Stress-busters
A
s anyone who has lived
and worked in Hong Kong
will attest, stress is almost
a permanent condition for
its inhabitants. Our city is a major
financial hub, employing thousands
of banking, corporate, teaching
and aviation professionals, and as
the regional headquarters for a lot
of international organisations, the
opportunities and rewards can be
very attractive.
But office life in the SAR has never
been more stressful, according to a
recent survey by global workplace
provider, Regus. The survey
canvassed 22,000 professionals in
more than 100 countries. Over half of
the workforce said they are closer to
burning out than they were five years
ago, and a lack of manpower is the
top trigger for workplace stress.
Coping with the fast-paced working
environment is worn as a badge of
honour by many busy parents, and
the ability to make a lot of money
and pay not a lot of tax is tempting
for those looking to provide for their
family’s future. But when it comes to
achieving a balance between work
and family, as well as looking after
the family’s wellbeing, stress-busting
exercise is often the first casualty of
the busy lifestyle.
Stress city
“Hong Kong employers have a knack
for burning you out,” says John
Ryder, aviation professional and
airline captain. “I’ve seen so many
guys, in all industries, rationalise
that their job provides for the family
and will set them up for a good life.
But if there is no family left, then
what’s the point?
“As with any job where Dad is
away for days and sometimes weeks at
a time, there needs to be a balance,”
says Ryder. “When you do come
back from days away with little or
no contact with the family, there are
always social functions to attend. This
only adds to pressure on the family
and, for some, can lead to separation.”
With over 26 years of experience in
Hong Kong and Scotland, Harvard-
trained Dr Susan Jamieson is one
of Hong Kong’s most experienced
family doctors, and she has a wealth
of knowledge in the areas commonly
affecting our lives in this busy city,
especially in the area of stress.
“I have discovered a lot about
stress management from the rock
stars I have been lucky enough to
treat. Mick Jagger or Elton John and
his children travel constantly and
this can be stressful,” says Jamieson.
“Hong Kong people are not very
different. They also travel, are away
from home for long periods, live in
hotels, deal with jet lag and can be
isolated from family and friends.
Hong Kong has always been a
stressful city to live in. There are
the long working hours, incessant
deadlines, as well as the hard-driving
perfectionism in providing a service
for money. On top of that, we’ve got
to deal with the background stresses
of noise and pollution.”
Managing stress
Going for a drink is a popular stress
management strategy amongst
expatriate dads, but is having a beer
with your mates the best thing to do?
“The temptation to go to a bar
after work to try to tune out is always
there in Hong Kong,” says Rob
Eadon, banking executive and father
of three. “But I don’t see this as a
sustainable option so I only do it on
special occasions.”
The obvious health risks aside, for
some occupations all-too-regular beers
with colleagues is just not an option.
“There is a lot riding on the health
and wellbeing of a pilot,” says Ryder.
“Social drinking is part of our culture,
especially in Hong Kong, however
medicating with alcohol tends to lead
to dependency and there is no place
Too frantic at work and busy at home to deal with the stress that
seems to be building by the hour?
Scott Williamson
finds out how
some Hong Kong dads keep their stress levels in check.
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