In high school Psychology class, we once took a test that assigned point values to different life events. Of course, being in high school wasn’t listed but probably would have been worth 100 points. :)
After checking off events that occured during the last 12 months, you would be able to gauge how the stress in your life was affecting your susceptiblity to illness. Presumably, striving to avoid stressors was the key to a long and healthy life.
I found one of these stress tests online and took it today, but I only included things that have occured in the last TWO months. The results?
Your total stress score is 426
If your score totals 150 or more: You have a 50-50 chance of developing an illness.
If your score totals 300 or more: You have a 90 percent chance of developing an illness.
In the last couple years, I have specifically tried to seek additional stress in my life. I’ve taken on more volunteer work, become more active in local interest groups, and tried to fill my schedule however I can. To me, if I’m not doing those things, I’m not actually living. And, while I may suffer from a few additional colds each year, I can’t imagine giving it up.
