An organization's fitness to compete successfully depends on its social capital-the collective value of people who know each other and what they'll do for each other.

Re-Sources Organizational Support Newsletter

Do You Know What Your Stress Level Is?

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Stress can be difficult to understand. Strangely, we are not always aware that we are under stress. The habits, attitudes and signs that can alert us to problems may be hard to recognize because they have become so familiar. With this in mind here is a quick checklist to help you locate yourself in the "stress standings".*

DO YOU FREQUENTLY:

  • Neglect your diet?
  • Try to do everything yourself?
  • Blow up easily?
  • Seek unrealistic goals?
  • Fail to see the humour in situations others find funny?
  • Act rude?
  • Make a "big deal" of everything?
  • Look to other people to make things happen?
  • Have difficulty making decisions?
  • Complain you are disorganized?
  • Avoid people whose ideas are different than your own?
  • Keep everything inside?
  • Neglect exercise?
  • Have few supportive relationships?
  • Use sleeping pills and tranquilizers without a doctor's approval?
  • Get too little rest?
  • Get angry when you are kept waiting?
  • Ignore stress symptoms?
  • Put things off until later?
  • Think there is only one right way to do something?
  • Fail to build relaxation time into your day?
  • Gossip?
  • Race through the day?
  • Spend a lot of time complaining about the past?
  • Fail to get a break from noise and crowds?

Score 1 for each YES answer, 0 for each NO

1 - 6: There are few hassles in your life. Make sure that you are not trying so hard to avoid problems that you shy away from challenges altogether.

7 - 13: You've got your life in fairly good control. Work on the choices and habits that could be causing you unnecessary stress in your life.

14 - 20: You're approaching the danger zone. You may well be suffering stress-related symptoms and your relationships could be strained. Take steps to better control of your life.

Above 20: Emergency! You are at risk of emotional chaos and a poor physical health. Don't wait another day to begin looking after yourself better.

*from the booklet "Coping With Stress" by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Canadian Mental Health Association.