Resources and Tools - Questionnaires

< Back

Stress Awareness Tool

This self-assessment tool does not diagnose or directly measure your level of stress. Based on your responses to the questions below, it indicates the extent to which you could be vulnerable to stress-related problems associate with a contemporary lifestyle.

Stress is a physical and psychological phenomenon. It can negatively influence your health, quality of life, and interactions with others (partners, family members, friends, co-workers, supervisors, etc.). Stress triggers an automatic “fight or flight” response in the brain, which occurs in response to difficult or challenging situations. This “built in” response is intended to help people avoid or manage (real or imagined) situations or challenges, whether the setting is at work, at home, in rest or at play.

Low to moderate levels of stress can be motivating and contribute to individual success and accomplishment. Distress is most frequently experienced when the demands, expectations, responsibilities and requirements on an individual are greater than his or her knowledge, experience, skills, coping abilities, or available resources. Chronic distress is negative and can be overwhelming – leading to exhaustion, impaired work performance, mood changes, impaired sleep, injury, illness, mental health problems and relationship difficulties.

Disclaimer: This awareness tool is intended to increase recognition of stress and lifestyle factors that frequently contribute to stress. This awareness tool is not to be used to diagnose or measure stress. A thorough evaluation by your physician or other health care provider is required to diagnose any stress related health problems. If you are concerned about the level of stress in your life book an appointment to see a Hurst Place counsellor.

Instructions: Read each sentence carefully then select the response that best describes how you have felt over the past two months.

1. I get at least 6 to 8 hours of restful, uninterrupted sleep each night:
Almost Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Quite Often
Most Of The Time


2. I make time to enjoy at least one healthy, nutritionally balanced meal each day:
Almost Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Quite Often
Most Of The Time


3. I drink caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, or soda) throughout the day and evening:
Almost Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Quite Often
Most Of The Time


4. I tend to have a short fuse or become impatient/irritated when things don’t go as I expect them to:
Almost Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Quite Often
Most Of The Time


5. When I am busy at work or have deadlines I have difficulty making time for or enjoying leisure activities:
Almost Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Quite Often
Most Of The Time


6. I exercise (walk, jog, swim, bike, or participate in a sport) for at least 20 minutes three times a week:
Almost Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Quite Often
Most Of The Time


7. I feel that I am able to effectively manage and perform my duties, assignments and projects at work, home or school:
Almost Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Quite Often
Most Of The Time


8. At the end of the day I relax and spend time doing things other than thinking about work, school or financial responsibilities:
Almost Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Quite Often
Most Of The Time


9. I tend to avoid to put off doing necessary tasks (meetings, conversations, chores, deadlines, etc) that I find unpleasant:
Almost Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Quite Often
Most Of The Time


10. I find it easy to ask others (co-workers, supervisors, friends or family members) for assistance when I need a helping hand:
Almost Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Quite Often
Most Of The Time

< Back