Bizchina

Post-80s feel the pressure

By Yu Tianyu (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-19 09:31

According to the "White Book on the Health Condition of China's Urban White-Collar Workers", 76 percent of white-collar workers in China's major cities are in worse than average health, with nearly 60 percent being over-fatigued.

The survey showed that nearly 80 percent of white-collar workers in China suffer from irregular sleep and diets and feel tired every day. In addition, more than half feel irritable, 20 percent feel lonely, and more than 70 percent are unhappy.

But Xiong Hanzhong, director of Beijing Youth Stress Management Service Center, told China Business Weekly that the post-80s generation shouldn't complain too much because people of all ages have to bear the burden caused by high property prices and many other adverse factors.

Xiong said: "It is inappropriate for them to rush to get their own car or apartment as their savings are limited. Why can't they temporarily rent an apartment like many other young people in other countries?"

Members of the post-80s generation, who generally have a good educational background and also have profound insights into many issues, should be confident about their future because of their talent and potential, added Xiong.

They shouldn't underestimate their own capabilities and constantly bemoan their fate, he said.

Services at Xiong's center include stress management activities, psychological counseling, stress management training for companies and the promotion of stress management knowledge. In less than five years, the center's membership has grown to around 500.

Zhu Xiaoyu, a 25-year-old interior designer in Shanghai, squandered all her salary within 30 minutes in a luxury shopping mall when she encountered some difficulties at work.

She was forced to ask for some money from her mother to cover her daily expenses, the second time she has had this problem in the past three months.

Tang Zhou, 29, a HR officer based in Beijing, said that in order to relieve pressure at work he plays online games or writes diaries and shares photos with his cyber friends

Lin Xin, 23, an office worker in Beijing, said she finds solace in talking to friends when she feels depressed.

Xiong said: "You'd better make sure that you won't add to the negative emotions of other people when you're complaining to them. Or, if you relieve pressure through shopping, you need to ensure that this doesn't give you greater financial burden."

If people feel relieved after shopping, buying useless items or eating and drinking to excess, then it is a sign of great pressure, he said. If you're unable to control or make adjustments, you should seek professional psychiatric help, he added.

In large cities, employees on average salaries are able to afford psychological therapy, Xiong said. "Most people can solve their problems after a few sessions, it won't cost too much."

Xiong suggested that psychological counseling should be covered by the healthcare system.

According to Tian Xiangyang, an expert at China Health Education Center under the Ministry of Health, to be mentally and physically healthy, people need to learn how to better organize their lives. This includes time management, emotional management, behavior and lifestyle management, and being more effective in handling their money.

Henry Sheng, China marketing director of Hay Group, a global management consultancy, said that employers can take some measures to help relieve the pressure on their staff, but what's more important is that employees themselves should learn how to manage their emotions and deal with stress.