Merry Christmas everyone! I can’t believe the year is almost over. I did a presentation for Head Start families on how to recognize triggers and responses to stress. I focused on the difference between stress and distress and how parents sometimes allow distress to hinder their relationship with their kids. Since this is a hectic time of year for all of us, I’ve included a stress scale that can help each of us determine how much stress we are really experiencing:Life Event:
Death of spouse-100 Divorce-73 Marital separation-65
Jail term-63 Death of close family member-63 Personal injury or illness-53
Marriage-50 Loss of job-47 Marital reconciliation-45
Retirement-45 Change in health of family member-44 Pregnancy-40
Intimacy or sexual difficulties-39 Gain of new family member-39 Business readjustment-39 Change in financial state-38 Death of close friend-37 Career change-36
Increase in # of marital arguments-35 A mortgage or loan over $40,000-32
Foreclosure of mortgage-30 Change in responsibilities at work-29 Child leaving home-29 Trouble with in-laws-29 Outstanding personal achievement-28
Spouse loses job or starts new job-26 Begin or finish school-26 Change in living conditions-2
Change in personal habits-24 Trouble with boss-23 Change in work hours/conditions-20
Change in residence-20 Change in school/college-20 Change in recreation-19
Change in Church-19 Change in social activities-18 A loan or mortgage over $10,000-17
Change in sleeping habits-16 Change in # of family get-togethers-15 Change in eating habits-15
Vacation-13 Christmas-12 Minor violations of the law-11
Scoring:
300 plus - You have a very high risk of becoming physically affected by your stress (ex. headaches, heartburn, or other illness) in the near future
150-299 - You have a moderate chance of becoming ill in near future
Less than 150 Congrats, you have only a low chance of becoming ill in the near future
Notice that Christmas is included in the stress producing categories. For many, Christmas is not a joyous time. Even for those of us who enjoy the Holiday, it can be a hurried, stressful time. Our ability to cope with demands is key to our experience with stress. For example, starting a new job might be solely an exciting experience if everything else in your life is stable and positive. But if you start a new job when you’ve just moved into a new house, or your spouse is ill, or you’re experiencing money problems, you might find it harder to cope. My most recent divorce workshop revealed that attendees are experiencing stress both due to divorce and to the anticipation of a lonely Christmas. Identifying how much stress you’re experiencing can help you cope and carry it with less detriment to your health, your parenting and your relationship with others. I wish you all a blessed and stress free Christmas!
by Lisa Follmer
No comments:
Post a Comment