Too much stress!!!
We filled out a student stress scale today in my Kinesiology class. I scored a 311, which means I have a high health risk. We learned some time management and stress relief techniques that I really need to start using. For example: I need to prioritize certain things in my life: Reaching my life goal, things I have to do, and eliminating time wasters (T.V. is my worst one!). Setting goals and actually writing them down helps you focus on the important things in your life, and stop worrying about the unimportant things. I need to budget my time, visualize success and stop doubting myself. Writing down your problems can really help clear your mind and get things out of your head to stop worrying about. Mainly, I need to start eating healthier. It always seems like I'm in a hurry or I don't have time to go grocery shopping, so I find myself eating fast food quite a bit. I need to make time to enjoy myself and to just relax, rather than stressing out about summer school, student teaching, possibly quitting my job and moving back in with my parents, and graduating in May. I really wish I had time to start playing indoor soccer, too. Hopefully that will happen in the summer because I really enjoy it. Maybe I should just go take a bubble bath...
Fill out the stress scale yourself and see what you score. If it's as bad as mine, then try some of the techniques I've listed. It will be much better for you in the long run!
"The Student Stress Scale represents an adaptation of Holmes and Rahe's Life Events Scale. It has been modified to apply to college age adults and should be considered as a rough indication of stress levels and health consequences for teaching purposes.
In the Student Stress Scale each event, such as beginning or ending school, is given a score that represents the amount of readjustment a person has to make in life as a result of the change. In some studies people with serious illness hae been found to have high scores on similar scales. People with scores of 300 and higher have a high health risk. Subjects scoring between 150-300 points have about a 50-50 chance of serious health change within two years. Subjects scoring below 150 have a 1 in 3 chance of serious health change.
To determine your score, add up the number of points corresponding to the events you have experienced in the past six months or are likely to experience in the next six months. [If it has happened to you in the past 6 months AND it's going to happen to you in the next 6 months, then add that number twice.]
1. Death of a close family member..........100
2. Death of a close frined.....................73
3. Divorce between parents..................65
4. Jail Term......................................63
5. Major personal injury or illness............63
6. Marriage......................................58
7. Fired from a job.............................50
8. Failed important course....................47
9. Change in health of family member.......45
10. Pregnancy..................................45
11. Sex Problems...............................44
12. Serious argument with close friend......40
13. Change in financial status................39
14. Change in Major...........................39
15. Trouble with parents......................39
16. New girlfriend or boyfriend..............37
17. Increased workload at school...........37
18. Outstanding personal achievement....36
19. First quarter/semester in college.......36
20. Change in living conditions..............31
21. Serious argument with instructor.......30
22. Lower grades than expected...........29
23. Change in sleeping habits...............29
24. Change in social activities...............29
25. Change in eating habits.................28
26. Chronic car trouble......................26
27. Change in number of family get-togethers....26
28. Too many missed classes...............25
29. Change of college.......................24
30. Dropped more than one class.........23
31. Minor traffic violations.................20"
Also, ask yourself these yes or no questions:
Do you get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night?
Do you find yourself constantly multi-tasking ( if it includes trying to get stuff done while driving, like talking on the phone or eating, then STOP!)?
When you see a light turn yellow, do you always speed up for it because you're constantly in a hurry?
Do you eat healthy food?
Do you find yourself eating fast food because it's so convenient, quick, easy?
Do you take any time to just enjoy yourself?
Do you study 2-3 hours per class each night (yeah right!)?
Do you work at least 20 hours a week and go to school full-time (it sucks!!!)?
Hopefully, all of this information will make really make you stop and think about yourself and your life, like it did for me. It's time to make some changes!
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