You know, I can't wait to finish out this year. I'm going to have to throw one heck of a New Year's Party to throw out 2009! We just can't catch a break! Of course, this probably makes up for all of the fabulous years we have had up to this point, but honestly, if I were to list every calamity that hit us this year? It would be like a checklist used by professionals to gauge levels of stress! I'm not kidding - it's crazy! I'm wondering if someone put an invisible "kick me" sign on my back - but I don't think I'm alone!
I am willing to bet that many of us are in the same boats right now and just like me, you probably keep repeating the saying, "This too shall pass...This too shall pass...This too shall pass!"
Here's a test I found online -
What is your stress score ?
How many of the following life crises have you experienced
in the last year? Add up your score on this events table, worked out by Dr.Richard Rahe of Washington Medical
School, to find out how much "stress cushioning" you need.
1) Death of spouse 100
2) Divorce. 73
3) Marital separation. 65
4) Jail sentence. 63
5) Death of close family member. 63
6) Personal injury or illness. 53
7) Marriage. 50
8) Losing a job. 47
9) Marital reconciliation 45
10) Retirement. 45
11) Change in health of a family member 44
12) Pregnancy. 40
13) Sex difficulties. 39
14) Gain of a new family member 39
15) Business readjustment. 39
16) Change in financial status. 38
17) Death of a close friend. 37
18) Change to a different line of work. 36
19) More or fewer arguments with a spouse. 35
20) High mortgage of loan. 31
21) Foreclosure of mortgage or loan. 30
22) Change in responsibilities at work. 29
23) Son or daughter leaving home. 29
24) Trouble with in-laws. 29
25) Outstanding personal achievement. 28
26) Spouse beginning or stopping work. 26
27) Beginning or ending school or college. 26
28) Changes in living conditions. 25
29) Change in personal habits. 24
30) Trouble with the boss. 23
31) Changes in work hours or conditions. 20
32) Changes in residence. 20
33) Change in school or college. 20
34) Change in recreation. 19
35) Change in church activities. 19
36) Change in social activities. 18
37) Moderate mortgage or loan. 17
38) Change in sleeping habits. 16
39) More or fewer family get-togethers. 15
40) Change in eating habits. 15
41) Vacation. 13
42) Christmas. 12
43) Minor violation of the law. 11
RESULTS:
Add up your score.
100 and over.
Your stress level has reached worrying proportions. You must
change some aspect of your life to try to reduce that score.
80-100
You are over-stressed and you score is reaching the critical
area. Learnt to relax. See. "Coping with Stress"
60-80
You are under the average amount of stress.
59 or below
You are enjoying a particularly stress-free time. Make the
most of it.
WHAT??? I'm over 400???!!!! Yes, it's true...while I'm not pregnant and I haven't broken any laws, according to this test, I'm about to lose my mind! I wonder why I'm so calm??? Oh, it's probably because I have great hair now and I lost 5 pounds from the swine flu! There's always a silver lining!
Let me know how you score and how you keep yourself calm during your storms!
xxoo,
Babe