Any changes in the routine of your life — even welcome ones — can be stressful. Considerable recent research has shown that stress is a contributing factor — if not a direct cause — of many illnesses. Since understanding stress and reducing its effects are important to your health, we've created a quick test to check for stress.
Use the following stress calculator (based on the Holmes-Rahe Life Events Test) to help determine your chance of developing a stress-related illness.
How stress can affect your health
Check the box next to any events that have occurred in your life in the past 12 months:
Death of spouse
Divorce
Marital separation from mate
Detention in jail, other institution
Death of a close family member
Major personal injury or illness
Marriage
Fired from work
Marital reconciliation
Retirement
Major change in the health or behavior of a family member
Pregnancy
Sexual difficulties
Gaining a new family member (e.g., through birth, adoption, oldster moving, etc.)
Major business re-adjustment (e.g., merger, reorganization, bankruptcy)
Major change in financial status
Death of close friend
Change to different line of work
Major change in the number of arguments with spouse
Taking out a mortgage or loan for a major purchase
Foreclosure on a mortgage or loan
Major change in responsibilites at work
Son or daughter leaving home (e.g., marriage, attending college)
Trouble with In-laws
Outstanding personal achievement
Spouse beginning or ceasing to work outside the home
Beginning or ceasing formal schooling
Major change in living conditions
Revision of personal habits (dress, manners, associations, etc.)
Trouble with boss
Major change in working hours or conditions
Change in residence
Change to a new school
Major change in usual type and/or amount of recreation
Major change in church activities (a lot more or less than usual)
Major change in social activities (clubs, dancing, movies, visiting)
Taking out a mortgage or loan for a lesser purchase (e.g., for a car, TV, freezer, etc.)
Major change in sleeping habits
Major change in the number of family get-togethers
Major change in eating habits
Vacation
Christmas season
Minor violations of the law (e.g., traffic tickets, etc.)
