After taking the Life Stress Inventory, the Coping and Stress Management Skills Test, and the Type A Personality Survey, I learned several things about how I respond to stress. On the Life Stress Inventory, I scored a 105, which suggests a moderate level of life stress. This makes sense given the responsibilities that come with school, work, and everyday life. On the Coping and Stress Management Skills Test, I scored an 11 out of 100, which indicates that I generally stay calm and relaxed rather than feeling overwhelmed by stress. I also scored a 38 out of 100 on the Type A Personality Survey, suggesting that while I can be motivated and competitive, I do not strongly exhibit the urgency or intensity associated with a strong Type A personality.
These results showed me that although I tend to remain calm under pressure, it is still important to develop habits that help manage stress over time. As I move forward in my professional career, I can manage stress by maintaining regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and managing my time effectively. Setting boundaries between work and personal life will also help prevent burnout and allow time to recharge.
Stress and employee health are growing concerns for many organizations. As a result, many companies are investing in wellness programs to support employees’ physical and mental health. Research shows that workplace wellness programs can improve employee well-being and help reduce healthcare costs for organizations (Berry et al., 2011). In addition, employees increasingly value benefits that support their overall well-being, such as flexible schedules and mental health resources (Jones, 2017). These programs help organizations create healthier and more productive workplaces.
Overall, these assessments helped me better understand how I handle stress and the importance of maintaining healthy habits throughout my career.
References
American Institute of Stress. (2023). Workplace stress. https://www.stress.org/workplace-stress
Berry, L., Mirabito, A., & Baun, W. (2011). What’s the hard return on employee wellness programs? Harvard Business Review, 89(3), 20–21.
Buckingham, M., & Coffman, C. (2016). First, break all the rules: What the world’s greatest managers do differently (2020 ed.). Gallup Press.
Jones, K. (2017, April 15). The most desirable employee benefits. Harvard Business Review.