Stressful Events

Hello friends,
Did you know that men and women process stress differently? We do, but research shows that we all have certain life events that are traumatic and life changing. These events and how we cope with the stress involved greatly dictates our overall health and our life experiences.

In 1967 medical researchers Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe  completed a study on how 5,000 individuals reacted to the events in their lives and complied the results. They developed the The Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale or HRRS. It is still used today to assess your overall stress level.

There are four major types of stress; frustration, conflict, change, and pressure.
​Most of the 43 life changing events listed below don't happen every day, (thankfully.) But research shows that the higher your score, the greater the chances you are of developing a stressed related illness. 

Following this scale add your total score. How stressed are you?

Many of these stressors are out of our control, but yet how we cope with stress is key to our health. Some of the negative forms of coping are; giving up, blaming oneself, aggression, indulging, and defensive coping.

Defensive coping, for example, is  also known as defense mechanisms- or "reactions". These reactions are largely unconscious and are used to protect oneself from unpleasant emotions, such as anxiety and guilt. In defense coping people often avoid stressful situations by “distorting reality so that it doesn’t appear so threatening” (Weiten).

Another common type of negative coping is Indulging. Indulging  often leads to “unwise patterns of eating, drinking, smoking, using drugs, spending money, and so forth” (Weiten) Which can also add MORE stress.

If stress is left unchecked it can develop into medical problems including depression, asthma, colds, cancer or heart disease.

But there are many constructive coping methods to help you handle stress.
These include:

• exercise,
• getting enough sleep, 
• meditation,
• directly confronting the problem,
• realistic analysis of stress,
• Eliminating unnecessary stress
• Recognizing negative responses to stress.

Ready to take control of your life? I have tools to help you deal with stress and get you back on track to a Blissful, healthy life again. Let's work together to get you back in balance and enjoying life.

It is very important to make efforts to reduce stress in your life. Your health depends on it. 

Schedule a free consultation today.

Love and light,
​Sarah

References:
"Social Readjustment Rating Scale Condensed.” Web. 6 Feb 2012.
“Coping with Stress Checklist.” Mental Health America. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 6 Feb 2012. Web. 6 Feb 2012.
Weiten, Wayne. “Psychology: Themes and Variations.” 7th . Belmont, CA: Thomson Higher Education, 2008. 373-97. Print.
“Stress Diagram.” Web 29 Apr 2012.