16 APRIL - WORLD STRESS AWARENESS DAY

Today, the world celebrates World Stress Awareness Day - a non-specific reaction of the human nervous system to intense external stimuli. Stress confronts us at every turn, especially during a full-scale invasion, when many individuals find themselves in a state of chronic stress.

By 2025, most Ukrainians can say, "I know precisely what chronic stress is". For over three years, we have been living in a reality where:

• Airstrike alerts are a daily routine.
• The daily news is a source of anxiety.
• Planning for the future is something you fear.

Stress is a primary contributor to poor health, particularly concerning heart attacks or existing heart conditions. The link between the nervous and cardiovascular systems causes heart rate and blood pressure to rise during stressful situations.

At the same time, blood flow through the coronary arteries and heart muscle increases, leading to a heightened heart demand for oxygen. The dangerous clinical consequences of this condition include arterial hypertension, heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia, and thrombosis. Even those who appear strong battle an invisible enemy every day—exhaustion.

Meanwhile, doctors provide reassurance: "Stress is not a sentence. It does not necessarily lead to disastrous consequences. It can and should be managed".

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Here are some simple yet effective tips from doctors that can significantly help reduce the harmful effects on your body during a stressful situation:

1. Breathe mindfully. Take five deep breaths followed by a slow exhale. It may seem trivial, but these simple actions tell the brain, "The danger has passed".
   
2. Limit your news consumption. Checking for updates once a day is sufficient to stay informed and prevent emotional burnout.
   
3. Share responsibilities. You don't need to do everything alone. Seeking assistance is empowering.
   
4. Get moving! A short walk, a dance to your favorite song, or simply sipping a drink can lower your cortisol levels.
   
5. Allow yourself to feel. Tears, anger, and tiredness are natural. Suppressing emotions only heightens tension.

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At the DobroDiy charity exchange, we communicate every day with parents of seriously ill children and individuals who have lost their homes, jobs, and familiar lives. Despite their tiredness and pain, they continue to fight because they have supporters. Today is an excellent opportunity to remind someone that they are not alone and to remind yourself that you are alive!

Take care of yourself and one another!

Support those who are struggling and in need of assistance: https://248.dp.ua/projects.