The link between stress and physical and emotional problems is well established. If stress is constant and intense the stress
hormones that are produced in stressful situations are not “used up”. There are generally just too many of them. As a result our
heart rate goes up, our blood pressure increases and tension is put on our arteries which in turn stresses our internal organs and
muscles. How we handle stress and burn off the excess hormones is a key to how our body adapts to stress. On the following
lists check your response to stress to see how well you are adapting to the stress in your life.
Your Response to Stress
Column 1 Column 2
Become Aggressive _____ Listen to music _____
Drink coffee or tea _____ Watch television _____
Yell or swear _____ Read a book _____
Drink or smoke _____ Write a journal _____
Take medications _____ Exercise _____
Eat comfort foods _____ Take a Nap _____
Unable to eat _____ Take a shower _____
Cry or withdraw _____ Sit in a quiet place _____
Chew fingernails _____ Attend social events _____
Negative talk _____ Buy something _____
Get drunk or high _____ Physical labor _____
Drive fast _____ Pray _____
Think about suicide _____ Play a game _____
Break something _____ Talk with friends _____
Total Column 1 _____ Total Column 2 _____
Responses from both columns enable our body to deal with stress. Activities from both columns enable our bodies to eliminate the
stress hormones from our body enabling us to “adjust” to the stress in our lives. The concern is that items from column one are
not as effective and do not work in the long term to reduce stress hormones. If you responded with five or more items in column
one you are a risk to become a victim of stress over time. The goal is to be able to handle stress with items in column two on a
regular basis to enable your body to avoid the long term health effects of stress.
For Additional Information:
FAMILY SERVICE INC
800-589-1974/fsisd.org
How You Handle Stress