5 Quick Ways to Measure Stress
Before you can effectively manage stress, you must become aware of the amount and types of stressors in your daily life. One way of developing the awareness is to assess the frequency and amount of stress in your daily routine, and then trace the stress to its source. Below is a list of quick, easy ways of measuring stress in your daily life which can be easily used any time and anywhere.
Check muscle stress by “scanning” your body
When you scan, you are actually checking different muscles in your body as if you could x-ray each part and look for stress. This shall start at the top of your head and work your way down. Check your head, then move to your neck and shoulders and check for stiffness or pain, next your arms, chest and stomach. Scan your upper legs, calves and your feet and toes.
Check hand temperature
Place your hand on the side of your neck just above your collar. If your hand is noticeably cooler than your neck, yor hand temperature indicates that your body is probably stressed.
Check for nervous sweating
Many people perspire when they are stressed. This is an involuntary stress response that is caused by the secretion of certain stress hormones which is called adrenalin. This is yet another simple indicator that your body is responding to some stressor.
Check for a rapid pulse rate
At rest most people will have a pulse rate of 60 -70 bpm, if your pulse rate is higher than 75 bpm, it may indicate that your body is responding to a stressor.
Check for rapid, shallow breathing
When people are relaxed, they breathe slowly and deeply with relaxed stomach muscles. When people are 
stressed, they often tighten their stomach muscles and breathe through their chests. Since the chest is not as expandable as the stomach, one will exhibit rapid, shallow, chest breathing. One technique for managing stress is to learn to breathe in a more relaxed fashion. Relax the stomach and breathe in slowly, filling the stomach first and then the chest. Relax again as you exhale and repeat.
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