I decided today that if I am to make this a legitimate experiment I need something to measure. It's humorous for me to think that I am conducting "research" of my own free will. I've talked myself out of a doctorate degree so many times because I know it would mean conducting experiments/research/analysis and taking statistics. While I'm not interested in taking any such classes, I'm quite happy to be conducting this experiment! Now that I've talked that through, on with the measuring.
As for my physical self, I am a 40 year old woman. 5' 3" and today after lunch with boots on I weighed 140 pounds. Full disclosure here. I trust all my friends and readers to use this knowledge for good and not for evil. I am 4 months postpartum and slowly looking for ways to increase my physical activity, that is other than the activity required in raising 4 boys ages 4 and under and working 2 part time jobs. At this time, however, those activities are about all that I participate in. Our family has recently opened a membership at the local YMCA. In the last three weeks I believe I have been there 3 times.
Because this Mediterranean experiment is not just about weight I thought it would be important to also measure my stress level. I found this stress test on www.anxietycentre.com. I've seen it before and was actually looking for this particular one. I appreciate the all-encompassing nature of the events listed. Those who know me well are aware of the fact that I, in the past, have dealt with anxiety and panic attacks. That's not to say that when I'm in the midst of something rough these days I don't have to utilize my coping skills to stave off full-fledged anxiety, however, it isn't commonplace as it used to be.
My panic attacks started around the time when I met and fell head over heels in love with my now-husband in 2005. Dating him and being engaged long distance was stressful, as was planning a wedding. My panic attacks intensified and after just one month of marriage the panic attacks were so extreme that they were impacting my ability to work. It was then that I realized even "good" stress can have negative consequences on a person. So I increased my study and practice of relaxation and guided imagery at that time. I also increased prayer and personal time.
It has been probably 4 years since I've had a I'm-going-to-die-I-have-to-pull-the-car-over-I-can't-even-see-straight panic attack (thank the living God!) but anxiety that tempts my body to overreact still lingers and tugs at me from time to time.
Today, according to this chosen measure for stress, my stress level is low to moderate. I've shared it here with you. Again, full disclosure, information to be used for good not evil.
| Event | No | Yes |
| Death of spouse | ||
| Divorce | ||
| Marital separation, major relationship problems | ||
| Jail term | ||
| Death of a close family member | ||
| Experiencing anxiety conditon or panic attacks | ||
| Significant financial problems | ||
| Personal injury, illness, or health concern | ||
| Recent Marriage (within 6 months) | ||
| Fired at work | ||
| Marital reconciliation | ||
| Retirement | ||
| Loss (lost or death) of a family pet | ||
| Family member illness | ||
| Working on a stressful project | ||
Move (home, new city or country) within 6 months | ||
| Pregnancy | ||
| Sex difficulties | ||
| Gain of new family member | ||
| Business change (changes of, or at work) | ||
| Significant change in financial state | ||
| Death of a close friend | ||
| Career change / looking for work | ||
| Change in number of arguments with spouse | ||
| Mortgage over $100,000 | ||
| Foreclosure of mortgage or loan | ||
| Change in responsibilities at work | ||
| Son or daughter leaving home | ||
| Trouble with in-laws | ||
| Outstanding personal achievement | ||
| Spouse begins or stops work | ||
| Begin or end school | ||
| Medical concern | ||
| Change in living conditions | ||
| Change of personal habits | ||
| Trouble with boss | ||
| Change in work hours or conditions | ||
| Regularly working more than 10 hours per day | ||
| Not taking regular rest breaks or vacations | ||
| Change in residence | ||
| Change in schools | ||
| Christmas (3 months prior to or after) | ||
| Trouble with co-worker, friend | ||
| Change in recreation | ||
| Change church or church activities | ||
| Mortgage or loan less than $100,000 | ||
| Less than 6 hours of sleep on average per night | ||
| Change in number of family get-togethers | ||
| Change in eating habits | ||
| Vacation | ||
| Minor violations of the law |
| 0 - 150 | Low to moderate stress If you have scored in this range, you may want to learn and apply stress management and stress reduction strategies in order to prevent the negative consequences of stress build-up. Since stress is the number one cause of illness and disease, learning and regularly applying stress reducing strategies can help to ensure long-term good health. Persons with a low stress tolerance, however, may find themselves over stressed even with a score of 150. The stress reduction information in the member’s area of this web site may be very helpful to you, in this regard. NOTE: Studies have shown that people with sustained stress in this range have a 0 - 37% chance of developing a serious illness. |
| ============================================= | |
| Adapted from the "Social Readjustment Rating Scale" by Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe. This scale was first published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 1967, vol. II p. 214. | |
The Mediterranean way of eating and way of life is also said to rewind aging. I'm not sure how to measure that, short of taking pictures of my laugh lines when I'm smiling or of my forehead/brows when I'm pensive or even the back of my hand. I'll continue to contemplate this. For now, I believe I'm off to a good start.
Truth be told, this is a lot of information about me. I am beginning to feel my stress level rising as I contemplate pushing the "publish" button. I will publish and then I think I'll go do some deep breathing...
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