Monday, November 30, 2009

Your Health: More Than Meets The Eye

In the world of natural health, being healthy is more than just passing a physical exam at your doctor's office or having all normal lab results. The whole person should be considered, and your emotional and mental states are no exception.

Studies have shown that major events and stressors in your life can actually predispose you to illness later on down the road. This Social Readjustment Scale helps determine how likely you are to become ill.  It was published based on the work of two psychiatrists in the 1960s and is still used today! The results may surprise you. I got over 300. Ugh. See how you stack up after the jump.

Death of a spouse

100
Divorce
73
Marital separation
65
Imprisonment
63
Death of a close family member
63
Personal injury or illness
53
Marriage
50
Dismissal from work
47
Marital reconciliation
45
Retirement
45
Change in health of family member
44
Pregnancy
40
Sexual difficulties
39
Gain a new family member
39
Business readjustment
39
Change in financial state
38
Change in frequency of arguments
35
Major mortgage
32
Foreclosure of mortgage or loan
30
Change in responsibilities at work
29
Child leaving home
29
Trouble with in-laws
29
Outstanding personal achievement
28
Spouse starts or stops work
26
Begin or end school
26
Change in living conditions
25
Revision of personal habits
24
Trouble with boss
23
Change in working hours or conditions
20
Change in residence
20
Change in schools
20
Change in recreation
19
Change in church activities
19
Change in social activities
18
Minor mortgage or loan
17
Change in sleeping habits
16
Change in number of family reunions
15
Change in eating habits
15
Vacation
13
Christmas
12
Minor violation of law
1

Score of 300+:  At risk of illness.
Score of 150-299+:  Risk of illness is moderate (reduced by 30% from the above risk).
Score 150-: Only have a slight risk of illness.

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