The following stress scale is a well researched, scientifically valid, and highly utilized tool to evaluate stressful life events.

Major life changes have long-term effects that make you susceptible to illnesses and stress-related disorders. LIVING OVERSTRESSED will put you at risk! Learning to cope with stress is essential to promote healthy living!

Reflect on the last twelve months of changes in your life. NOTE ANY ITEM THAT YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS.
This may be a bit long to complete, but it is a valid and reliable assessment!

Stress		Event Values
1.	DEATH OF SPOUSE	100
2.	DIVORCE	60
3.	MENOPAUSE	60
4.	SEPARATION FROM LIVING PARTNER	60
5.	JAIL TERM OR PROBATION	60
6.	DEATH OF CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER OTHER THAN SPOUSE	60
7.	SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR ILLNESS	45
8.	MARRIAGE OR ESTABLISHING LIFE PARTNERSHIP	45
9.	FIRED AT WORK	45
10.	MARITAL OR RELATIONSHIP RECONCILIATION	40
11.	RETIREMENT	40
12.	CHANGE IN HEALTH OF IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER	40
13.	WORK MORE THAN 40 HOURS PER WEEK	35
14.	PREGNANCY OR CAUSING PREGNANCY	35
15.	SEX DIFFICULTIES	35
16.	GAIN OF NEW FAMILY MEMBER	35
17.	BUSINESS OR WORK ROLE CHANGE	35
18.	CHANGE IN FINANCIAL STATE	35
19.	DEATH OF A CLOSE FRIEND (not a family member)	30
20.	CHANGE IN NUMBER OF ARGUMENTS WITH SPOUSE OR LIFE PARTNER	30
21.	MORTGAGE OR LOAN FOR A MAJOR PURPOSE	25
22.	FORECLOSURE OF MORTGAGE OR LOAN	25
23.	SLEEP LESS THAN 8 HOURS PER NIGHT	25
24.	CHANGE IN RESPONSIBILITIES AT WORK	25
25.	TROUBLE WITH IN-LAWS, OR WITH CHILDREN	25
26.	OUTSTANDING PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT	25
27.	SPOUSE BEGINS OR STOPS WORK	20
28.	BEGIN OR END SCHOOL	20
29.	CHANGE IN LIVING CONDITIONS (visitors in the home, change in roommates, remodeling house)	20
30.	CHANGE IN PERSONAL HABITS (diet, exercise, smoking, etc.)	20
31.	CHRONIC ALLERGIES	20
32.	TROUBLE WITH BOSS	20
33.	CHANGE IN WORK HOURS OR CONDITIONS	15
34.	MOVING TO NEW RESIDENCE	15
35.	PRESENTLY IN PRE-MENSTRUAL PERIOD	15
36.	CHANGE IN SCHOOLS	15
37.	CHANGE IN RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES	15
38.	CHANGE IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES (more or less than before)	15
39.	MINOR FINANCIAL LOAN	10
40.	CHANGE IN FREQUENCY OF FAMILY GET-TOGETHERS	10
41.	VACATION	10
42.	PRESENTLY IN WINTER HOLIDAY SEASON	10
43.	MINOR VIOLATION OF THE LAW	5

ADD UP YOUR TOTAL SCORE: ________

IF YOU SCORED:

50 - 150: GREAT! Your stress level is low and you are managing well.

150 - 300: CAUTION! Your stress level is moderate. You may have a 50/50 chance of illness within one year.

Above 300: DANGER! Your stress level is high. You are very susceptible to developing an illness within one year. Learn new stress coping skills ASAP!

LEARN HOW TO MANAGE STRESS HERE!

(Adapted from the "Social Readjustment Rating Scale" by Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe. This scale was first published in the "Journal of Psychosomatic Research", Copyright 1967, vol.II p. 214. It is used by permission of Pergamon Press Ltd.)