ESOL Orientation
What is Stress?
Stress is the way your body reacts when any sort of demand -- positive or negative -- is put upon it. Your body can react to mental stress through a physical response.
* Butterflies in your stomach
* Increased heartbeat
* Sweaty hands
* Dizziness
* Dry mouth
* Aches and pains
* Nausea
* And headaches, among many other responses.
You often are not aware that these "stressors" are affecting you. Illnesses relating to stress are becoming quite commom: A poll showed that 59% of those polled experience great stress at least once or twice a week.
Test: Are You Stressed?
For a quick assessment of how vulnerable you are to stress, take a moment to answer these questions. Score each item from 1 (almost always) to 5 (never), according to how much of the time each statement applies to you.
| Score | No. | Question |
| 1 | I eat at least one hot, balanced meal a day | |
| 2 | I get seven to eight hours of sleep at least four nights a week | |
| 3 | I give and receive affection regularly. | |
| 4 | I have at least one relative within 50 miles on whom I can rely | |
| 5 | I exercise to the point of perspiration at least twice a week | |
| 6 | I smoke less than half a pack of cigarettes a day | |
| 7 | I take fewer than five alcoholic drinks a week | |
| 8 | I am the appropriate weight for my height | |
| 9 | I have an income adequate to meet expenses | |
| 10 | I get strength from my religious beliefs | |
| 11 | I regularly attend club or social activities | |
| 12 | I have a network of friends and acquaintances | |
| 13 | I have one or more friends to confide in about personal matters | |
| 14 | I am in good health | |
| 15 | I am able to speak openly about my feelings when angry or worried | |
| 16 | I have regular conversations with the people I live with about domestic problems | |
| 17 | I do something for fun at least once a week | |
| 18 | I am able to organize my time effectively | |
| 19 | I drink fewer than three cups of coffee (or tea or cold drinks) a day | |
| 20 | I take quiet time for myself during the day |
Scoring (Add up the
figures and subtract 20)
* 29 or less: Not very vulnerable
* 30 to 49: Vulnerable
* 50 to 74: Seriously vulnerable
* 75 or higher: Extremely vulnerable
Your Score: __________________
Sources: Managing Job Stress and Health, Macmillan Publishing Co., Office Work Can Be Dangerous to Your Helath, Pantheon Books; Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers, W.H. Freeman and Co.,; Office Biology, MasterMedia Limited; The Anatomy Coloring Book.
