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In the early 1970's, Richard Rahe and Thomas Holmes - two stress
experts at the Washington University - discovered that certain
'life changes' accurately predicted future illnesses. With this
knowledge, they composed a list of 43 possible changes, rating
each one on a scale from 1 to 100. (The higher the number, the
more stressful and illness prone, one is likely to be.)
Rating your own stress levels:
- Add up the scores for all the events you have experienced in
the last year.
- A score of 150 would result in a 50% chance of a change in
your health in the near future.
- A total over 300, a 90% chance - necessitating the need for
effective anti stress measures.
| 1 |
Death of spouse |
100 |
| 2 |
Divorce |
73 |
| 3 |
Marital separation |
65 |
| 4 |
Jail term |
63 |
| 5 |
Death of close family member |
63 |
| 6 |
Personal injury or illness |
53 |
| 7 |
Marriage |
50 |
| 8 |
Fired at work |
47 |
| 9 |
Marital reconciliation |
45 |
| 10 |
Retirement |
45 |
| 11 |
Change in health of family member |
44 |
| 12 |
Pregnancy |
40 |
| 13 |
Sex difficulties |
39 |
| 14 |
Gain of new family member |
39 |
| 15 |
Business readjustment |
39 |
| 16 |
Change in financial state |
38 |
| 17 |
Death of close friend |
37 |
| 18 |
Change to different line of work |
36 |
| 19 |
Change in number of arguments with
spouse |
35 |
| 20 |
Mortgage or loan for major
purchase (home, etc.) |
31 |
| 21 |
Foreclosure of mortgage or loan |
30 |
| 22 |
Change in responsibilities at work |
29 |
| 23 |
Son or daughter leaving home |
29 |
| 24 |
Trouble with in-laws |
29 |
| 25 |
Outstanding personal achievement |
28 |
| 26 |
Spouse begins or stops work |
26 |
| 27 |
Begin or end school |
26 |
| 28 |
Change in living conditions |
25 |
| 29 |
Revision of personal habits |
24 |
| 30 |
Trouble with boss |
23 |
| 31 |
Change in work hours or conditions |
20 |
| 32 |
Change in residence |
20 |
| 33 |
Change in schools |
20 |
| 34 |
Change in recreation |
19 |
| 35 |
Change in church activities |
19 |
| 36 |
Change in social activities |
18 |
| 37 |
Low to medium mortgage or loan
(car, TV) |
17 |
| 38 |
Altered sleeping habits |
16 |
| 39 |
Change in number of family
get-togethers |
15 |
| 40 |
Change in eating habits |
15 |
| 41 |
Vacation |
13 |
| 42 |
Christmas |
12 |
| 43 |
Minor violations of the law |
11 |
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