If you are feeling a bit low but can’t put your finger on why, a stress inventory is a great way to get a handle on what is on your emotional plate.
Draw up 3 columns, one each for Event, Date and Score
Record any significant changes in the last 12 - 24 months
- Including positive changes like a new house or job
- including changes in the lives of people close to you - children, parents etc.
- the list below is not extensive but can give you an idea of what stress can do to you.
- give each item a score of 1 - 10
- + denotes the event could score higher depending on the time it goes on
- ++ event could get higher with no end in sight to the situation
- 10 Terminal Illness
- 9+ Death of someone close to you
- 7++ Serious illness/hospitalization
- 7++ Divorce
- 6++ A child born
- 6++ Family/relationship conflict or estrangement
- 6++ Sick/infirm dependents
- 6++ Moving countries/state
- 6+ Parents into a retirement home
- 5++ End a relationship
- 5+ Moderate Illness
- 5 Conflict with friends
- 5+ Financial stress
- 5+ Moving house
- 5+ Chronic health issue/depression
- 5+ New significant relationship
- 4++ Sick child
- 4+ Loss of a pet/death of a pet
- 3+ Last child leaves home
- 2+ New job or role
- 2 Vacation
- 1+ First child leaves home
- 1 A child starts school
- 1 New pet
- 1 New car/major possession
- 1 No exercise
- 1 Bad diet