Stress Test

Stress plays a powerful role in the running of our bodies.  It motivates us to run in times of need or stand and fight in others.  Nowadays, there isn't so much a fight or flight response as a chronic, constant background level of hyperawareness.  And unfortunately, this is a killer as we never seem to get a "down" time or a chance to rest the body.

Scary to think but stress is the number cause of disease and illness in the Western world.  It costs the medical system and employers billions of dollars per year, what's worse is the cost it demands from families and individuals: health, well-being and happiness.  Stress can rob us of quality life and vitality.  It can erode our humour and joy in life and the relationships that are important to us.  It can make you someone you do not want to be and when you're facing the second half of life, when the possibilities for adventure, growth and joy are well within your grasp, it can turn your life upside down.

The following questionnaire is one we use in "Taming the Dragon Within: An 8 Week Stress Reduction and Relaxation Workshop"  It is a modified version but will still give you a good idea how much stress is impacting your health and happiness.

Only you will see this questionnaire so be honest with yourself.  Don't exaggerate, you are the only one who will see this. Usually your first honest response is the correct one.

Answer with a number from 0 to 10.  0 is never, 10 is very frequently, 4 is infrequently and 6 is occasionally.

__1.  I feel used up at the end of the day.
__2.  I tend to be cautious.
__3.  I judge others and am critical of their behaviour.
__4.  I seem to blame myself for things.
__5.  I am not always happy with the way I treat people.
__6.  I get tired quickly.
__7.  I wish I could be as happy as others seem to be.
__8.  I have a short fuse for becoming annoyed an irritated.
__9.  If I could stop worrying, I could accomplish a lot more.
__10.I don't seem to feel satisfied when finishing a task as I used to.
__11. I feel like I have no energy to get things done.
__12. People see me as a lot more successful than I am.
__13. I wake up earlier than I want to.
__14. I seem to get a lot of tension headaches.
__15. My lower back muscles feel tense, inflexible and sore.
__16. I seem to get into arguments more than usual.
__17. I feel lonely.
__18. I seem to have more allergy problems than most people.
__19. I suffer from the flu or a cold.
__20. I have aching and tight muscles in my neck and shoulders.

Add up your numbers. If you scored 80 to 100 stress is impacting your life.  If you scored 100 or above stress is affecting your health in a negative way and it's time to Tame the Dragon Within.