Laboratory 11.2: Stress Index Questionnaire 

Discuss your results, from the Stress Index Questionnaire, stating your score and stress
category. Were you surprised by your score?
I scored 10 in the yes category and 10 in the no category. Based on these scores, I belong
to the high-stress category (Powers, & Dodd, 2017). I was surprised by my score. I did not
anticipate to be grouped in the high-stress category. However, I am happy to learn about my
stress category and would want to work on improving by reducing and eliminating various
stressors.
Identity at least two of your major stressors impacting your wellness
Work is one of the major stressors. I am a mother of ten children, and this means that I
struggle to take on my parental responsibilities while ensuring that I remain productive at work.
In addition, I need to create time for my studies, and this often makes me feel like a day do not
have enough time for me to accomplish all my responsibilities. I rarely have enough time for
myself, and this compounds the situation.
Explain which dimensions of wellness are impacted by stress.
Stress affects nearly every dimension of wellness. One dimension of wellness affected by
stress is emotional wellness. When one is stressed, they are unable to handle the pressures of life.
They lack the inner strength to cope with life effectively. Another dimension of wellness affected
by stress is social wellness (Powers, & Dodd, 2017). Stress decreases the ability of an individual
to function socially. In most cases, people who are stressed lack a well-developed social support
system that may make the situation worse. Stress also affects physical wellness. Stress reduces

one’s ability to exercise and have enough sleep. Stress may also result in unhealthy habits, such
as poor nutrition.
Describe the relaxation technique that you tried in your journal.
One relaxation technique that I tried is meditation. I sat twice a day quietly and focused
on a single word or image. In some cases, I would take slow breaths. I sat in a place where there
was fresh air, and I was able to relax for thirty minutes twice every day.
Do you think the relaxation technique you tried would be effective in reducing your stress
level if practiced on a regular basis? Why or why not?
I believe that meditation can help reduce the level of stress when practiced regularly.
Mediation can help one achieve a state of physical and mental relaxation, and this can be helpful
in reducing the stress levels.
Elaborate on the major health risks and diseases associated with distress
Stress can result in serious conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood
pressure (Mills, Karagiannis, & Zulch, 2014). When one is stressed out, they are at a high risk of
high blood pressure. In addition, one may develop serious heart problems as a result of the
inability to cope with stress. Stress affects the ability of the body to regulate blood sugar (Mills,
Karagiannis, & Zulch, 2014). One may also adopt other unhealthy habits that could result in
obesity.

References

Mills, D., Karagiannis, C., & Zulch, H. (2014). Stress—its effects on health and behavior: a
guide for practitioners. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 44(3), 525-541.

Powers, S. K., & Dodd, S. L. (2017). Total fitness & wellness, the Mastering Health edition (7th
ed.). Retrieved from https://redshelf.com