Stress Management - Measuring Stress

Feeling stress is a fact of life for most people. But it affects everyone differently. What causes stress for you may not be stressful for someone else. That's because how you view a situation affects how much stress it causes you. Only you can figure out whether you have too much stress in your life.

Ask yourself these questions to find out what is causing your stress:

What job, family, or personal stress do I have?

Stress can be caused by an ongoing personal situation such as:

• Problems in your family or with a relationship.

• Caring for a family member who is elderly, has chronic health problems, or is disabled. Caregiving is a major source of stress

• Dealing with a family member who is under stress.

Have I had any recent major life changes?

Life changes such as getting married, moving to a new city, or losing a job can all be stressful. You can't always control these things, but you can control how you respond to them.

Do my beliefs cause me stress?

Some people feel stress because their beliefs conflict with the way they are living their life. Examine your beliefs to find out if you have this kind of conflict in your life.

How am I coping with stress?

Your lifestyle choices can prevent your body from recovering from stress. For example, as you sleep, your body recovers from the stresses of the day. If you're not getting enough sleep or your sleep is often interrupted, you lose the chance to recover from stress.