Occupational doctor notes 70 percent rise in coffee consumption to reduce workplace stressors

Jakarta - Occupational Medicine Specialist at Pertamina IHC Clinic, Muchammad Arief Gunawan, stated that coffee consumption at one company has increased to 70 percent as a means of reducing stress triggers, or stressors. “In detail, coffee hasn’t really been researched that way, but there is one company where about 70 percent drink coffee. So, indeed, consumption at that one company sees 70 percent of employees drinking coffee every day,” he said at the Pertamina IHC Sunda Kelapa Mosque Clinic in Central Jakarta on Tuesday. “If we work without a stressor, we certainly won’t be optimal, but if it is excessive, it will also lead to burnout, so coffee won’t make you productive either. If you want one or two cups, it’s probably not a problem, but if it’s excessive, our bodies also need recovery,” Arief remarked. To measure employee stress levels, occupational doctors conduct screening to assess the extent to which stressors affect staff productivity, but for detailed screening results, management or counselling will be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist. “Because that is more towards treatment, whereas I am more towards the preventive side,” he said. Arief suggested that to escape a stressor, one of the most effective mechanisms is to seek a temporary diversion, but in a positive direction. However, the primary step is to resolve the stressor trigger. “The first mechanism is, of course, we solve the problem. Second, we look for a diversion. For example, if we are holding a glass continuously, after a while, one to two minutes is still fine, but if it goes on all day, everything will certainly ache,” he said. The second mechanism then moves into recovery or healing. If seeking a diversion, one must find a good or positive one; do not resort to smoking, using drugs, or certain activities. It is better to meditate or exercise, for instance.