I mentioned in a recent post that my life has been rather complicated in the last 3 years or so. That is, indeed, a true statement. There is a list called the "Life Event Stress Ratings". In this list are about 25 things that can cause stress in your life. They are rated according to the significance or stress in your life that these might cause. But checking through this list and checking some of these events and then adding up the points you have accumulated, you then are given somewhat of a broad risk percentage of some sort of illness or mental anxiety state might occur. Below is this list and my rating. 

The Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory 

The Social Readjustment Rating Scale INSTRUCTIONS: Mark down the point value of each of these life events that has happened to you during the previous year. Total these associated pointed. Life Event 1. Death of spouse 100 2. Divorce 73 3. Marital Separation from mate 65 4. Detention in jail or other institution 63 5. Death of a close family member 63 6. Major personal injury or illness 53 7. Marriage 50 8. Being fired at work 47 9. Marital reconciliation with mate 45 10. Retirement from work 45 11. Major change in the health or behavior of a family member 44 12. Pregnancy 40 13. Sexual Difficulties 39 14. Gaining a new family member (i.e. birth, adoption, older adult moving in, etc.) 39 15. Major business adjustment 39 16. Major change in financial state (i.e. a lot worse or better than usual) 38 17. Death of a close friend 37 18. Changing to a different line of work 36 19. Major change in number of arguments with spouse (i.e. a lot more or less) 35 20. Taking on a mortgage (for home, business, etc.) 31 21. Foreclosure on a mortgage or loan 30 22. Major change in responsibilities at work (i.e. promotion, demotion, etc.) 29 23. Son or daughter leaving home (marriage, college, military, etc.) 29 24. In-law troubles 29 25. Outstanding personal achievement 28 26. Spouse beginning or ceasing work outside the home 26 27. Beginning or ceasing formal schooling 26 28. Major change in living condition (i.e. new home, remodeling, deterioration, etc.) 25 29. Revision of personal habits (i.e. dress, associations, quit smoking, etc.) 24 30. Troubles with the boss 23 31. Major changes in working hours or conditions 20 32. Changes in residence 20 33. Changing to a new school 20 34. Major change in usual type and/or amount of recreation 19 35. Major change in church activity (i.e. a lot more or less) 19 36. Major change in social activities (i.e. clubs, movies, visiting, etc.) 18 37. Taking on a loan (i.e. car, tv, freezer, etc.) 17 38. Major change in sleeping habits (i.e. a lot more or less) 16 39. Major change in number of family get-togethers (i.e. a lot more or less) 15 40. Major change in eating habits (i.e. a lot more or less, eating hours, surroundings, etc) 15 41. Vacation 13 42. Major holidays 12 43. Minor violations of the law (i.e. traffic tickets, jaywalking, etc.) 11 Now, add up al the points you have to find your score. 150pts or less means a relatively low amount of life change and a low susceptibility to stress-induce health problems. 150 to 300pts implies about a 50% chance of a major stress-induced health problem in the next 2 years. 300pts or more raises the odds to about 80%, according to the Holmes-Rahe prediction model. Sources: Adapted from Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe. Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale, Journal of Psychosomatic Research. Vol II, 1967. 

    About 2 years ago, I achieved enough points to raise my risk of stress induced illness. I sold my large home that my husband and I built, and moved to a smaller condo. During the beginning of that year, I placed my husband in a Memory Unit, and we underwent the Covid 19 epidemic, during which I had Covid 19 twice though I kept up with every new vaccine offered. Neither of these episodes were severe, but the fear of them was at times severe. The my husband passed away. I joined a new church and sought and joined and started to participate in two new social organizations. (Note: Some of these life events are not bad; indeed they are usually associated with joy, but they are big changes in one's life.)

    Looking at all this info, and adding up my experiences, I accumulated over 150 points for two years in a row. Thankfully, the past 1 year has been much more settled and I do feel that I have adjusted to my new settings and life circumstances. So far no severe illness. 

    What can we do to alter the bad effects of large scores on this list. Well, reducing stress for each or any of these events that occur, would be good. Balanced diet, enough sleep, medical care and monitoring, meditation, prayer or whatever spiritual tradition with which one is comfortable, and of course, support of loved ones and friends. These are all the things we usually read about. Also, can we plan our lives to some extent to avoid compiling too many of these changes in one year. Perhaps. I do regard my life for the most part as having been remarkable and very positive. Perhaps that has given me the resilience necessary to weave my way through all thee changes. May such changes for you be gentle and well tolerated. My blessing to you!