COPING WITH STRESS - IDENTIFY YOUR OWN WEAKNESSES AND STRENGTHS

Photos by Tim

The following are a list of questions grouped together to help identify your strengths and weaknesses. I have NOT included a correct or incorrect information page. To asses yourself, click each true of false question, when you get to the 'clear/test' icon you click 'clear' if you aren't happy with your response or click 'test' to get a number, write this down, and continue each section in the same manner. At the end, add up your score for each section, this will give you your strengths and weaknesses.

This is one of the first big steps in reducing the effects of stress in your life. In a one to one session, this would be the grounding for future work. By knowing your strengths and weaknesses it does help identify problem areas which can be worked on with more appropriate techniques. If you have problems, send me an email with your answers and I will email the results back.

Please click each statement with either true or false.

KNOWLEDGE OF STRESS.

Stress is always bad for your health
True False

Too little stress can be as bad as too much
True False

We all need some stress
True False

Some people can cope with more stress
True False

We can train ourselves to cope with more stress
True False

0 - 2 = low knowledge of stress, 3 = moderate knowledge of stress, 4 - 5 = high knowledge of stress.

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TIME MANAGEMENT.

I never seem to have enough time.
True False

I rarely get things done on time
True False

I can always find time for myself
True False

I keep a list of things I need to do
True False

0 - 2 = poor time management skills, 3 = moderate time management skills, 4 = high time management skills

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ASSERTIVENESS.

I enjoy receiving compliments
True False

I have difficulty asking for help
True False

I can start a conversation with strangers
True False

I find saying 'thank you' easy
True False

I have difficulty telling people I like them
True False

I can give compliments without embarrassment
True False

I never show it when I'm hurt
True False

When I'm angry I say so
True False

I can't say no
True False

I'm always prepared to give an opinion
True False

I'm not god at making complaints
True False

0 - 4 = unassertive, 5 - 8 = moderately assertive, 9 - 11 = assertive.

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GOAL SETTING.

I know what is important to me
True False

My plans often do not work
True False

I get good ideas that go nowhere
True False

I feel its up to me to make things happen
True False

0 - 2 = low ability to set and achieve goals, 3 = moderate ability to set and achieve goals, 4 = high ability to set and achieve goals.

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DECISISIVNESS.

I have difficulty making up my mind
TrueFalse

I am good at thinking of alternative solutions
TrueFalse

I weigh advantages /disadvantages of choices
TrueFalse

I take responsibility for out comes of my choices
TrueFalse

Sometimes its better to delay making a decision.
TrueFalse

0 - 2 = low decisiveness skills, 3 = moderate decisiveness skills, 4 - 5 = high decisiveness skills

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SELF ESTEEM AND POSITIVE THINKING.

I must be liked by everyone
True False

I must be perfect in all that I do
True False

When things go wrong I get angry and depressed
True False

I have little control over what happens to me
True False

It's easier to avoid difficulties than to face them.
True False

I cannot change who I am.
True False

People are fragile and we should not hurt them.
True False

Anger is always bad and destructive.
True False

we should always try to please others first.
True False

We can only be happy with other people.
True False

0 - 3 = low self esteem and negative thinking, 4 - 6 = moderate self esteem and positive thinking, 7 - 10 = high self esteem and positive thinking

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FITNESS.

I always use the stairs instead of a lift
True False

I'm on my feet for 2-3 hors a day
True False

I lift something heavy at least once a day
True False

I ride a bike regularly
True False

I run at least a mile a week
True False

I run at least a mile three times a week
True False

I play a strenuous sport at least once a week
True False

I do regular exercise
True False

I do something strenuous each day
True False

0 - 4 = not fit, 5 - 6 = moderately fit, 7 - 8 = very fit.

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HEALTH.

I do not smoke
True False

I hardly ever drink or don't drink at all
True False

I get seven or eight hours sleep a night
True False

I eat regular meals and no snacks
True False

I eat a regular healthy breakfast
True False

I get regular exercise
True False

My body weight is right for my size
True False

0 - 3 = poor health habits, 4 - 5 = moderate health habits, 6 - 7 = healthy habits.

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You have nearly finished, all that is left is for you to identify and write a list of 10 things you enjoy doing - hobbies/interests etc. If you can list ten then you have a high ability to care for yourself. If it was lower you have a lower ability to care for yourself.

What does all this mean? What you need to do now is total all your scores from the questionnaire, the maximum score is 65 {questions 1 - 55 + 10} (10 being the list of things you enjoy doing), if you only managed 5 items your score would be the total from the questionnaire plus 5 points from the list of things you enjoy doing.

If your score is between 50 and 65, you are skilled in the techniques for preventing and managing stress.

If your score is between 30 - 49, you have some good coping skills, but they could be more effective.

If you score is between 0 - 29, you have poor stress coping skills and need to work hard to become better equipped to deal with stress.

Did the score surprise you? Was it what you expected? Do not worry if the score was on the low side, the information on this site covers all the different topics that were covered in the questionnaire. Also remember no one can be good in everything, there will always be something that we could use some help with. This site will provide some help in the form of information and suggestions. Do not forget if you are concerned and have questions then email.

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CLICK "BACK" FOR THE VERY BASICS - MY VIEW.

CLICK "NEXT" FOR STRESS SYMPTOMS.

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| General web site idea | Personal Information | The Package I offer | Are you stressed? | Interactive stress questionnaire | Holmes and Rahe scale | Personality questionnaire | The very basics - my stance | Identify your own strengths and Weaknesses (interactive) | Common stress related symptoms | Another reminder | Fight or Flight syndrome | Relaxation insights |Body awareness and muscular tension | Passive progressive muscular relaxation | Active progressive muscular relaxation | Relationship between stress and breathing | Do you breathe correctly? | Relationship between stress and breathing CONT | Diagrammatic form of the lungs etc | The two main breathing patterns | Stress and breathing | Hyperventilating/hyperventilation | hyperventilation - part 2 | Deep breathing | Square breathing | Complete breathing control | Relationship between stress and illness | Stress and negative thinking patterns recognising and challenging them | Stress logs | Negative and positive beliefs, feelings and behaviour | Picture to make you smile | Self esteem building - NEW | Assertiveness Training - NEW | Assertiveness Training Cont - NEW | Assertiveness Training Skills - NEW | Assertiveness Training - Bill of Rights - NEW | Relaxation Room - NEW | Links

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This questionnaire was taken from my student books provided by the Stress Consultancy in Sheffield UK. It is an amalgamation of a number of questionnaires each of which have been researched, validated, and used in multiple studies stemming from the 1970's.

Thank you for your visit - Michelle Pearson.

Email: michellepearson@worldonline.co.uk.