A Life-Event Test
As part of our June message series "Resting Points" we are looking at the effects of stress.
Take this life-event test to determine how the changes in your lifestyle affect your stress levels as compared to others. You may be surprised to discover how much your lifestyle changes have affected the levels of stress in your life.
________ Death of a spouse (or child) 100
________ Divorce 73
________ Marital separation 65
________ Jail term 63
________ Death of close family member 63
________ Personal injury or illness 53
________ Marriage 50
________ Fired at work 47
________ Marital reconciliation 45
________ Retirement 45
________ Change in family member’s health 44
________ Pregnancy 40
________ Sex difficulties 39
________ Addition to family 39
________ Business readjustment 39
________ Change in financial state 38
________ Death of close friend 37
________ Change to different line of work 36
________ Change in number of marital arguments 35
________ Mortgage or loan for major purchases 31
________ Foreclosure of mortgage or loan 30
________ Change in work responsibilities 29
________ Son or daughter leaving home 29
________ Trouble with in-laws 29
________ Outstanding personal achievement 28
________ Spouse begins or stops work 26
________ Starting or finishing school 26
________ Change in living conditions 25
________ Revision of personal habits 24
________ Trouble with boss 23
________ Change in work hours, conditions 20
________ Change in residence 20
________ Change in schools 20
________ Change in recreational habits 19
________ Change in church activities 19
________ Change in social activities 18
________ Loan for minor purchase (car, TV, etc.) 17
________ Change in sleeping habits 16
________ Change in number of family gatherings 15
________ Change in eating habits 15
________ Vacation 13
________ Christmas season 12
________ Minor violations of the law 11
Total Score ________
Now, add up the point values of all the items you checked. If your score is 300 or more, according to statistics you stand an almost 80 percent chance of getting sick in the near future. If your score is 150 to 299, your chances of becoming ill are about 50 percent. If less than 150, your chance of illness is about 30 percent.
Dr.Donald Colbert, The Bible Cure for Stress (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2002), Used by permission.
