8 Things That Are Scientifically More Stressful Than Breaking The Law

8 things that are Scientifically more stressful than breaking the law

7. Getting married

Kortni Carico
Kortni Carico Jul 25, 2018
245
views

In 1967, Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe created a scale based on scientific research on the effects of stressful events and their correlation to future health implications. This scale is now called the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale (shocker, I know), and it ranks the stressors in order of how much they affect daily life and probability of illness as a result.

At the bottom of the list is minor violations of the law, such as jaywalking or speeding tickets. I can just picture myself hyperventilating at the police officer for going through a yellow light four years ago, but it having little effect on the outcome of my health later. Surprisingly enough, there are 41 life-changing events that have been considered effective on you over health (check out the scale here, provided from Dartmouth University).

1. Major holidays

Scientifically, Christmas is considered a stressful life event. Just think about how EVERY year, you have to see estranged family members, eat mystery food, and guilt yourself into buying unnecessary gifts.

2. Vacations

Shockingly enough, your relief from your 9-5 day job and heading to paradise is actually considered a life-changing stressor! Now in comparison to a change in responsibilities at work or a different line of work (both higher up on this scale), vacationing is less stressful, but it is still more stressful than the ominous of every day. Planning, agreeing, paying, and the pressure to have fun is actually impacting your health!

3. Beginning and ending school

Thank Jesus I never have to apply for college undergraduate schools again... oh the endless possibilities and terrifying self-judgment. While heading off to college was an exciting and trivial time, this is definitely a stressor for the books. In contrast, finishing school is equally, if not more, stressful because of the unknown ahead. I'm stressing bro because big kid jobs and 401k's are in the near future.

4. Outstanding personal acheivements

Okay seriously!? Who knew that Nobel Peace Prizes, Job Promotions, and other great accomplishments are stressful and potentially making one more susceptible to illness because I am shook. Unless you count a rise to fame because of said accomplishments. The newfound responsibilities and projection of oneself are actually stressful AF, be aware of success, people!

5. Change in frequency of arguments

I find this one surprisingly up on the list, simply because of the specifics of it. I think it is only a stressful life-changer because of the keyword "frequency". So, if you were to fight with your S.O. every week, that's stressful. But if you now fight 2-3 times a week, now you are more stressed than if you have a mortgage over $20,000. I think the real question is, does the inverse also create an epic amount of stress? Say you argue less. You think you'd be less stressed, but not according to the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale (no escaping the stress)!

6. Pregancy

This one... I get it. Like I'd be hella stressed if I was growing a baby in me like one of that miracle grow Chia Pets. The care of a baby on the way is enough to freak not only the momma out but also everyone invested in her and the baby's well-being. Well deserved, life change.

7. Getting married

Wedding bells are ringing and so are your ears from the tinnitus of stress. Any life change can be stressful, but the "happy couple" is just a giant ball of stress while being surrounded by white dresses, wedding rings, bridezillas, gluten-free cakes, open bars, and the disgust of the father of the bride. Yikes.

8. The death of a spouse

Coming in at number 1, the death of a spouse is considered the most stressful event in terms of impact on health. Not surprising, but affirming that the heart has the most power over the body's wellbeing. Mourning of any kind is on this list, but losing a soul-mate and partner for life is debilitating to many. It makes getting sent to prison feel like a cake walk. I want to take this stressful event to give a pause for anyone who has ever lost a loved one, especially a spouse. Keep on, keepin' on.

To put everything into perspective, you never know what kind of stress affects people, and the magnitude of their crises and life-changes. It can be as simple as a birthday, or as shattering as divorce.

Cover Image Credit:

https://unsplash.com/photos/wuo8KnyCm4I

Kortni Carico
Kortni Carico Jul 25, 2018
At Creighton University
At Creighton University

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My Boyfriend Is My Best Friend And That's OK

You have to be friends before lovers.
Jennifer Barron
Jennifer Barron Mar 28, 2016
285871
views

A lot of people will raise hell about significant others doing almost everything together. That used to be normal, right? But so was chivalry. A lot of things have changed over the years, and norms are no longer cool. But one thing will never change in my opinion is that your significant other should also be your best friend.

Why? Let's define "best friend," according to Urban Dictionary,

"Best Friends are very special people in your life. They are the first people you think about when you make plans. They are the first people you go to when you need someone to talk to. You will phone them up just to talk about nothing, or the most important things in your life. When you're sad they will try their hardest to cheer you up. They give the best hugs in the world! They are the shoulder to cry on, because you know that they truly care about you. In most cases, they would take a bullet for you, coz it would be too painful to watch you get hurt."

Um, excuse me, does that not sound like your significant other? It should, in my opinion. My boyfriend is my best friend. He was for four years before we dated, and we have been dating for three. So do the math: Best friends for seven years, and we haven't gotten tired of each other yet. It is OK to consider your boyfriend as your best friend.

They should be. They should be there for everything from a should to cry on to celebrating your biggest accomplishments. That's what mine does.

My boyfriend is my best friend because...

1. He is always there.

He might not answer his phone all the time, but he is always there. There is no doubt in my mind he would drive three hours through the night to make me feel better when I am down — because he has.

2. He makes me laugh and smile.

If you can find someone who can make you laugh and smile by doing the smallest of things, then keep them. It is hard to find.

3. He annoys the crap out of me sometimes.

That is what best friends/boyfriends do: Annoy the crap out of you. Sometimes. But you love every minute of it because you love them, and somehow you'll laugh about it later.

4. He treats me like one of the guys but also a princess all at the same time.

If you don't get this, then he probably isn't your best friend. If you get it, then you know the term "you date one, you get them all." And you somehow know way too much about all his guy friends because you go to beer and wings every once in a while.

5. He believes in me.

Everyone needs a cheerleader, a cheerleader that knows your biggest strengths and your worst weaknesses. He sits back and cheers me on when I got in on my own, but the second I throw the white towel in for help, he is there to give me that extra boost.

6. There is no such thing as anything private.

If you are best friends, you don't really care what the other person thinks because they are used to it. There is no such thing as privacy, modesty, or awkwardness in your relationship. If you don't get it, you're missing out. Getting to be your complete self around your significant other is probably better than sliced bread.

7. He knows everything and still loves me.

Literally everything. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Trust me on the ugly — he's tried to wake me up in the mornings. It is such a blessing knowing that when you are at the end of your rope and are struggling, you can go to them and be like, "Well, here I am. Love me." No one is perfect, so it is nice to have someone who knows I am human and will make mistakes.

Being in love with your best friend is probably the best feeling ever. I used to laugh when older adults would say, "You will end up marrying your best friend." I thought they were crazy. Having your boyfriend as your best friend is a blessing, you always have someone to go on an adventure with no matter what. The adventure is life.

Cover Image Credit: Author's photo
Jennifer Barron
Jennifer Barron Mar 28, 2016
At @georgia-southern

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What Rescuing a Dog Taught Me About My Future

She was a real pain to begin with, but I wouldn't give her up for the world now.

Hannah Leigh
Hannah Leigh Jun 19, 2019
636
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My first dog came from a breeder to us when he was just a puppy. I was in third grade so we were both young together. I remember stepping off of the bus and seeing him curled up in my mom's arms. His breed, a Cavalier King Charles, is a highly sought after dog for their small size and beautiful markings. However, dog breeding can lead to medical complications down the line. Heart murmurs are very frequent as cavaliers get older. When he turned 9 years old, they were already detecting the beginning of a heart murmur in him. But my second dog didn't come to us in quite the same way.

Willow was about a year old. She was rescued from an abusive home where she had to fight for her food from many other dogs. This made her guard resources and distrustful of us. My mom and I begged the rest of our family for the ability to adopt her, and they finally agreed. Being not potty trained, we had to teach her with a lot of positive encouragement when she went pee in the right place (not our carpet). It took her a while to realize that we weren't going to take her food away and she gradually became less resource guarding. She started to trust my other dog more and play with him. A lot of the time, they even snuggle together now.

At the time, I was in my junior year of high school and still thinking about the idea of becoming a veterinarian. She helped me decide to go for it, and now I'm in college and getting ready to apply for veterinary school. Willow has become part of our family, and her funny and unique personality fit right in with us.

Hannah Leigh
Hannah Leigh Jun 19, 2019
At University of Virginia

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