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Chill out, exec style

Chasing targets, arriving at magical net results, better prospects, reports and analysis form the busy web of young executives, until it begins to tell on the quality of their life. RAKHEE MOHAN finds out the de-stressing methods used by some of them to beat the blues.

The pressures of life as an executive leaves little time for relaxing, like a quiet game of cards or just some time to ` stand and stare'..

WITH THE influx of the MNC culture into our working lifestyle, working hours have become fluid. A 9 to 5 hour job is passé. There is no end or beginning, one seems to be on the job at all hours. The burnout ratio is bound to be high but for some stress busters that the busy city folks resort to when they feel the strain. And the ones to feel the pinch the strongest are the young ones just initiated into their first jobs. Though possessing the fire and drive to make it big in the crucible of corporate affairs, the brunt they face, after living a carefully fostered life, can have its toll.

Chaotic hours

Most of them have picked up the formidable gauntlet of hard work with confidence sans complaints. Sheeba, customer care executive with Airtel says, "Our working hours are chaotic. Even though I live as a paying guest, I reach my place sometimes at 11 p.m. but no one feels the pressure because the work is enjoyable."

And subscribing to this view is Girish, a Senior Technical Recruiter-cum-Accounts Manager, Assysts India Pvt. Ltd. says, "It's the work environment that you build around yourself that makes a big difference. At our place its team effort and compatibility that creates the right vibes to ease pressure." And working night shifts gives an added advantage. "For young guys like me its good, because you get to save a lot of pocket money as transportation is free."

Most of them have found different means to unwind after hectic hours on the job. Getting around with family and friends is one of the ways. Says Ramesh Menon, Area Sales Manager, ICICI Bank, "During the weekends, my wife and me pay a visit to our parents who live out of town, or else I watch some Discovery Channel shows, or catch up on some movie on the second show. On Saturdays we go out to dine somewhere."

Few places to unwind

Kochi, many feel, lacks in providing avenues to unwind. Binod, a HR Manager, Infopark, has this complaint: "Kochi doesn't provide you ample choices to unwind except the regular routine like eating out or visiting relatives. So the best option is to relax at home in the company of your wife or parents."

But this is definitely not the ideal option for some like Savitha, a HR professional. "Families expect a lot from us. So there is always bound to be a clash when youngsters begin working as they find very little time to devote to the elders at home." She would rather prefer going for a long drive or a walk along the beach.

Some of them have found ingenious ways to combat the stress. Listen to Jaya Alexander, another HR professional, who takes a break by "listening to others for a change, instead of doing the talking."

Walking

She also takes some quick snatches of time walking around the office or making a few calls to friends and close associates, which peps up one at the job.

If some like Jaya go in for activity, there are others who like to laze around and catch up on `missed sleep.' "Sunday is always set apart for sleep," says Saurabh Pandey, an accounts executive. "During office hours if it comes to taking a break I even try and slip in a beer. Then on weekends, if you manage to get an unexpected break, I would travel to places like Thekkady or Alappuzha." Or else he resorts to the time tested methods of drowning in books or listening to some good music.

Even some of these `traditional' ways of beating the stress, like reading is no longer considered an assured getaway option. The tough pace of work, harried life, makes reading, for some like Sheeba, a very taxing exercise. "Our minds are already strained and to tax it again would really be insane. I prefer to cook and it has a very calming effect. It gives you time to ruminate on the day's activities and plan for the next day so that you are always in control. Another way is to get into discussions with friends on topics ranging from preferred nail polish colour to international politics."

Pampering oneself

Some, like media professional Jayasmitha, do not even find time for de-stressing. "But if I manage to catch a few minutes during my rounds, I shop till I drop. Pampering yourself really elevates your mood. At night I go online and chat with friends and it's at dinner time that I find my family over the dinner talk." And another relaxing and refreshing activity for her, as well as some others, is to visit the temple. "Every Saturday I frequent the Shiva temple with my family. The serene surroundings and the walk around the Durbar Hall ground really rejuvenate you."

Prayers rejuvenate

Savitha agrees that prayers in the morning and evening "give one a calm composure that helps you through the hectic day." She also advises "meditation, yoga and a sense of physical well being that gives you the confidence to face the severities."

Companies too have begun to realise the importance of providing entertainment and recreational facilities for their employees. Says James Fletcher, a student of law and also works as a contract manager: "Our company arranges cricket matches during the weekends and celebrates anniversaries and birthdays. So it feels good."

All work and no play certainly do not apply to these professionals. They insist that there isn't a dull moment ever at their work place. And still there are those who criticise Malayalis for being non-industrious. Maybe some of them here have just proved that this notion is wrong.

COOLing off in style

Here are some ways in which young executives unwind and relax after a week full of work.