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.

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: __________________

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