family.
How Stress Impacts Your Health - short-term stress can keep you awake at night and make you feel irritable and edgy. High stress levels over a long period of time can cause serious health problems such as high blood pressure. And high stress can weaken your immune system and make it difficult for your body to fight disease. Stress is linked to health conditions such as depression, heart disease, and asthma.
If you would like Dr. Kay Trotter to come talk to your group you can contact her at: Kay@KayTrotter.com, 214-499-0396, or visit her web site http://www.KayTrotter.com.
Dr Trotter also post regularly in her FaceBook fan page http://www.facebook.com/DrKaySudekumTrotter.
