The most stressful event according to the Holmes and Rahe Life Events Scale is the death of a child or spouse.

NO. Losing a spouse is NOT a "top stressful life event" .... it would be in the "top life traumas"

I respectfully disagree. Death of a spouse IS a life event, and in fact, is #1 on everyone's scale of most stressful life events (it is #1 on life events for adults; death of a parent is #1 for non-adults).

Even things that should be happy occasions (vacation, holidays) have a stress rating.

There are many life events that cause stress for teens. Learning to drive, graduating high school, and moving away from friends are all stressful on teens.

Life is a series of continuous small stressful events.

Yes! Your body internalizes the stress of major life events. Therefore stress can manifest itself physically through various health issues.

The most stressful life events are:

Death of a spouse

Divorce

Marriage separation

Jail term

Death of a close relative

Injury or illness

Marriage

Fired from job

Marriage reconciliation

Retirement