I recently took the Life Stress Inventory, Coping and Stress Management Skills test, and Type A Personality Survey, and the results gave me quite a bit to think about. My Life Stress came in at 310, which basically means that I am at a 50:50 chance of experiencing an accident or illness. Not exactly terrifying, but it made me realize that I need to pay more attention to how stress affects my body and my daily choices.
My Coping and Stress Management score was 41. According to the results, I actually have some problem-focused strategies I could use, which work best when stressors are things I can control. The best part? I rarely use them. This hit me hard. I’m letting manageable stressors slide instead of taking control. Moving forward I want to be more intentional about tackling the stress I can influence, like planning my week better or addressing tasks before they pile up.
I’ve always known that I lean toward a Type A personality, so the results weren’t all that surprising. Still, the survey itself was eye-opening. Scoring a 63 indicates that impatience and frustration frequently influence my daily interactions. This tendency can not only strain relationships but also pose long-term health risks, such as heart disease. Seeing the score was a wake up call to slow down, practice more patience, and be more intentional about how I respond to stress.
After doing a little research, I have found that many organizations are aware of these challenges. Companies are offering things like wellness programs, mental health resources, and flexible schedules to help employees manage stress and maintain well-being. It’s encouraging to see workplaces taking proactive steps.
As I move through college, my professional career and just day-to-day life, I plan to focus on strategies like mindfulness, exercise, and better time management. If I start applying these consistently, I hope to handle stress more effectively, protect my health, and impove my relationships with others along the way.