Stress. We all have it. Although our stress levels wax and wane throughout our lives, we all know what that dreadful knot of nerves feels like. As an adult I find I am encountering different stressors, arguably more weighty life changes that have more potential to throw my system out of whack. But, I can't say that this stress feels all that different than being 2 hours away from a paper deadline or not knowing what to wear to the Spring Fling. Loutoo, midterms sound terribly stressful and thankfully for me are something I haven't had to think about in a while. I have been thinking about stress a lot lately because more than one person has referenced the "stress scale" in regards to things going on in my life. So, I Googled and this is what I found. Please note the second to last item on this list...just eking out "minor law violation."
Take the Holmes Stress Scale!
Death of a spouse 100
Divorce 73
Marital Separation 65
Death of close relative 63
Personal injury or illness 53
Marriage 50
Fired from job 47
Marital reconciliation 45
Retirement 45
Change in health of family member 44
Pregnancy 40
Sexual differences 39
Gain of new family member 39
Change in financial status 38
Death of close friend 37
Change to a career or line of work 36
Change in number of arguments with spouse 35
Mortgage or loan for major purchase 31
Foreclosure of mortgage 30
Change in responsibility at work 29
Son or daughter leaving home 29
Trouble with in-laws 29
Outstanding personal achievement 28
Husband/wife starting or stopping work 26
Begin or end school 26
Revision of personal habits 24
Trouble with supervisor/ colleagues 23
Change in working hours 20
Change in working conditions 20
Change in residence 20
Change in school 20
Change in recreation 19
Change in church activities 19
Change in social activities 18
Mortgage or loan for lesser purchase (car, computer, etc.) 17
Change in sleeping habits 16
Change in number of family get togethers 15
Change in eating habits 15
Vacation 13
Christmas 12
Minor violations of the law (traffic tickets, etc.) 11
Is this scale significant? What are our thoughts?
