Quick Stress Quiz
“How exciting!”, said Joanne’s neighbor, “You’re moving to Paris. Boy, some people have all the luck!” Or maybe you said you were moving to Idaho. The place doesn’t matter. It’s the responses you have to your friends’ comments that do.
Is this the typical reaction that you received when you shared your news of moving? Exciting, yes. But what our friends, neighbors, and family sometimes forget is how stressful even exciting transitions can be. Remember when you got married, had your children, or went on a grand vacation? Do you also remember the stress that occurred either before, during and/or after the big event? You may not remember those stressful times, because many of us only keep only the good memories, but the stress was there.
While this quiz was written in conjunction with articles about moving overseas, the stress quiz is valid for every day life and with all kinds of change. In fact, it is normal to have stress during major transitions. It has been said that if you live without stress, you are not living. So, the point becomes how to lessen the stress and prevent some of it from occurring in the first place. How do you cope with the myriad of circumstances that can create overload and stress? Give yourself this quick quiz to see where you are on the stressed out scale.
Then read the other articles to find out how to deal with the stress once it occurs.
1. Do you make a “to do” list, prioritize it, and stick to the priorities without getting side-tracked?
Always Most of the time Sometimes Rarely Never
2. Do you delegate as much as possible to others both at home and at work?
Always Most of the time Sometimes Rarely Never
3. Do you ask for help when needed?
Always Most of the time Sometimes Rarely Never
4. Do you believe there are mostly good things/people in life?
Always Most of the time Sometimes Rarely Never
5. Are you able to take short breaks from time to time during a project, and completely focus on something else (for example, the flowers while walking, the music in the break-room, or talking to someone about their interests)?
Always Most of the time Sometimes Rarely Never
6. Do you make relaxation one of your top priorities? (For example, exercising in a way you enjoy, doing meditative activities, or taking time out for a long hot bath)?
Always Most of the time Sometimes Rarely Never
7. Do you do fun things (or hobbies) for yourself (and not just your family)?
Always Most of the time Sometimes Rarely Never
8. Do you know who to call or turn to when you really need support?
Always Most of the time Sometimes Rarely Never
9. Do you eat sensibly?
Always Most of the time Sometimes Rarely Never
10. Do you give yourself rewards for tasks/goals achieved?
Always Most of the time Sometimes Rarely Never
11. Do you trust that everything will work out and therefore not spend time worrying over little things?
Always Most of the time Sometimes Rarely Never
12. Do you not let other people’s stress flow over into your life?
Always Most of the time Sometimes Rarely Never
13. Are you able to say “no” and set boundaries, so that you have the time needed to do what is important to you?
Always Most of the time Sometimes Rarely Never
14. Are you able to look at “mistakes” as opportunities for making something different (and perhaps even better) happen, rather than only seeing them as problems?
Always Most of the time Sometimes Rarely Never
15. Do you realize that all the emotions that you are experiencing during times of transitions and stress are normal and should be encouraged to be expressed appropriately?
Always Most of the time Sometimes Rarely Never
How did you score?
Give yourself 5 points for each “always” answer, 4 points for “most of the time,” 3 points for each “sometimes,” 2 points for each “rarely” and 1 point for each “never.”
If you scored 54 or more, you are already knowledgeable about taking care of yourself well and should be experiencing no more than minimal stress, except perhaps at very crucial moments. Keep up the good work!
If you scored 40 - 53, you are doing well sometimes, but are missing some important characteristics of people who weather transitions successfully. It might be time to do a review of your attitude about life, or perhaps learn some delegating skills. Perhaps you are making time for everyone else to have fun experiences and not doing nice things for yourself. Look at those questions at which you scored lowest and see what you can do to change your circumstances. Today’s and future columns will give you helpful hints.
If you scored 25 - 34, you might need help with learning how to change your behaviors and attitudes about life and transitions. Do you know someone who seems to handle stress and transitions with relative ease (or at least grace)? If so, ask them what they do to handle the stress in their lives. (Don’t be surprised to hear them answer, “I don’t have much stress.”) Ask specific questions about their attitude when things go “wrong.” Give them scenarios that have stressed you and ask how they would have handled the same situation. Read this and future columns for more help in learning how to handle transitions with courage and grace.
If you scored under 25, run, don’t walk, to a specialist for help. You are probably living in a state of stress overload. You are in store for physical (or mental/emotional) ailments, if you haven’t been ill already. See a trusted stress educator, doctor, minister, counselor, or coach for help in changing behaviors and attitudes that ultimately affect your health.
