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In busy Jakarta, some finds it hard to fall asleep
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A spice trader rests near his wares in Kota Tua, West Jakarta, on Jan. 21. (JP/P.J.Leo )
F
or some, hitting the pillow is a rewarding moment after a hard day of work. For others, the fear of not being able to fall asleep is a self-fulfilling prophesy.
Riana is among those who feel anxious at night, barring her from getting a good night sleep.
"I'm afraid I can't fall asleep. Every time I can't, I become anxious, which also makes it harder for me to sleep," the 31-year-old bank employee said recently.
She said she had looked for ways to get better sleep, including two visits to a psychologist and one to a psychiatrist, who gave her anti-anxiety medication and sleeping pills. However, she stopped the medication out of fear of becoming too dependent on it.
Riana has linked her sleeping trouble to internal problems.
"I get anxious easily; that’s part of my character. I also have pressure from work, which I think is carried over to my resting time. Living here [in Jakarta] makes me feel like I have to achieve something,” Riana said.
Similarly, Sonia Alina, 35, who works for a state-owned company, has found it harder to fall asleep lately.
