Be cool-headed and avoid stress: Expert

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)