The Dangers of Chronic Stress
Stress can be triggered by sudden life-threatening disasters or by less dramatic changes in our careers and relationships. Some researchers believe that everyday hassles, such as traffic jams, noise, or family conflict may be even more harmful over time than sudden disasters.

Whatever the cause, chronic stress can produce or contribute to muscle strain, fatigue, headaches, ulcers, asthma, back pain, digestive disorders, high blood pressure, and heart-rhythm abnormalities. What’s worse, researchers have found indications that stress affects immune function, and perhaps is a factor in certain types of cancer.

In a landmark study, Dr. Thomas H. Holmes and Richard H. Rahe of the University of Washington drew up a scale of stressful events that appeared to make people more susceptible to illness. The Holmes-Rahe Scale assigns values to life events (based upon a scale where marriage represents 50 points) determined by a study involving 394 individuals.

Scale of Impact Per Event
100 Death of spouse
75 Divorce
65 Marital separation
63 Jail term
63 Death of a close family member
53 Personal injury or illness
50 Marriage
47 Dismissal from work
45 Marital reconciliation
45 Retirement
44 Change in health of family member
40 Pregnancy
39 Sex difficulties
39 Gain of new family member
39 Business readjustment
38 Change in financial state
37 Death of close friend
36 Change to different line of work
36 Change in no. of arguments with spouse
31 Major mortgage
30 Foreclosure of mortgage or loan
29 Change in responsibilities at work
29 Son or daughter leaving home
29 Trouble with in-laws
28 Outstanding personal achievement
26 Partner begins or stops work
26 Begin or end school
25 Change in living conditions
24 Revision of personal habits
23 Trouble with boss
20 Change in work hours or conditions
19 Change in residence/schools/recreation
18 Change in social activities
17 Small mortgage or loan
16 Change in sleeping/eating habits
15 Change in no. of family get-togethers
13 Vacation
12 Christmas
11 Minor violations of the law

The values listed are not intended for adding up and scoring but simply here to show the relative impact of stressful events. Any change in the routine of our lives -- even welcome ones -- can be stressful, both in terms of the way in which we perceive them and in terms of the increased incidence of physical illness that follows.

It is widely recognized that acute and chronic stress have an impact on the immune system and the aging process. Ironically, short episodes of stress may actually have a positive effect on the immune system by setting off internal alarms for action, whereas, long-term (chronic) stress can impact negatively on the immune system. A positive self-image, an optimistic outlook on life and good coping skills can greatly minimize the impact of stress. If you're healthy, active, and know how to handle chronic stress, you might age better than your friends. Chronic stress may speed up the process and stress management might slow it down.

Proven stress-control techniques include:

* Moderate exercise
* Good sleep
* Managing your expectations and goals
* Acceptance -- not trying to control things you can't
* Finding meaning
* Strengthening meaningful social ties
* Spiritual or religious beliefs

A stress-free life probably isn't realistic but stress management is.