subject: Popular Stress Scale [print this page] The Holmes-Rahe stress scale is one of the most popular stress scales used to determine stress and the likelihood of illness. Many people are surprised when they read through the Holmes-Rahe list of stressors since not all stressors come from negative events.
For example, getting married is perceptually the happiest day of a couple's life. However, the preparation, anticipation and stress that come prior can sometimes lead to illness. Therefore, this event is used on the Holmes-Rahe and factored even higher than some, negative life events.Being accepted into college is another, major life event that causes a significant amount of stress. From an outsiders perspective these events may seem like they would be positive, but to the person undergoing significant change in their lives it can be very stressful and sometimes burdensome.
In this way, positive stress can actually have the same physical effects as negative stress on a person's well-being. It may seem like avoiding stress would be the best way to deal with it. However, avoiding stress can actually make things worse - since stress is unavoidable. When a person "avoids" stress they really only suppress negative feelings, which causes them to become dormant somewhere in the body. Some people hold stress in their necks, head or shoulders, others may suffer stomach problems or even cancer. In any event, these feelings will rise up, but as they stay dormant they can become the root for physical illness.
The best way to overcome both types of stress are to tackle them head and to practice positive, coping mechanisms. Smoking, drinking and suppression are on the short list of negative, coping skills. So, what are positive, coping skills? Here are a few examples -
Go outdoors
Practice deep, abdominal breathing
Yoga
Reading a magazine
Anything that makes you feel good and enhances your well-being could be considered a positive, coping skill. The Holmes-Rahe stress scale is a good way to observe what type of stress you are under before moving forward and deciding how to handle your stress.
