Physical and Mental Stress Zones

Green Zone

(Index value of 1 or 2; 'Best physiological status')

Interpretation / likely meaning:

* Suggests that the body is able to deal comfortably with demand

Advice:

* Maintain current work and lifestyle habits
* Repeat the Personal Assessment every 6 months or so to ensure that this desirable Green Zone status is maintained

Typically 25% of supposedly healthy subjects score in this Zone

Yellow Zone

(Index value of 3, 4 or 5; 'Some tension / Possibly minor stress')

Interpretation / likely meaning:

* Suggests that the individual could be under some pressure but the body's regulatory system is generally coping well with demand

Advice:

* Review current work and lifestyle habits to see if there are any areas that could be fine-tuned
* Monitor situation and repeat the Personal Assessment perhaps quarterly, with desire to bring Stress Index into Green Zone

Typically 45% of supposedly healthy subjects score in this Zone

Orange Zone

(Index value of 6, 7; 'High tension / Stress')

Interpretation / likely meaning:

* Suggests that the individual is under significant pressure and is not coping well - so the risk of stress-related illness is increased

Advice:

* Improve lifestyle habits and work patterns if necessary
* Monitor situation and repeat the Personal Assessment perhaps every 8-12 weeks, with desire to bring Stress Index into Yellow or Green Zone as soon as possible
* For a score of 3 if significant stressors are not identifiable in the subject's personal and/or work situation, and particularly if there is any concern that there could be underlying illness, assessment by a doctor is recommended

Typically 18% of supposedly healthy subjects score in this Zone

Red Zone

(Index value of 8 or 9; 'Marked stress / Risk of burnout')

Interpretation / likely meaning:

* Suggests that the subject is under too much pressure or that there is a significant medical problem

Advice:

* Assessment within few days by a doctor is strongly recommended
* Urgently take action to improve lifestyle habits and work patterns
* Monitor situation as deemed necessary under medical supervision and repeat the Personal Assessment perhaps every 4-6 weeks, with desire to bring the Stress Index into the Yellow or Green Zone as soon as possible

Typically 12% of supposedly healthy subjects score in this Zone