In an attempt to measure life changes, a Life Scale was developed ranking events in order from the most stressful (death of a spouse) to the least stressful (minor violations of the law).
As you read take note of all the stressful events that may have touched or are touching your life. There are other stresses not listed, but according to statistical information these events are common to man.
1. Death of spouse or child
2. Divorce
3. Marital Separation
4. Addictions
5. Death of a close family member (parent or sibling)
6. Physical or verbal abuse
7. Child sent to war
8. Being fired from work
9. Marital reconciliation
10. Retirement
11. Major change in health or behavior of family member
12. Pregnancy of spouse/ partner / child
13. Sexual difficulties
14. Gain a new family member (through birth, adoption, etc.)
15. Major business readjustment (merger, reorganization, etc.)
16. Major change in financial state (a lot worse / or better off)
17. Death of a close friend
18. Changing to different type work.
19. Major change in number of arguments with spouse (more
or less)
20. Taking on a significant (to you) mortgage
21. Foreclosure on a mortgage or loan
22. Major change in responsibility at work (promotion,
transfer, demotion)
23. Son or daughter leaving home (marriage, college, etc.)
24. Marriage
25. In-law troubles
26. Outstanding personal achievement
27. Partner beginning or ceasing work outside of the home.
28. Beginning or ceasing formal schooling
29. Major change in living conditions (new house, renovating)
30. Revision of personal habits (dress, manners, associations)
31. Troubles with the boss
32. Detention in jail or other institution
33. Change in residence
34. Major change in usual type and / or amount of recreation
35. Major change in church or spiritual activities (more or less)
36. Major change in social activities (clubs, dancing, movies)
37. Taking on a small loan (purchasing car, TV, freezer, etc.)
38. Major change in sleeping habits (more or less)
39. Major change in number of family get-togethers (more or
less
40. Major change in eating habits (a lot more or less food
intake
41. Holidays or vacations
42. Minor violations of the law (traffic or parking infractions)
43. Time and traffic (deadlines, heavy traffic)
After reading the list you may find you REALLY HAVE GOOD REASONS to sometimes feel overwhelmed. These events are common to all of us, and taken into consideration with other “personal events”; you can see just why you may be stressed! You aren’t just whimpering or weak and unable to handle the events in your life!
So pat yourself on the back for not coming totally unglued every day, and begin to seek STRESS MANAGEMENT MAGIC through articles posted here, classes, videos, personal instruction, self-improvement groups, family meetings, and by ANY MEANS you can to “manage” this stress.
There are several ways NOT to look for stress management help.
1. Alcohol
2. Drugs
3. Overeating or secretly eating to find a temporary fix.
In order for management techniques (whatever is right for your
lifestyle) to work, and for the techniques to be permanent, keep this important fact in mind:
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, And PRACTICE
Make it a FUN goal and remember THIS IS YOUR LIFE!
Now take a deep slow inhalation through the nose, exhale through the mouth and KNOW this is the most important first step you can take towards stress management. USE YOUR OXYGEN YOU WONDERFUL OXYGEN MACHINE!
