Do You Cope with Change?

Many studies have found that people who experience multiple significant life changes in their lives within a short period of time are more prone to illnesses. But even more surprising, illness seems to be correlated with any type of change. In other words, change itself is stressful, and whether the change is positive or negative may be irrelevant to the level of stress we experience. What’s more relevant is that change can trigger the feeling of loss of control, and that having good coping skills can help us manage change and the accompanying stress.

The Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, developed by psychiatrists Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe, demonstrates the relationship between significant life changes, stress and the resulting impact on health.

To assess your risk for stress-triggered illnesses, add the Life Change Units for each life event or stressor that you experienced during the past year. Your total score may reflect your level of risk for illness (high, moderate or slight) and help you analyze how well you manage stress.

SCORING

• 300 or higher represents a high risk of illness.
• 150-299 represents moderate risk of illness.
• 150 or less represents only a slight risk of illness.

Holmes and Rahe found that a score of 300 leads to a 90% chance of developing an illness, having an accident or “blowing up.” A score of 150 leads to a 50-50 chance.

Non-Adults

SCORING

• 300 or higher represents a high risk of illness.
• 150-299 represents moderate risk of illness.
• 150 or less represents only a slight risk of illness.