Ukraine's First Lady shares how she copes with stress during war

Back in her school years, she had a passion for music, particularly playing the piano. During Russia’s full-scale invasion, Zelenska took up the instrument again, as it helps her maintain her mental health and cope with stress.

"I recalled how much it helps recalibrate emotions—I had forgotten what it felt like. I'm glad I'm getting back to it," Zelenska shared.

She decided to revive the knowledge she had gained earlier. Her children, Olena and Volodymyr Zelenskyy's daughter and son, also attended music school in the past. However, as the First Lady noted, they "gave it up quickly."

"I'm trying to restore (my skill—ed) now. I even found the sheet music left from when my daughter and son were still playing. They took lessons for a short time in their lives, too, but they gave up quickly—not like me," she said.

She also mentioned that she plays an electric piano with headphones.

"I play in headphones so that no one hears it. I have an electric piano. It’s such a pleasure—you can’t even imagine. No one hears your mistakes, no one is listening in," the First Lady shared.

Additionally, she recalled practicing music in her childhood, when her main audience was her mother.

"My mom always loved it when I played. I remember the piano was across from the kitchen, and my mom would be doing something in there, peeking out and watching me. It always annoyed me," said Olena Zelenska.

Olena Zelenska is the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and has served as the First Lady of Ukraine since May 20, 2019. She was formerly a scriptwriter for the Kvartal 95 studio. In 2023, she was included in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

The couple has two children: daughter Oleksandra and son Kyrylo.

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