In many countries, the number of people suffering from stress is increasing. What do you think are the causes of this problem and what measures could be taken to tackle it?

The foremost cause is the growing expectation that employees remain constantly available outside their contracted hours. To clarify, the widespread use of smartphones and instant messaging means that many workers now respond to emails and calls well into the evening, leaving little time to mentally disengage from their responsibilities. This constant connectivity blurs the boundary between professional and personal life. In addition, the pervasive use of social media exacerbates the problem, since people are continually exposed to curated images of others' apparent success and prosperity. Comparing their own circumstances unfavourably with these idealised portrayals leaves many individuals feeling inadequate and perpetually under pressure to achieve more.

Fortunately, several measures could meaningfully alleviate this problem. Employers could introduce clear policies limiting after-hours communication, thereby granting staff the uninterrupted rest they need to recover both physically and mentally. For instance, some companies have already implemented systems that automatically disable email delivery outside working hours, a practice that other organisations should be encouraged to adopt. On an individual level, people could benefit from allocating deliberate time away from social media and cultivating hobbies unconnected to professional or social comparison. Governments, too, have a role to play by funding accessible mental health services and public awareness campaigns that encourage early intervention before stress escalates into more serious illness.

In conclusion, although rising stress levels are largely driven by relentless connectivity and unhealthy social comparison, coordinated action from employers, individuals and governments could substantially ease the burden that so many people currently carry.