Nowadays most of us are familiar with the idea that life events cause stress and that stress can cause illness. The original work in this area was done in 1967 by two US psychiatrists, Drs Holmes and Rahe, whose research led to the establishment of a correlation between the experience of certain life events and the likelihood of someone becoming ill. The tables developed from their work are reproduced below.

When you are looking at these tables please bear in mind that they were produced in USA, about US citizens at a particular time, the late 1960s.

In UK in 2012 the order of significant events is likely to be different, with “Change in residence” coming much higher up, particularly if that change involves selling and buying property.

What is important is the support they give to the idea that if we experience difficult and painful emotional and/or intellectual circumstances, our bodies will reflect our pain and will share our suffering.  We are whole, complex and unified organisms, our various parts do not co-exist in separate compartments labelled Mind, Body, Emotions, Spirit/Soul.  Our immune systems can and will be depleted when we are more than usually stressed – this can be measured by simple stress tests.  We have all heard about heart attacks striking people who are experiencing unusual stress and tensions in their family or their work.  And at the same time, as has been stated in another article, (Personal Stress Management Part 1), we all need a certain amount of stress in order to survive.  A human without any stress would be like an amoeba without any surface tension.  That human would lack the heightened awareness which can be an important survival tool, whether s/he is fleeing from a sabre-toothed tiger or dealing with a recalcitrant teenager or a difficult situation at work.

So what can we do to keep ourselves in good shape, given that it is not possible nor desirable to avoid all stressful situations?

We can try to keep ourselves both fit and healthy, by watching our diet, our weight, how much exercise we take, our work/life balance.  Easier said than done, of course, but if we are aware of the potential problems we can all find room for some positive adjustments in one or more areas.  For example, walking rather than taking the bus or car for short journeys, snacking on fruit or raw vegetables rather than chocolate or biscuits, having a break at lunchtime by getting out instead of eating sandwiches at our desks – these are now so well known that they are almost clichés, but please don’t discount them because of this. They work.

If you feel that you need help and support while you get to grips with stress related issues, one of the qualified and experienced counsellors at Birmingham Counselling Services could be there to accompany you on your life-changing journey.  Get in touch with us by telephoning 0121 314 9903 or via our website: www.BirminghamCounsellingServices.co.uk

The Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Scale

Life event – Adult	Life change units
Death of a spouse	100
Divorce	73
Marital separation	65
Imprisonment	63
Death of a close family member	63
Personal injury or illness	53
Marriage	50
Dismissal from work	47
Marital reconciliation	45
Retirement	45
Change in health of family member	44
Pregnancy	40
Sexual difficulties	39
Gain a new family member	39
Business readjustment	39
Change in financial state	38
Death of a close friend	37
Change to different line of work	36
Change in frequency of arguments	35
Major mortgage	32
Foreclosure of mortgage or loan	30
Change in responsibilities at work	29
Child leaving home	29
Trouble with in-laws	29
Outstanding personal achievement	28
Spouse starts or stops work	26
Begin or end school	26
Change in living conditions	25
Revision of personal habits	24
Trouble with boss	23
Change in working hours or conditions	20
Change in residence	20
Change in schools	20
Change in recreation	19
Change in church activities	19
Change in social activities	18
Minor mortgage or loan	17
Change in sleeping habits	16
Change in number of family reunions	15
Change in eating habits	15
Vacation	13
Christmas	12
Minor violation of law	11

Score of 300+: At risk of illness.

Score of 150-299+: Risk of illness is moderate (reduced by 30% from the above risk).

Score 150-: Only have a slight risk of illness.

 

Life Events – Non Adult	Life Change Units
Unplanned pregnancy/abortion	100
Unplanned pregnancy of sister	64
Suspension from school	50
Serious illness requiring hospitalization	58
Outstanding personal achievement	46
Not making an extracurricular activity	55
Mother or father beginning work	26
Marriage of parent to stepparent	63
Marital separation of parents	69
Loss of job by parent	46
Jail sentence of parent for over one year	70
Jail sentence of parent for over 30 days	53
Increased absence of parent from home	38
Increase in arguments between parents	47
Hospitalization of a sibling	41
Hospitalization of a parent	55
Having a visible congenital deformity	62
Getting married	95
Fathering a child	70
Failure of a grade in school	56
Divorce of parents	90
Discovery of being an adopted child	63
Decrease in arguments with parents	26
Decrease in arguments between parents	27
Death of parent	100
Death of a close friend	63
Death of a brother or sister	68
Change in parent’s financial status	45
Change in acceptance by peers	67
Brother or sister leaving home	37
Breaking up with boyfriend or girlfriend	53
Birth of a brother or sister	50
Being a senior in high school	42
Beginning to date	51
Becoming involved with drugs or alcohol	50
Becoming a full fledged member of a church	31
Addition of third adult to family	34
Acquiring a visible deformity	80
Accepted at college of choice	43

Score of 300+: At risk of illness.

Score of 150-299+: Risk of illness is moderate. (reduced by || 30% from the above risk)

Score 150-: Slight risk of illness.