StressQuiz

Score each item 1 (almost always) and 5 (never) according to how much of the time the statement applies to
you.

1. I eat at least one hot, balance meal a day. 1 2 3 4 5
2. I get seven to eight hours sleep at least four nights per week. 1 2 3 4 5
3. I give and receive affection regularly. 1 2 3 4 5
4. I have at least one relative within 50 miles on whom I can rely. 1 2 3 4 5
5. I exercise to the point of perspiration at least twice a week. 1 2 3 4 5
6. I smoke less than a half a pack of cigarettes a day. 1 2 3 4 5
7. I take fewer than five alcoholic drinks per week. 1 2 3 4 5
8. I am appropriate weight for my height. 1 2 3 4 5
9. I have an income adequate to meet my basic expenses. 1 2 3 4 5
10. I get strength from my religious beliefs. 1 2 3 4 5
11. I have one or more friends to confide in about personal matters. 1 2 3 4 5
12. I have a network of friends and acquaintances. 1 2 3 4 5
13. I regularly attend club or social activities. 1 2 3 4 5
14. I am in good health (including eyesight, hearing, teeth) 1 2 3 4 5
15. I am able to speak openly about my feelings when I'm angry or worried. 1 2 3 4 5
16. I have regular conversations with the people I live with about domestic problems such as chores, money and
daily living issues. 1 2 3 4 5
17. I do something for fun at least once a week. 1 2 3 4 5
18. I am able to organize my time effectively. 1 2 3 4 5
19. I drink fewer than three cups of coffee (or tea/soda) a day. 1 2 3 4 5
20. I take quiet time for myself during the day. 1 2 3 4 5

To find the score, add up the figures and subtract 20. Any number over 30 indicates a vulnerability to stress.
You are seriously vulnerable if your score is between 50 and 75 and extremely vulnerable if it is over 75.

Source: Miller, LH and Dell Smith, A (1993). The Stress Audit. Biobehavioral Associates, Brooklyn, MA

Some Interesting Facts About Stress

Stress contributes to heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, poor immune system response, alcoholism,
obesity, suicide, drug addiction, cigarette addiction, and other harmful behaviors. (stressfacts.com)

More than half of all deaths between the ages of one and 65 result from stressful lifestyles. (U.S. Center for
Disease Control)

In highly stressful times, your real age can be as much as 32 years older than your calendar age. By building
strong social networks and adopting stress-reduction strategies, you can reduce the aging that stress will cause
by 30 of those 32 years. (RealAge)

Long-term meditators experience 80 percent less heart disease and 50 percent less cancer than nonmediators,
according to a large body of studies (stressless.com)