However, the prevalence of NVC in Vietnam remains limited due to the nation’s cultural essence of collectivism and high power distance. The hierarchical structure inherent in Vietnamese society makes it challenging for NVC’s principles of open and equal dialogue to take root. In Vietnamese communication, there is a tendency to make quick judgments and often fall into patterns of victim-blaming and guilt-tripping. This mode of communication fails to foster a safe space for open dialogue, leading to a lack of understanding and preventing many individuals from voicing their needs and concerns.

This issue is particularly pronounced for those dealing with highly stigmatized topics such as mental health, domestic violence, and sexual assault, leaving many victims isolated and unsupported. The stigma surrounding these issues often silences victims, making it difficult for them to seek help or express their experiences.

Implementing NVC as a norm in everyday communication is crucial for fostering a more compassionate and understanding society. It is especially important to introduce NVC principles during early childhood through educators, teachers, and parents. Teaching children these communication skills from a young age can help cultivate a more empathetic and supportive future for Vietnam. By embedding NVC into the fabric of daily interactions, we can work towards creating a society where every individual feels heard, respected, and understood.

This persistence of high tobacco use indicates the need for more robust policies. Raising taxes on tobacco products is an efficient strategy, providing both health benefits and economic gains.

Why Tax Increases Work

Raising taxes on tobacco products leverages the price elasticity of demand. Unlike outright bans, which can lead to black market proliferation, tax increases leverage the price elasticity of demand. For addictive products like tobacco, low tobacco prices offer little incentive to quit, and second-hand smoke remains prevalent. But a 10% increase in tobacco prices can reduce consumption by 4-5%, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where consumers are more price-sensitive. This is crucial for Vietnam, where the tobacco tax is significantly lower than in many other countries—38.8% of the retail price compared to 78.6% in Thailand and 67.1% in Singapore.

Specific Steps for Vietnam

1. Increase Tobacco Taxes and Allocate Revenue for Health Initiatives: Raising tobacco taxes is the most cost-effective way to reduce tobacco use. Higher taxes decrease consumption and increase government revenue. This revenue should be allocated to public health programs, smoking cessation services, and educational campaigns, creating a positive feedback loop.

2. Ban Tobacco Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship (TAPS): Enforcing a complete ban on TAPS reduces the visibility and appeal of tobacco products, particularly to youth. This measure has been effective in many countries and is crucial for reducing tobacco consumption among young people.

3. Combat Illicit Trade: Higher taxes might increase illicit trade. Strengthening border controls and law enforcement can mitigate this risk, ensuring that tobacco products are sold through legal channels for proper taxation and regulation.

4. Strengthen Regulation of New Tobacco Products: Proper classification and regulation of new tobacco products like heated tobacco and e-cigarettes are essential. These products are often available on the black market in Vietnam, leading to uncontrolled health risks and lost tax revenue. Clear legal definitions and strict regulations are needed to manage these products effectively and integrate them into existing tobacco control laws.

Conclusion

Raising taxes on tobacco products is a cost-effective strategy that makes tobacco more expensive and less accessible, deterring youth initiation and encouraging current users to reduce or quit. Implementing a comprehensive approach that respects market principles while ensuring public health safety is crucial for effective tobacco control in Vietnam and beyond.

#NCDsSeries #Article1

Today, let’s explore with us - Group 3 - the success story ofabout effective Alcohol Control from a country and see what Vietnam can learn from itthem.

Iceland in the past - Land of Liquors

In the 1990s, Iceland faced a significant problem with teenage drinking. Rates of alcohol and substance use among teenagers were among the highest in Europe, and the future seemed bleak.

The city councilor in Reykjavik, Iceland, now in his 50s, says it was a cultural rite of passage.

"When I was growing up, we had a dramatically different culture regarding teen drinking habits, smoking ... When you were 13, you were supposed to start drinking and pretty much everyone did that. It was just part of the culture. There was something wrong with you if you didn't," said Helgason, chair of the city's Education and Youth Committee.

At that time and into the 1990s, the teen drinking rate in Iceland was around 42 percentper cent. It was the highest rate in Europe.

Now, when surveyed by the Icelandic Centre for Social Research and Analysis (ICSRA), only five percent of teens in Iceland reported getting drunk in the past 30 days. The ICSRA is a non-profit institute at Reykjavik University.

So, how did Iceland turn the ship right around?

Iceland embarked on a bold and comprehensive journey towards alcohol control and prevention. They implemented a multifaceted approach that included strict regulations on the availability of alcohol, pricing policies to make alcohol less accessible, and robust public education campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol misuse. They also invested heavily in youth programs, offering engaging and healthy alternatives to drinking.

Within a few years, the rates of teenage drinking in Iceland plummeted, and the overall health and well-being of their youth improved significantly. Today, Iceland boasts some of the lowest rates of teenage drinking in Europe, serving as a beacon of hope and a model for other nations grappling with similar challenges.

What Vietnam can learn from Iceland

Firstly, Vietnam’s government can regulate the availability of alcohol by limiting the hours and places where it can be purchased. This can reduce opportunities for excessive consumption, much like setting boundaries on a ship's route to avoid dangerous reefs. Particularly, there has been a “raid” from the police of Vietnam to prevent Driving after Drinking, these series have decreased a large portion of traffic accidents in Vietnam. Cheers to Vietnam!

Secondly, the exciting part is that the young generation can give a great helping hand in this issue, too. We the young can assist in raising awareness about the risks associated with alcohol using our social media and tech-savvy minds. We must   equip individuals with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions, just as a well-informed crew can better navigate stormy seas. Additionally, as Iceland’s youth initiatives have shown, providing support for those struggling with alcohol dependence is vital. Offering resources and treatment options is like providing lifeboats and rescue plans for those already caught in the tempest of addiction.

The journey towards effective alcohol control is not without its challenges. It requires global cooperation, national commitment, and local action. As with any journey, it starts with a single, deliberate course correction—one policy, one action, one life at a time.

#NCDsSeries #Article2

Everyone at school says their moms have superpowers! To me, my mom is a fairy who spins magic threads into the most beautiful dresses. The place where she works is full of other fairies, who weave magic with those sewing machines. Every night, the whirring of her machine fills our small apartment; it hums like a happy bee, crafting sparkly gowns for little girls like me.

But lately, my fairy has been coughing a lot. Not the playful kind after a tickle in her throat, but a deep, heavy cough that makes her wince. Sometimes, when I think she doesn't see me, I catch a glimpse of a tear slipping down her cheek. It worries me, you see, because fairies aren't supposed to cry.

One day, I found a big, scary word in the grown-up papers Mom leaves on the table – "cancer." I asked her about it, and her voice grew small. She explained it wasn't a monster, but something bad in her lungs, making it hard to breathe. My heart thumped like a drum solo. That night, I put on the most dazzling dress Mom ever made, the one that shimmers like moonlight. In it, I felt brave, like a tiny fairy myself. I twirled in front of Mom, a goofy grin plastered on my face. "We're going to find the cure for your curse, Mommy!" I declared, feeling braver than ever. Her lips twitched into a smile, and for a moment, the cough was forgotten.

We decided to fight this curse together. Mom learned more about this "cancer" and ways to heal. We found brave doctors with kind eyes who poked and prodded but never hurt. They talked about things called "treatments" and "early detection," which sounded like magic spells to break the curse. The doctor gave Mommy some medicine and told her to rest more. It wasn't the magical cure I imagined, but it felt important. We returned home with a new kind of magic – the magic of knowledge and care.

It wasn't always easy. Sometimes, Mom felt tired, the sparkle in her eyes a little dimmer. Every few weeks, we'd visit the doctor wizards, and slowly but surely, Mommy's cough faded. But we never gave up hope. I'd sing her songs, read her stories, and most importantly, remind her how much I loved my fairy.

Slowly, with each "spell" and every giggle, Mom grew stronger. The cough became less frequent, and the sparkle in her eyes returned brighter than ever. The lullaby of the sewing machine came back, stronger and more cheerful than before!

This journey taught me a big lesson – sometimes, even fairies need help. Cancer can be scary, but with early checkups and the right treatment, it doesn't have to be the end of the story. With a little bit of bravery, a lot of love, and some help from kind doctors, we can break any curse. 

#NCDsSeries #Article3 #FightCancer #EarlyDetection

June is the peak time for final tests and deadlines at Pisa’s university. However, Pisa has been experiencing health issues he hasn't encoutered before. Firstly, regarding his mental health, Pisa notices something abnormal in his sleeping habits. He struggles to fall asleep and suffers from daytime sleepiness, making it harder for him to focus on his lessons at university. Secondly, due to the lack of sleep, he easily loses his temper with friends and experiences indescribable emotional swings. Unfortunately, Pisa’s poor emotional management has resulted in bad marks on his assignments. One day he got caught in the rain; as a result, he caught a cold. Pisa continued to self-medicate, but his cold didn't go away. Pisa was worried about his well-being, so he started researching the cause of the issue and recognized that sleep and immunity are intimately connected. The body makes crucial proteins called cytokines that are essential to immune system function when we sleep. Sleep control improves immunity, which helps prevent infections or repair wounds. An effective immune system will be sustained by getting enough sleep, and vice versa.

Revenge bedtime procrastination seriously messes with Pisa’s productivity. Staying up late means he gets poor-quality sleep, which makes it hard for him to remember things, pay attention, and make decisions On his days off, Pisa sleeps in until noon, which messes up his sleep schedule even more and keeps the cycle of sleep deprivation going. This constant lack of sleep makes it tough for him to focus during lectures and takes him longer to understand and finish his coursework. Therefore, his stress levels go up, and he struggles to keep up with his schoolwork.

When Pisa's bedtime procrastination started affecting his health and grades, he sought help from a psychologist.

Firstly, the psychologist advised Pisa to create a consistent bedtime routine to signal to his body that it's time to sleep. This could include activities like a warm shower, brushing his teeth, gentle yoga, reading, or journaling to help him wind down easily. Secondly, the psychologist emphasized avoiding stimulants, such as sugary drinks, caffeine, and alcohol as they can interfere with sleep quality. Thirdly, to better manage his workload and reduce stress, the psychologist recommended Pisa make a to-do list. Planning his day and tasks ahead of time would prevent last-minute rushes and allow more time for relaxation and sleep. Finally, the psychologist suggested creating a sleep-friendly bedroom by dimming lights, playing soft music, and keeping the room cool. Pisa followed the advice and gradually noticed significant improvements in his sleep, mental health, and academic performance.

Thus, Pisa's story reminds students that having enough sleep is essential to achieving their best efforts. While staying up late may provide temporary satisfaction, the long-term consequences on health and productivity are detrimental. This case proves that prioritising sleep and effective time management are crucial for improving sleep hygiene and sustaining well-being.

This may be the case when you are in a toxic relationship with productivity! It’s just like when you are blindly in love and sacrifice everything else, leaving no room for hobbies, friends, or even sleep; when you constantly have to prove yourself, but the finish line keeps moving.

In this hustle age, toxic productivity is even more easy to catch than a cold. With the information overload and countless choices, we face each day, it is no wonder we're constantly feeling FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and peer pressure. We all feel guilty and ashamed of comparing ourselves to others, but here's the tea: there's no one-way-fits-all to success. Each of us is on our journey, so why compare our chapter one to someone else's chapter ten?

You may ask “Why should I ghost the guy Toxic Productivity, they are charming and always encourage me to try hard?”.  Well, later on, this guy will introduce you to their friends named Burnout, Anxiety, and Imposter syndrome. Trust me, you will not want to meet them. They will mess with both your mental and physical well-being. 😰 So, it’s time to find Your Perfect Match! Here are some suggested techniques to know which work is your Mr. Right - the one worth spending time and effort with 🤭

1.  Internal Reflection:

Imagine searching for something without an idea what it is. Yep, horribly clueless, that's like being productive without purpose. Set aside some “me time” to meditate, journal, or have an honest conversation with yourself. There are certain questions that you can ask:

●       Who am I?

●       What do I want to achieve?

●       Why do I want to achieve this goal?

●       How can I achieve that goal?

This step is like setting up your Tinder account - know who you are and what you want!

2.  External Exploration:

Once you have done making up the profile, here are some steps you might follow to find out more about the kind of work:

●       Watch: observe how other people do that work, how they react, behave, and do to finish it successfully.

●       Check: Reflect on what you've observed. Does it vibe with you?

●       Do: Take action, babe! Create a small project—like going on a date with a new task.  Think of it as a casual date to get to know each other, and don’t stress about commitment!

●       Feel: Evaluate afterward. How do you feel after dating?

There is no perfect productivity potion that balances all aspects ideally. This guide is just a recommendation from our team. The key is that you have to take time to know and date with a work that's healthy and supportive. Remember: protect your well-being, and may your personal development thrive. 🌟

Immune function, food processing, and other elements of host physiology are all dependent on the presence of commensal bacteria (Foster & McVey Neufeld, 2013). They're engaged in almost all of your body's processes and work similarly to a second brain. The way we think, behave, and feel can be changed by neurotransmitters. Most neurotransmitters are produced in our gut as a wide spectrum of mammalian neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), have been proven to be produced and/or consumed by bacteria in the gut (Strandwitz, 2018). Serotonin is created in the gut, and the gut accounts for approximately 90% of the body's serotonin (Fung et al., 2019). Probiotic increases and produces serotonin which alleviates depressive symptoms. As a result, it could be a target for new antidepressant medications (Wallace & Milev, 2017).  

Recent research highlights that microbiota-based interventions can influence neurotransmitter levels, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue for treating mood disorders like depression and anxiety (Strandwitz, 2018). This is particularly relevant as an imbalance in the gut microbiome, known as dysbiosis, has been linked to mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. This imbalance might stem from disrupted interactions between the brain, the intestine, and the enteric microbiome, which are implicated in a variety of diseases affecting both the central nervous system (CNS) and the enteric nervous system (ENS), as well as conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Israelyan & Margolis, 2018). 

Further, initial human studies support the notion that adjusting the microbiota can also modify neurotransmitter levels, opening new possibilities for using microbiome development in the management of depression (Strandwitz, 2018). Probiotics, for example, can help re-establish a normal microbial balance and thus may aid in the treatment and prevention of anxiety and depression (Clapp et al., 2017). Additionally, multiple studies have explored how prebiotics and probiotics affect emotional behavior and stress responses. Indeed, randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that probiotics can effectively treat depression (Qader & Choudry, 2017). Furthermore, prebiotic and probiotic supplements have shown to mitigate the adverse effects of stress, likely by modulating the immune system, while also improving behavior (Cruz-Pereira et al., 2020).

So, how can we support a healthy microbiome? One way is through probiotics—beneficial live bacteria found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha (Kok & Hutkins, 2018). These foods help replenish our gut with good bacteria and promote microbial diversity.  

Another supportive measure involves prebiotics—types of dietary fiber that feed the good bacteria in our gut (Davani-Davari et al., 2019). Foods like garlic, onions, leeks, bananas, and asparagus are rich in prebiotics and help nourish our microbiome.  

Additionally, cutting-edge research is exploring fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). This procedure involves transferring fecal matter from a healthy donor to the gastrointestinal tract of a patient to restore the microbial balance (Brandt, 2013). While still experimental, FMT has shown promising results in treating certain health conditions like Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile infection and inflammatory bowel disease.  

Embracing and nurturing the beneficial bacteria within us may be the key to a happier, and healthier life. By incorporating probiotics and prebiotics into our diets and staying informed about new therapies like FMT, we can harness the power of our microbiome. Remember, the next time you think about boosting your mental health, consider the microscopic allies within—you might find the secret to happiness right there in your gut.

References

Brandt, L. J. (2013). American Journal of Gastroenterology Lecture: Intestinal Microbiota and the Role of Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) in Treatment of C. difficile Infection. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 108(2), 177–185. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2012.450

Clapp, M., Aurora, N., Herrera, L., Bhatia, M., Wilen, E., & Wakefield, S. (2017). Gut microbiota’s effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis. Clinics and Practice, 7(4), 987. https://doi.org/10.4081/cp.2017.987

Cruz-Pereira, J. S., Rea, K., Nolan, Y. M., O’Leary, O. F., Dinan, T. G., & Cryan, J. F. (2020). Depression’s unholy trinity: Dysregulated stress, immunity, and the microbiome. Annual Review of Psychology, 71(1), 49–78. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-122216-011613

Davani-Davari, D., Negahdaripour, M., Karimzadeh, I., Seifan, M., Mohkam, M., Masoumi, S. J., Berenjian, A., & Ghasemi, Y. (2019). Prebiotics: Definition, types, sources, mechanisms, and clinical applications. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 8(3), 92. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods8030092

Foster, J. A., & McVey Neufeld, K.-A. (2013). Gut–brain axis: How the microbiome influences anxiety and depression. Trends in Neurosciences, 36(5), 305–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2013.01.005

Israelyan, N., & Margolis, K. G. (2018). Serotonin as a link between the gut-brain-microbiome axis in autism spectrum disorders. Pharmacological Research, 132, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2018.03.020

Kok, C. R., & Hutkins, R. (2018). Yogurt and other fermented foods as sources of health-promoting bacteria. Nutrition Reviews, 76(Supplement_1), 4–15. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuy056

Neufeld, K. M., Kang, N., Bienenstock, J., & Foster, J. A. (2010). Reduced anxiety-like behavior and central neurochemical change in germ-free mice. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 23(3), 255-e119. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2982.2010.01620.x

Qader, A., & Choudry, U. K. (2017). Role of Microbiome-gut-brain axis in Depression. Global Journal of Research and Review, 04(02). https://doi.org/10.21767/2393-8854.100018

Strandwitz, P. (2018). Neurotransmitter modulation by the gut microbiota. Brain Research, 1693, 128–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2018.03.015

Wallace, C. J. K., & Milev, R. (2017). The effects of probiotics on depressive symptoms in humans: A systematic review. Annals of General Psychiatry, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-017-0138-2

1. Finding Passion in Work:

Being passionate about your work can significantly enhance motivation. When you love what you do, it becomes easier to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively. However, it can be challenging for us to be passionate and enthusiastic about our work. To solve that, reflection journals, mentorship or counseling sessions (motivational interviewing) are what you should consider to get yourself back on track. Drawing inspiration from successful young entrepreneurs who balance work with regular exercise and family time can fuel your drive to achieve your goals.

2. Leveraging Digital Tools and Communities:

Explore productivity apps and online work-life balance communities such as Focus Mode on iPhone or StudyTogether mode on Discord,, to learn from others' experiences and discover new strategies. These resources can provide valuable insights and support to help you navigate the challenges of maintaining balance in a fast-paced world.

3. Offline Connections and Self-Care:

Incorporate offline activities into your routine to fully disconnect and recharge. Schedule catch-ups with friends or dedicate time to pursue hobbies that bring you joy and relaxation. Additionally, prioritize self-care practices such as mindfulness meditation to manage stress and cultivate a positive mindset.

4. Exercise: A Cornerstone of Balance:

Regular exercise is a cornerstone of maintaining work-life balance and overall well-being. Consider incorporating diverse exercise routines into your schedule to manage stress, boost energy levels, and improve mental health. Here are some effective options:

• Yoga: Combining physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation, yoga promotes relaxation and flexibility.

• Walking or Running: Easily fitting into a busy schedule, these cardiovascular activities revive your body and mind.

• Strength Training: Building muscle and increasing endurance, strength training can be done in short, practical sessions.

• Cycling: Improving cardiovascular health and reducing stress, cycling is a low-impact workout suitable for any lifestyle.

• HIIT: Offering maximum benefits in minimal time, HIIT improves endurance.

5. Tailoring Your Fitness Regimen:

By incorporating a blend of aerobic, strength, flexibility, and high-intensity interval training, individuals can maximize their physical and mental well-being. Aerobic activities improve cardiovascular fitness, strength training builds muscle mass, flexibility exercises enhance range of motion, and HIIT offers time-efficient workouts.

In conclusion, achieving work-life balance requires a holistic approach that encompasses passion, digital resources, offline connections, self-care practices, and regular exercise. By prioritizing balance and staying motivated, young professionals in Vietnam can unlock happiness and fulfillment both personally and professionally.