INTERACTIVE QUIZ: The stress scale

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In collaboration with: Eli Bay, Stress Expert

TOPIC
Manage stress

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Have your crazy busy days become your “normal” or have you tamed the stress tiger in your life? Take a few minutes to answer these questions and see where you fall on the stress scale.

Stress is a part of our lives — it’s normal, gets us through our days and even energizes us to get a good deal on a last-minute vacation, win a sports match or give a great presentation. But too much of it and you could be harming your health.

So the obvious question to ask is: Are you under too much stress? Knowing that will help you decide if you’re under control or if you need a complete stress overhaul. The fact is that you can do something about too much stress in your life — as long as you take control of it.

The stress scale

Try this fun stress test and see where you land on our stress scale. It won’t take long to complete and once you have your score, take time to follow the advice given for your stress profile.

1. How often do you experience the following?

a) Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Often Sometimes Never
b) Loss of enjoyment or interest in something you usually enjoy
Often Sometimes Never
c) Changes in your sleep routine (either too much or too little sleep)
Often Sometimes Never
d) Changes in your appetite
Often Sometimes Never
e) Unexplained feelings of sadness, guilt, irritability or restlessness
Often Sometimes Never
f) Have headaches
Often Sometimes Never
g) Feel tense or anxious
Often Sometimes Never
h) Experience indigestion or have an upset stomach
Often Sometimes Never
i) Catch a cold or flu
Often Sometimes Never
j) Poor memory or forgetfulness
Often Sometimes Never
k) Grind your teeth or clench your jaw
Often Sometimes Never
l) Have skin rashes (eczema or hives, for example)
Often Sometimes Never
m) Muscle spasms or twitches
Often Sometimes Never
n) Body pain (such as backaches)
Often Sometimes Never
o) Feel pressured (by outside sources or you strive for perfection and are too hard on yourself)
Often Sometimes Never

2. Do you find yourself arguing with family, friends and co-workers?

Often Sometimes Never

3. Do you make it a point to put time aside to do something just for yourself?

Yes, at least once a week
I try to but it rarely happens
Never. I have no time for "me time"

4. Do you rely on a sympathetic ear to listen to your problems so that you can vent your feelings and/or get help? It could be a close family member, friend,
co-worker or healthcare professional.

Often Sometimes Never

5. Have you taken time to identify what causes stress in your life?

Yes No

6. Are you organized enough to meet realistic goals that you set for yourself both at work and at home (that could include making realistic daily lists)?

Yes No

7. Do you turn to nicotine or alcohol or abuse substances to help you cope with stress or difficult situations?

Yes No

8. Do you find it hard to go with the flow and get in a tizzy when your plans have to change?

Yes No

9. Are you bogged down at work with too much to do and/or overwhelmed by your commitments outside of work?

Yes No

10. Have you recently experienced a significant change in your life (for example, marriage, separation/divorce, new job, job loss, the death of a loved one, moving or the birth of a child)?

Yes No

You’re done! Click the submit button to get your stress profile.

Submit


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References
  • Canadian Mental Health Association, Are you in balance? The work-life balance quiz, website
  • Eli Bay, The Relaxation Response Institute, Are you suffering from stress build-up? website
  • Health Canada, It’s your health: Healthy living — coping with stress, website
  • Heart and Stroke Foundation, Reduce your stress, website
  • Heart and Stroke Foundation, Stress test: How fit are you when it comes to managing stress? website
  • Mayo Clinic, Stress management: How do you react during stressful situations? website

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