Provision #617: Stressful Symptoms

by Bob Tschannen-Moran

Laser Provision

Stress is not always caused by significant events. Other contributing factors include mental models, daily habits, relational dynamics, and environmental factors. Whatever the cause, it's important to understand the scope of the problem. Last week we looked at a stressful event scale. This week, we present a stressful symptom scale so you can see how much stress is manifesting in your life. It's neither healthy nor productive to be stressed out; this Provision will help you to know where you stand.

LifeTrek Provision

Note that the total of each column is a weighted total. That means you do not just add up the number of items checked in each column. You add up the number of items checked and multiply by the rating scale. If you marked three items as being Severe and Often, for example, then your total for column five is fifteen (3 x 5) not three. And if you marked twenty-five items as being Not a Problem, then your total for column one is zero (25 x 0) not twenty-five. The grand total is the sum of the five weighted totals.

How much is too much when it comes to your stress symptoms? According to Dr. Yarnell, that's just 20 or more. At that point, stress is starting to take a toll on your happiness, health, and functionality. But then I probably didn't have to tell you that. If you have severe and frequent panic attacks, for example, sending you to the emergency room for treatment, then you're probably pretty debilitated on that count alone (even if your total number is less than 20). Throw in a few others and it's time to address all five of the underlying causes of stress: mental models, daily habits, relational dynamics, environmental factors, and significant events.

We'll be spending a lot of time on the antidotes to stress in the weeks ahead. For now, I just want you to gain an awareness of the stress you are experiencing. Most of us dismiss stress as an inevitable part of life; it is what it is, we think, and we just have to tough it out until it passes. We do not always appreciate that stress comes in degrees, that high stress can be as life threatening as any other malady, and that we have the ability to ameliorate stress if we choose to do so. If we find ourselves scoring high on one or more of the stress index scales, it's time to STOP:

• Step back
• Think
• Organize our thoughts
• Proceed

If you find it challenging to STOP on your own, then it's time to call a friend, hire a coach, see a doctor, and/or try other approaches until you find one that works for you. I know many of my clients appreciate the STOP that coaching conversations represent in their lives. They might not take that time on their own, but they will talk things through over the phone or on Skype when they put those appointments on their calendar. If nothing else, such conversations quench the flames of stress at which point it becomes possible to engage more happily and productively with life.

Coaching Inquiries: How many symptoms of stress do you experience on a regular basis? How much of a toll do you think they are taking on your life? What would enable you to manage them better? Who could you talk with to sort this through before proceeding?

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LifeTrek Readers' Forum (selected feedback from the past week)

Editor's Note: The LifeTrek Readers' Forum contains selections from the comments and materials sent in each week by the readers of LifeTrek Provisions. They do not necessarily reflect the perspective of LifeTrek Coaching International. To submit your comment, use our Feedback Form or Email Bob..