Stress level test completion can help you identify the primary sources of stress in your life, and some tests evaluate the effects it has on your mind and body.
A variety of factors and life events will influence your stress score and, though you cannot change some of the stressors, you may be able to lessen the impact that some have on your stress level.
Can you identify your main sources of stress? Stressors may seem obvious, but positive life events can be highly stressful too!
Finances
Finances are a source of stress for most people, be they in poverty or on the lap of luxury. The negative finance stressors are those you cannot control or those that force you to live a lower standard than what you’re accustomed to.
- Job loss, demotion or layoffs
- Debt
- Foreclosure
- Loss of job or income from your spouse
Positive events involving finances can cause stress too, as they may lock you into more responsibility or change your usual living habits.
- Promotion
- Buying or selling a home
- Winning the lottery (a stressor most would appreciate!)
Evaluate your financial situation and brainstorm ideas for cutting costs and effectively managing your finances.
Relationships
“A tiger doesn’t lose sleep over the opinion of sheep.”
Relationship stressors can come from friends, family and co-workers, though the biggest relationship stressors are often major life events:
- Death of a loved one
- Marriage, separation, or divorce
- Birth of a child
- Children leaving home
- Conflict with a loved one
- Retirement
Supportive and positive relationships can help you cope with both positive and negative relationship stressors, though you may also find additional relief in individual or family counseling.
Mental and Physical Health
Mental and physical health problems are primary sources of stress, yet some can also cause or worsen the negative stressors in other areas of life, such as finances. These stressors include:
- Illness or injury
- Addiction, or addiction recovery
- Illness diagnosis or treatment
- Health problems in loved ones
- Sexual difficulties
Health problems and medical bills can be difficult to manage, especially without the help of health insurance. Follow treatment plans to the best of your ability, and use community resources for extra assistance if needed.
Life Changes
Although life is ever-changing, some life events and milestones will increase your stress and the score on your test. Legal problems, such as an arrest or lawsuit, are negative stressors, whereas graduation and enrollment in higher education are positive stressors.
But out of all events you may have experienced this past year, you are likely to score a lot of points for relocation to a new area, regardless of whether you view it as a positive or negative change.
Your personal coping mechanisms and interpretation of stressors can either lessen or deepen the impact they have on your life.
A stress level test will identify these stressors, yes, but remember that what you do with the information is more important than the score. So don’t let your stress scores stress you out—let them point the way to positive coping methods!