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I Am Stressed Out

Measured My Stress! Beat That!

By: DancesWithDolphins
Written on March 27th, 2008

Hey, I was wondering why my life has felt like I was in a tidal wave, why I was feeling for the first time high blood pressure, why my belly fat is bigger and why I continue to JONES for a cigarette.  A homeless man told ME last night he was worried about me.  My siblings take turns calling me to see if I am OK.  Mostly, I am.

I remembered some score sheet or scale you can use to measure your stress.  I searched the web and finally found it - The Social Readjustment Rating Scale.  Here is what your score means:

  • Score of 300+: At risk of illness.
  • Score of 150-299+: Risk of illness is moderate (reduced by 30% from the above risk).
  • Score 150-: Only have a slight risk of illness.

Here is the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Readjustment_Rating_Scale

I made a spreadsheet, counted a few items twice, and closed my eyes when I hit the total button......

     1,555  

I love winning but not necessarily this one.  Someone else want to try to beat that?

How stressed are you?  What is your score? What will you do today about it?

What three things could I do right now to chill out....

  • Push away from the computer for a few hours
  • Breathe
  • Go for a walk
  • Call my mom and say hi....

Sounds like a plan.

 

By: DancesWithDolphins
Age: 41-45 , Male
812 people have read this story

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17 responses
  • 1moorenurse
    1moorenurse

    So....hows that working for ya?...i would love to cut my stress level so let me know if ya hit on anything big!!!

    Sep 3, 2008
    1 like
  • DancesWithDolphins
    DancesWithDolphins

    Great ideas!

    May 25, 2008
    1 like
  • kinkitty
    kinkitty

    1638, but I don't feel very stressed, I meditate a lot, and I don't think that I will give the same priority to those stressors, I have learned to cope with these things, especially everything concerning change and finances. I also developed a system where I will just block out some of the things until I have time and energy to deal with it.

    May 24, 2008
    1 like
  • DancesWithDolphins
    DancesWithDolphins

    I'll have to remeasure, I'm doing much better now.

    May 24, 2008
    1 like
  • DancesWithDolphins
    DancesWithDolphins

    Thanks Jimmo,



    my counselor has a chair with my name engraved on it.

    May 24, 2008
    1 like
  • DancesWithDolphins
    DancesWithDolphins

    some just PM'd me and they are over 2000

    Mar 28, 2008
    1 like
  • DancesWithDolphins
    DancesWithDolphins

    chai tea for you!

    Mar 28, 2008
    1 like
  • DancesWithDolphins
    DancesWithDolphins

    there were a couple of other ones that counted double.

    one counted 10 times, I'll PM you privately if you REALLY want to know which one.

    Mar 27, 2008
    1 like
  • stephanie1990
    stephanie1990

    hey

    Mar 27, 2008
    1 like
  • stephanie1990
    stephanie1990

    hey

    Mar 27, 2008
    1 like
  • DancesWithDolphins
    DancesWithDolphins

    I agree and had avoided the test for a while, but I'm glad I measured it. Thought it was huge, it is.



    Had the best relaxing stretch after taking that test.

    Mar 27, 2008
    1 like
  • datura
    datura

    Some times seeing the measure only adds to a persons sense of victimhood or "overwhelmment" ,to coin a word. I believe too much in the power of thought to want to go there.

    Mar 27, 2008
    1 like
  • DancesWithDolphins
    DancesWithDolphins

    Obviously, it is how one reacts.... but it is interesting to see the "measure" of what I am dealing with.

    Mar 27, 2008
    1 like
  • DancesWithDolphins
    DancesWithDolphins

    Obviously, it is how one reacts.... but it is interesting to see the "measure" of what I am dealing with.

    Mar 27, 2008
    1 like
  • TwilightDreamer
    TwilightDreamer

    Hmm...I ranked 417 on the adult scale. Not quite as high, but I'm only 22, so that's probably not a good sign. I took the one below it for giggles and hit 615. Yikes.



    Here's hoping we both make some positive changes this year. Or our luck turns around. Or both. :)

    Mar 27, 2008
    1 like
  • datura
    datura

    You know that it isn't really the events that cause the stress, but your reaction to the events. The change has to come from within.Change your mind and change your life!



    Best wishes to finding solutions that are meaningful to you.

    Mar 27, 2008
    1 like
  • DancesWithDolphins
    DancesWithDolphins

    Thanks! I used the score sheet... it gives points for different events.



    Saying hi to mom is always a great thing!

    Mar 27, 2008
    1 like