Stress, when it goes unchecked, can have many negative effects on your health. Answer these questions* before checking the answers to learn more.

1. If stress hormones exist in your body for a long time, they can:
a. Use up your body’s fat stores
b. Increase your concentration
c. Damage your blood vessels
c. Short-lived stress is a regular part of daily life. However, when stress becomes chronic or lasts longer than normal, you’re at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. You’re also more likely to suffer from hypertension.

2. If you don’t make time to exercise in your day, you’re at a higher risk of:
a. Cancer
b. Heart disease
c. Both
c. Exercise is one of the best ways to prevent diseases. If you’re glued to an office chair all day, you’re raising your chances of developing a chronic health condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week.

3. The best definition of a workaholic is someone who:
a. Works many hours a day
b. Works many hours a day because they love what they do
c. Works many hours a day because they’re driven by an uncontrollable urge
c. There’s a difference between being drawn to your work and being controlled by it. Workaholism is working beyond what is reasonably expected of you. It can develop into a serious addiction.

4. The headaches we get from a hectic schedule are typically caused by:
a. Thinking too much
b. Low blood sugar
c. Tense muscles
c. The stress that comes with keeping your nose to the grindstone tenses up your muscles, which can have many side effects and may even trigger a migraine. The letdown from being ‘up’ for hours is a major migraine trigger.

5. Which of the following, taken regularly, improves your performance at work?
a. Holidays
b. Lunch breaks
c. Both
c. Taking breaks from work, whether short stints during your working day or a regular vacation, can boost your wellbeing. The benefits are especially high if you spend that time doing physical activity, learning something new, or practising relaxation so your body can recover.

Quiz sources: American Psychological Association, Medical News Today, WebMD and WHO

This article originally appeared in Today magazine, issue 2 2019. Read the latest issue here.

*Please note, this information is meant as a guide, not a diagnosis. Please consult your GP or a healthcare professional for medical advice.