We married work — the complete manual to relieve stress

Author: Xie Zheng
Publisher:
Publishing Date: Not available
Features: China is entering the peak period of work-related burnout, and burnout has become a social "epidemic." Burnout is an inevitable outcome of social development to a certain extent. — Professor Xu Yan from the Psychology Department of Beijing Normal University
Life is like a ball-tossing game. Your hands must alternately toss five balls: work, family, health, friends, and spiritual life, and you cannot let any of them fall. You will soon discover: work is a rubber ball. If it falls, it will bounce back. But the other four balls—"family," "health," "friends," and "spiritual life"—are made of glass. If you let any of them fall, they will be damaged, even shattered. — CEO of Coca-Cola, Dison
People who are overworked are chasing death. — British scientist Beveridge
On the evening of September 16, the arson attack that burned down a Chinese shoe store in Spain shocked the world. But it "is not racial discrimination," a Spanish shopkeeper said, "it's because the Chinese are 'obsessed with making money.'" The shopkeeper added, "The Chinese work day and night, never closing for lunch breaks, and have no holidays or weekends. They are making it impossible for us to do business." The diligence of the Chinese clashes with traditional Spanish values, where "family, friends, and leisure are considered more important than making money." The Chinese "working day and night" is not an eternal virtue. — Journalist from the U.S. Christian Science Monitor
Twenty years ago, Japan—In one year, the CEOs of 12 major companies in Japan, such as the famous Seiko Company, Kawasaki Ironworks, and All Nippon Airways, suddenly died, most of them in their 40s and 50s. Why did these top executives, who enjoyed excellent living and medical conditions, fail to reach Japan's average male life expectancy of 76 years?
Twenty years later, around us—This year, we have bid farewell to too many young people. The phrase "early death" seems to have been used too often. Sudden cardiac death, diabetes, and cancer—diseases once unrelated to the young—have struck healthy lives repeatedly this year, claiming the hearts of countless beating souls.
On November 7, 2004, Wang Junyao, the bold and daring CEO of the Junyao Group, passed away in Shanghai at the age of 38 after succumbing to colon cancer. On April 8, 2004, Yang Mai, the CEO of Ericsson (China), died of a heart attack after days of overwork while on a treadmill at a fitness center.
22-year-old Shan Liang, a senior student at Southwest Jiaotong University, was studying while working part-time at four jobs. He had excellent academic performance and was selected as a direct-admitted graduate student. Yet, he tragically passed away on the morning of June 13.
In a similar case, a PhD student at the Chinese Academy of Sciences also died after catching a mere rain shower. Medical investigations revealed the cause as "burnout leading to sudden death."
A recent survey by the China Human Resources Development Network shows that the global phenomenon of work-related burnout is now affecting China. A questionnaire survey on the health of white-collar workers in Beijing revealed that fewer than 5% consider themselves physically and mentally healthy. The remaining 95% of white-collar office workers are experiencing varying degrees of "sub-health" symptoms.
The work of white-collar professionals is like a high-speed spinning top. "It seems that true rest can only come when I rest forever," this may not just be a joke from a business tycoon.
There is an ancient question: Why do we work? Do we work for life? Then what is life? Is life simply living without falling behind others financially? When work drains our lives, how do we answer that question?
Life is an era where we marry work—unconsciously, work has become the only center of our lives. Intentionally or unintentionally, we have ignored the true essence of life and been confused about its meaning.
To address this phenomenon, the author of this book conducted an in-depth social investigation, presenting the living and stressful conditions of modern people, especially white-collar professionals and intellectuals, through detailed interviews, statistical data, and vivid examples. At the same time, it raises many thought-provoking questions: How did we unknowingly marry work? And to whom did we marry it? Did we truly benefit society, companies, families, or ourselves by marrying work? Who is the ultimate winner?
Acknowledging and accepting the social reality of "marrying work," how can we reclaim life—happiness? Open this book, and you will find the answers.