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Office life 'stressful' for middle-aged managers
By Yang Wanli (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-07 08:00
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A report on psychological health among office workers released recently shows that office workers in metropolises such as Beijing are the least content with their lives.
Supported by the China Employee Assistance Program, the survey conducted in 2009 asked 120,000 office workers about their physical and psychological well-being.
"Workers aged between 35 and 45 are under great pressure in their lives, including their work and families," said Zhang Chaoxi, a psychology professor at Beijing Normal University.
According to the report, about 65 percent of workers lack vitality in their work and half of them questioned the importance of their job.
Only 10 percent of respondents revealed satisfaction with their health and psychological condition.
"Now, the pressure I face is even heavier compared to 10 years ago when I was still a poor man," said Yu Tian, a 34-year-old manager working in Zhongguancun, Haidian district.
"To get a higher social status and keep a good relationship with my colleagues and bosses is more difficult than earning money. Also, my son is growing up and I must consider my family more, which is another burden," he said.
According to statistics from Huilongguan Hospital, one of the largest psychiatric hospitals in Beijing, the number of people seeking psychological help reached 10,000 in 2009.
"The majority of callers are aged between 28 and 45. That group accounted for over 50 percent of callers and many of them were suffering from problems with social relations," said Wang Cuiling, director of the psychological hotline department in Huilongguan hospital.
Wang has been working in the department since it was established in 2002. She revealed that marriage problems in this group are increasing, with most cases related to extramarital affairs.
To maintain a healthy life and be more content, Wang suggested office workers exercise more and release pressure with a hobby.
"Reading books, listening to music or doing other things that can make you feel comfortable and relaxed. This will help keep a balance between your own life and work," she said.
