Experts tell people who are under stress to calmly analyze why they feel stressed and tackle the problem by writing a diary or talking with family or friends, rather than trying to forget the cause. They advise patients to use a stressful situation as a source for a more vigorous life, not as an excuse to escape. Physical exercise or hobbies are also helpful.

But Koreans seem to find it particularly difficult to relax and ease stress in healthy ways. In a survey of 920 salaried people in Seoul, the largest group of respondents tried to get a good night’s sleep to ease stress (146 people or 15.9 percent) while the next biggest group resorted to drink (117 or 12.7 percent). Next came chatting with friends (11.6 percent), followed by physical exercise (11.5 percent), food (7.3 percent), a bath (4.3 percent) and smoking (4 percent). In other words, Koreans mainly relieve stress in unhealthy ways. Out of 25 suggestions to ease stress, only 28.7 percent of respondents chose good solutions like exercise, chatting, taking a walk and stretching, while 29.5 percent preferred unhealthy methods like drinking, smoking, watching TV, playing computer games and stuffing themselves with gourmet food. The survey was conducted for the Chosun Ilbo by Woo Jong-min, a professor at the Department of Neuropsychiatry at Inje University’s Seoul Paik Hospital

The results are in stark contrast with the kind of stress relief favored in the West. In a poll of 2,000 Britons by Befrienders International, hobbies took first place with 33 percent, going for walks came second with 27 percent and chatting with friends or family ranked third with 25 percent. In a U.S. poll, watching TV, reading books and listening to music were favored ways to relieve stress for 82 percent of respondents. Next came talking to family members and friends for 71 percent, followed by prayer and meditation for 62 percent, exercise with 55 percent and eating food with 37 percent. Only 26 percent picked smoking and drinking. Multiple answers were possible.

In some ways, that reflects national characteristics. Stress is at the root of illness since chronic stress disrupts the autonomic nervous system and the immune system, increasing the probability of disease. In extreme cases, it leads to heart attack. However, Koreans’ preferred ways to relieve stress -- sleeping, drinking, eating and smoking -- are passive and emotional with a focus on avoidance or releasing instant emotion. By contrast, Westerners tackle stress in an active and rational way by analyzing the cause of the situation and trying to resolve problems. Woo said a good night’s sleep or drinking can help when people are under great stress. But they cannot relieve stress in the long term.

(englishnews@chosun.com )