Russian government agencies and universities have begun purchasing anti-stress toys for their employees to help them cope with nervous tension. This was reported by the local Telegram channel Baza, according to infohub.kz.
Journalists uncovered dozens of unusual government contracts in which regional departments and universities are buying anti-stress toys with their logos by the hundreds. Ordinary citizens are also fueling the trend. Demand for such goods in Russia has soared nearly ninefold. In the summer alone, Russians purchased more than 12,000 such items for almost 8 million rubles.
In particular, according to the publication, Chelyabinsk State University ordered 160 soft "Suslik" toys with the university's symbols, Ufa Oil University ordered 100 anti-stress toys, and the Center for Regional Development of Novosibirsk Oblast ordered 50 "Snezhok" balls with the region's logo. Similar purchases have been made in other regions: in Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, board games were bought for events, and in Tuva, anti-stress coloring books were among the books purchased.
Kazakhstan has its own ways of dealing with stress. Earlier, Kursiv wrote that in Almaty one can now vent anger without harming others. Specifically, there is a place called AntiStress Space where you can smash dishes, break a TV, or destroy a cabinet by hitting it with a sledgehammer. There is also a relaxation room with a retro game console and an art zone where you can express your emotions literally on walls, canvases, and figurines with neon paints.
Kursiv also reported that mental health should be kept under control, explaining which symptoms mean you shouldn't delay a visit to the doctor and where you can get help.