The Holmes-Rahe Social Readjustment Scale identifies a whole range of life events or circumstances that are recognised stressors.  The scale ascribes each of these a value.  The list below is presented in order of the most significant stressors to the least significant.  Again, some allowance has to be made for individual differences in temperament and circumstance.

Whilst not strictly mathematically correct, if you have experienced more than half of these stressors within a 12 month period, your chances of a stress related illness increase from around 30% to anywhere from 50-80%.
  • Death of spouse
  • Divorce
  • Marital separation
  • Detention in jail, other institution
  • Death of a close family member
  • Major personal injury or illness
  • Marriage
  • Fired from work
  • Marital reconciliation
  • Retirement
  • Major change in the health or behavior of a family member
  • Pregnancy
  • Sexual difficulties
  • Gaining a new family member (eg through birth, adoption etc.)
  • Major business re-adjustment (eg merger, reorganization, bankruptcy)
  • Major change in financial status
  • Death of close friend
  • Change to different line of work
  • Major change in the number of arguments with spouse
  • Taking out a mortgage or loan for a major purchase
  • Foreclosure on a mortgage or loan
  • Major change in responsibilities at work
  • Son or daughter leaving home (eg marriage, attending college)
  • Trouble with In-laws
  • Outstanding personal achievement
  • Spouse beginning or ceasing to work outside the home
  • Beginning or ceasing formal schooling
  • Major change in living conditions
  • Revision of personal habits (dress, manners, associations, etc.)
  • Trouble with boss
  • Major change in working hours or conditions
  • Change in residence
  • Change to a new school
  • Major change in usual type and/oramount of recreation
  • Major change in church activities (a lot more or less than usual)
  • Major change in social activities (clubs, dancing, movies, visiting)
  • Taking out a mortgage or loan for a lesser purchase (eg for a car, TV, freezer, etc.)
  • Major change in sleeping habits
  • Major change in the number of family get-togethers
  • Major change in eating habits
  • Vacation
  • Christmas season
  • Minor violations of the law (eg traffic tickets, etc. )