Lifeline offers some stress-management tips in light of the recent fuel price increases
"As long as we are alive, we are experiencing stress."
Diesel and petrol (95 ULP inland) prices could soon increase by 21c/litre and 1c/litre respectively, bringing the price of diesel to R12,33/litre, and the petrol price to R14,02/litre.
Although this might not seem like much, once you consider how much diesel companies buy per month, the picture really becomes bleak. And because security companies and the CPF help the police combat crime by lending a hand when it comes to visible policing, the safety of the community could be at risk.
Arno Dorfling from BCI Security said the work his company does entails always having fuel in all their vehicles, no matter what. “We won’t increase our fees to cover our fuel bill – we’ll make money available from within the company. We do budget for fuel price increases.”
Jacques Treptow from Drift Reaction said the last price increase is “costing the company an additional R6 000 a month – that would have paid for about six tanks of fuel previously. The fuel bill is our second biggest expense, after salaries. We cannot just keep increasing the fees our clients pay, as they can’t afford more, so we’ll have to cut costs elsewhere. Overall, it’s a ‘lose- lose’ situation”.
And with silly season around the corner, the community might have some trouble coping with the added stress of both owning a business and trying to keep it afloat despite the constant rise of prices.
It’s also the time of year with the most recorded suicides.
Karina Swart, Director of LifeLine West Rand, said that as long as we are alive, we are always under some form of stress.
“Sometimes the stress is low – for instance, when we are relaxing, and sometimes the stress is high – for instance, when we are involved in a car accident. Nevertheless, as long as we are alive, we are experiencing stress. Stress cannot be avoided and our stress level is never at zero,” said Swart.
“Besides the fact that stress is unavoidable, it is important to realise there are several aspects of stress that you should understand. One is that both too high and too low stress levels are damaging. If you experience extremely high stress levels for too long, physiological problems such as headaches, ulcers and muscle pains can develop. However, boredom can make us just as sick as high stress. A certain amount of stress is necessary for meeting the challenges of our lives and for providing the energy required to maintain life, resist aggression, and adapt to constantly changing external influences.”
She gave the following tips for self-management of stress:
• Do relaxation/ visualisation exercises.
• Do physical exercises, participating/ watching sport
• Take up and practise a hobby
• Arrange family time/ fun times
• Start journalling
• Nurture yourself … make time for your favourite activity
“The key to wellness is to accept responsibility for your health and wellbeing,” she added.
If you are experiencing added stress, consider contacting LifeLine West Rand via one of the following numbers:
• National Crisis Line: 0861 322 322 • Aids Helpline: 0800 012 322
• Stop Abuse Helpline: 0800 150 150,
• Book a face-to-face counselling session at their offices on 011 665 2281, between 8am and 4pm
LifeLine also offers a Personal Growth and Counselling Skills Course. To register for the upcoming course in 2018, send an e-mail to office@lifelinewestrand.co.za or visit the offices at 25 Boshoff Street (cnr Commissioner Street) Krugersdorp.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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