Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale

The following is an easy interactive stress test based on the research done by Holmes and Rahe*. It is designed to assess possible health risks, based on the things that have happened in your life in the last year. Below are a variety of possible ‘normal’ life events. Simply add up the numbers on the right of each event that has occurred in your life in the last 12 months Just click the checkboxes that apply to you, then click the "show results" button at the bottom. Death of a Spouse: 100 Divorce  73 Marital Separation 65 Detention in jail or institution 63 Death of a close family member 63 Major personal injury or illness 53 Marriage 50 Being fired at work 47 Marital reconciliation 45 Retirement 45 Major change in health or behavior of a family member 44 Pregnancy 40 Sexual Difficulty 40 Gaining a new family member through birth, adoption or remarriage 39 Major business readjustments 39 Major change in financial state 38 Death of a close friend: 37 Change to a different line of work 36 Major increase in fights with spouse 35 Taking on a mortgage 31 Foreclosure on a mortgage or loan 30 Major change in responsibility at work 29 Son or daughter leaving home 29 In-Law troubles 29 Outstanding personal achievement 28 Spouse begins to cease work outside of home 26 Go back to school 26 Major change in living condition (rebuilding, remodeling) 25 Revision of personal habits 24 Troubles with superior, boss 23 Major change in working hours, conditions 20 Change in residence 20 Change to a new school 20 Major change in usual type and/or amount of recreation 19 Major change in church activities 19 Major change in social activities 18 Purchasing a new car, or other big purchase 17 Major change in sleeping habits 16 Major change in number of family get-to-gethers 15 Major change in eating habits 15 Vacation 13 Christmas or holiday observance 12 Minor violations of the law 11 ---

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Below 150 - 35% chance of illness or accident within 2 years

Between 150 - 300 - 51% chance of illness or accident

Over 300 - 80% chance of illness or accident, heart attack imminent, take care, see a doctor.

These predictions are not absolute. Health changes are the result of many different factors, including how significant those life events are to you, your personal capacity to cope with change, and the available support through family, work and friends. However, knowing your risks will give you an advantage of seeking body and soul health and finding spiritual refreshment before burnout steals your joy.


Psalm 18

1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
       my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
       He is my shield and the horn [a] of my salvation, my stronghold.

 3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
       and I am saved from my enemies.

 4 The cords of death entangled me;
       the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

 5 The cords of the grave [b] coiled around me;
       the snares of death confronted me.

 6 In my distress I called to the LORD;
       I cried to my God for help.
       From his temple he heard my voice;
       my cry came before him, into his ears.

 7 The earth trembled and quaked,
       and the foundations of the mountains shook;
       they trembled because he was angry.

 8 Smoke rose from his nostrils;
       consuming fire came from his mouth,
       burning coals blazed out of it.

 9 He parted the heavens and came down;
       dark clouds were under his feet.

 10 He mounted the cherubim and flew;
       he soared on the wings of the wind.

 11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
       the dark rain clouds of the sky.

 12 Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
       with hailstones and bolts of lightning.

 13 The LORD thundered from heaven;
       the voice of the Most High resounded. [c]

 14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies ,
       great bolts of lightning and routed them.

 15 The valleys of the sea were exposed
       and the foundations of the earth laid bare
       at your rebuke, O LORD,
       at the blast of breath from your nostrils.

 16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
       he drew me out of deep waters.

 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
       from my foes, who were too strong for me.

 18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
       but the LORD was my support.

 19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
       he rescued me because he delighted in me.

You are loved, seek Him and your burden will become lighter.


*Ref: Holmes & Rahe (1967) Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 11:213-219.