Perceived Stress Scale

What it measures

How unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded you have found your life over the past month, using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Rather than counting stressful events, it measures how stressful your circumstances feel to you. Your total score (0–40) falls into low, moderate, or high perceived stress.

How it works

You rate ten statements about the last month from ‘never’ (0) to ‘very often’ (4). On the original PSS, four positively worded items — about feeling confident, in control, and on top of things — are reverse-scored so that more of those reassuring feelings lowers your stress total. Here those four items are phrased in their stress direction so that every answer points the same way, and all ten are summed into a single 0–40 perceived-stress score.

Tips for an accurate result

• 1Answer for how it felt — Perceived stress is personal. Two people in the same situation can feel very differently — your read is what counts.
• 2Re-check during big changes — Retaking the PSS around stressful periods or after making changes shows whether your load is easing.
• 3Build in recovery — Sleep, movement, time outdoors, and relaxation techniques are proven buffers against the effects of stress.
• 4Share the load — Look at what can be delegated, declined, or postponed. Talking to others — and to your GP if stress is affecting your health — genuinely helps.