European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 19, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                To your health Fibula Tibia talus a labout by Janet d Agostino medical writer he ankle is Ono of the most constantly used and one of the most frequently injured parts of the human body. Children and Young military service members in particular put the ankle to the test running jumping turning sharply and accelerating quickly. One wrong step can end in a sprain or fracture of the ankle incapacitating the owner for several weeks. Service members Are susceptible to ankle injuries because of the requirements and characteristics of military life said maj. Craig Hatton an orthopaedic surgeon and chief of the department of orthopaedics at the air Force regional medical Center in Wiesbaden. West Germany. Physical training Field duty and after work athletic activities on often uneven terrain or Ungro oved surfaces put service members Ankles at greater risk than Normal activities he said softball in part because of the sheer number of players seems to take out More Ankles than any other activity nation said. 1 a calcaneus. I1 Vii we a f 5 i Kij Tom. Is kor 4& " f1" in the Over Yuruy inks be can pity  softball players hit the Diamond unprepared overextend themselves and suffer an ankle injury As a result. At the beginning of each sports season the Wiesbaden Hospital receives a flood of sports injuries Halton said. During softball season the number of regularly scheduled orthopaedic appointments is reduced so doctors can Man the Emera enc room to care for injured Ankles Knees and stress control by Richard j. Schoudel Many people think of stress As another Way of saying tension or pressure actually stress is just the Way we respond to change. Understanding Streisand its effects can help you use it to your own advantage and turn potential stressor into positive challenges. Stress is defined As a response by your body to any demand made upon it. Your body responds to stress in Many ways. Hormones like adrenaline surge. Your heartbeat and blood pressure increase. Your blood sugar rises these effects unchanged for thousands of years aided prehistoric humans survive by helping them run away faster or fight harder by the time they had finished running or fighting their bodies had discharged the tension of the moment and their stress response was followed by relaxation. This reaction to stress is often called our body s Light or flight response. Most people think of stressor or things that cause stress As negative such As traffic a difficult Job or divorce. Many Are aware of tense Muscles headaches or stomach aches during before or alter such situations but stressor can also be positive experiences. Having a baby graduating from school getting married or completing a satisfying project Are All changes that can activate your stress response. Your body can t Tell the difference Between a pos Livie or negative stressor. In either Case your body experiences the same stress effects ii you Are not Able to Lei off steam and relax these effects can be harmful. You May experience physical symptoms such As a clenched jaw tension headache or a backache. However there Are Many ways to keep All the negative effects of different stressor to a minimum. The next time you feel the effects of too much stress try some of the following ways to help you relax both physically and emotionally deep breathing while sitting lying Down or standing close your eyes and breathe in slowly. Let the breath out for a count of 5 to 10 seconds. Take ten of these super relaxers any time you feel tense. Stretching practice simple stretches such As the neck stretch stretch your neck by gently rolling your head in a half Circle starting at one Side then dropping your Chin to your Chest then to the other Side. Exercise All kinds of physical activity hiking running Bowling walking Etc help to reduce stress. Eat Well reduce caffeine in Coffee Black Tea and chocolate and alcohol intake. Find out if your diet is Well balanced and take Steps to eat healthily to help reduce stress. Talk take the time to talk with a Friend mate or child. Express feelings you might have been holding in. Listen carefully to your partner. Walking in a quiet neighbourhood or Park can limit distractions. Laugh go to a comedy club see a funny movie or spend time with a funny Friend. Cry crying can be As Good a release As laughing. It you Haven t cried in a Long time try listening to sad music watching a sad movie or writing about a sad experience. Do something you love when you enjoy yourself whether it s gardening going to the Beach Reading or seeing friends you relax your emotions. Remember stress is like body temperature. If it s too Low or too High you can t survive but the right balance can keep you going Strong. It makes sense to use stress Energy positively to meet life s challenges experiences and goals. Stress is not All bad. In fact positive stress can make life both Rich and satisfying. Capt. Richard j. Schoudel is the health promotions coordinator at the air Force regional medical Center in Wiesbaden West Germany. A ?.g i " taking walk in a quiet place and talking with a mend or mate can help relieve stress. Flap boo Page 16 the stars and stripes tuesday september 19, 1989