16 APRIL - STRESS AWARENESS DAY

As defined by the World Health Organization, stress - is a state of anxiety or mental stress caused by a difficult situation. It is a natural response that focuses a person's attention on problems or threats that arise in everyday life. Short-term stress helps you to complete daily tasks and overcome challenges, but long-term stressful situations cause chronic stress and can lead to physical and mental health problems.

Symptoms of stress:

• increased fatigue, insomnia, inattention, memory disorders;
• emotional instability and mood changes, overexcitement, irritability, aggressiveness;
• anxiety, excessive worry, unreasonable fears, depression;
• regular physical ailments;
• Difficulties in relationships in the family or with loved ones, a sense of alienation from society;
• lack of desire to work or inefficiency in work, etc.

Individual personality traits, stress tolerance, mental and physical health, and societal factors can strengthen or weaken stress reactions. Chronic stress is called the "silent killer" of the 21st century. Stress is the cause of almost 90% of all diseases, so don't put it off until the last minute and ignore the numerous signals your body is sending you.

In most cases, stress can be overcome. Self-care skills and self-help techniques can help.

Recommendations for self-management of stress:

• It's enough to rest;
• Eat well and drink water as regularly as possible;
• communicate and spend time with family and friends;
• discuss problems with those you trust;
• take daily walks and exercise;
• do things that help you relax - travelling, doing crossword puzzles, playing with children, finding a hobby (drawing, sewing, dancing, singing), etc.

What NOT to do to manage stress: not to consume alcohol or other psychoactive substances, not to smoke, not to commit violence; not to sleep all day or work without rest and relaxation; not to withdraw from friends and family; not to neglect basic personal hygiene.

With self-help techniquesrecommended by the World Health Organisation to significantly alleviate stress, can be found at the following links:

• manual"Important skills in times of stress" https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240003927
• website of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine https://moz.gov.ua/uk/tehniki-samodopomogi-pri-stresi-rekomendacii-vooz
• website Public Health Centre Ministry of Health of Ukraine https://phc.org.ua/news/stres-yak-resurs-instrumenti-dlya-pidtrimki-psikhichnogo-zdorovya
• application "Diia. Barrier-free"  https://bf.diia.gov.ua/articles/vazhlyvi-navychky-v-period-stresu

At the same time, it is important to rememberIf a person is unable to overcome stress on their own for a long time, they need additional support and should consult a psychologist or family doctor, who will help identify problems and find ways to help improve their overall physical and mental well-being!

Alla TROKAY, municipal hygiene specialist at the VENPNH