Be cool-headed and avoid stress: Expert

JAKARTA (JP): Life today is a byword for stress, especially in a big city like Jakarta.

Traffic jams, sweltering heat and the frantic pace of work are given problems. Now there is the additional trouble of the monetary crisis, hitting not only the capital but the whole nation.

Problems have avalanched following the sharp decline in the value of the rupiah in the past few months. Prices of goods have started to rise while salaries, if they have not been cut, remain the same.

That is if you are fortunate enough to have a job. Many business owners, complaining of a slump in orders, have laid off employees.

Things are getting a little bit better now, thanks to the government's landmark efforts to intervene, particularly with the closure of 16 "delinquent" banks.

Yet, stress is still here. Many are gripped by fears over an inevitable recession.

In their frustration, they grumble, complain and cry.

It's acceptable to do this as long as you know when to stop and start picking up the pieces, according to socio-psychologist Sartono Mukadis.

"My philosophy is that if someone dies, and everyone cries, who will bury the dead?" Sartono said.

"Crying is okay, but don't cry all the time. Be cool-headed. Start thinking and find the solution. Ask yourself, what's the point of crying, being upset, angry, fighting, or even taking your case to court. That will only bring disadvantages to us."

Some of us have the burden of redundancy hanging over our heads. Sartono says that if the dreaded pink slip does land on your desk, swallow some pride.

"If you are laid off, take the severance pay and then think about what to do. Is there any possibility that you can get a new job?

If not, and you are a man whose wife does not work, is it possible for her to become the breadwinner? Or is it possible to run your own business? Gather all possibilities and analyze. Learn your strength and weaknesses, and see the opportunities and the threats."

Sartono refutes the notion that people are stuck in fixed career paths and cannot turn their hand to other skills.

The source of the stress is not the layoff but the uncertainty that lies ahead, Sartono said.

"It (the layoff) is only a trigger factor. It's the fear that we won't be able to solve the problems that leads to the stress."

He said those who believed there were answers to the problem would be composed.

"It's like in the traffic jams. If you know that there are policemen to clear the traffic, or that the traffic jams will be over, then you won't get stressed.

"In this situation (the monetary crisis), if you know that there are ways to solve the problem, things will be less stressful."

He underlined the need for keeping a level head.

"Don't be overcome by emotion. Think rationally.

"The government is working hard to handle the situation. This takes time, but if you don't want to be stressed, you should trust them."

He said the monetary situation would get worse if there were uncontrollable variables, such as groups fomenting unrest by playing on the public's fears.

"Fortunately, so far we don't see this variable occurring. So, please, be calm."

He recommended that people steel themselves to face reality and use reason to deal with the situation.

"Our economic growth has been predicted to decrease from about 7 percent to 3 or 4 percent in the coming years. So, don't ever count the money in other people's pockets."

Some may turn to friends and relatives for help, but Sartono cautioned that real solutions lie within ourselves.

"It's you who has to make a decision and act. Try to do something; however small it is, it might help. And remember one thing, don't become a merchant of sadness, asking others to take pity on you and lend a hand. That won't help.

The time to act is now.

"I know it is not easy. but if we don't start from now, things will be too late. Stop mourning and start working.

"If you are not able to cope with emotion and are carried away with the stress, you will plunge into a bottomless well."

Dwelling endlessly on the troubles, Sartono warned, could "make you crazy". (sim)