There are many ways to test your stress level. I personally like rating it on a scale of 1 to 10. For any of my coaching clients, I recommend a stress review every three month to make. This helps them make sure they are progressing (or at least helps them find out if their situation is getting worse).
The issue with stress is that you start noticing it when it gets out of control. Regular monitoring when things are going well can be critical. It allows you to find a benchmark that you can compare to. If things go a little sour, you can do something straight away before you find yourself in a mental health ward with a nervous breakdown or having to see a private psychiatrist.
Below are 40 statements of people who manage stress well. Keep in mind that no one can do it 100% of the time. The aim is to do it more and more. This test can help you monitor your level of stress. It can also help you discover what needs to happen if you want to manage it well.
Here is what you have to do: rate the following statements from 1-10.
- 1 means this statement is not true for you at all
- 5 means that this statement is true on half of the occasions
- 10 means that this statement is true for you most of the time
When you finish, add up the numbers and keep the results somewhere you will remember in three month. Alternatively, put the link for this post in your calendar to review in 3 month.
Test Your Stress
Here are the statements:
- I keep a very good sleeping routine.
- I enjoy humor.
- I keep a healthy diet.
- I do not complain.
- I am physically active.
- I let go of the past and focus on the future.
- I keep calm when things do not happen my way.
- I overcome disappointments easily.
- I have a good support network.
- I mediate.
- In conversation, I listen more than I talk.
- I have realistic goals and I achieve most of them.
- I am very relaxed and focused.
- I am organized.
- I spend time on relaxation.
- I cope very well with disappointment.
- I am very positive.
- I freely share my thoughts and feelings.
- I am generally very patience with having to wait.
- When I feel tired, I go to sleep.
- I like routine but I am not dependent on it.
- Others consider me an easy going person.
- I am generally very happy.
- I love my work.
- If there is anything I need to do, I do it straight away and do not put it off until later.
- I am very calm and relaxed when other express thoughts and ideas that are different to mine.
- I am generally happy with my financial situation.
- I have good friends.
- I dedicate time to hobbies.
- I am very satisfied with my relationships.
- I think that everyone is OK.
- I am assertive.
- I think the past cannot be changed so I do not spend too much time talking about it.
- I tend to look at the glass as half full.
- I dedicate time to enjoying life.
- I think that to do a good job, I do not have to be 100% all the time.
- I am very good at time management.
- I am a very accepting person.
Once you have the result, pick 3 areas that you feel need improvement and make a goal to improve your ratings in these areas. This blog contains many posts with practical tips for stress management. In 3 months, come back here and test your stress again to see how well you have done.
Hugs,
Ronit
