Try Solo Self-Care This Weekend!

 

Following up on this week's post about self-kindness, our friends at @PositivelyPresent recently shared this colorful graphic depicting some simple self-care ideas that folks can enjoy solo as a special treat to ourselves! Of course, connecting with others is always a great element of self-care, but sometimes having alone time can be the way to go too.

One idea that speaks to me is making a playlist. Music can spark so many feel good emotions!🎵 Having music playing in your headset, earbuds, or throughout your home can even make doing everyday chores more enjoyable and productive. And since it's the weekend, why not tune into your favorite songs while you do the laundry or work in the garden?

It's necessary to integrate self-care practices that make us feel healthier and whole. When you make time to do something positive and uplifting for yourself, even if it's just for an hour or so, it can feed your mind and your soul. YOU are with it! 😊

Catch Project Prom on Tonight’s FOX 13 TV News

 

Project Prom will be highlighted on the news tonight! Tune in to Fox 13 News "What's Good in Tampa Bay" segment on Thursday, February 20 at 6:50 pm to see the segment filmed at the Project Prom Store Grand Opening earlier this month. 

Project Prom coordinator, Samantha Barwig, and members of the UthMpact Polk coalition who help operate the Project Prom Store in Lakeland Square Mall were interviewed about this special effort to provide prom formal wear to local high school students free of charge in exchange for signing a pledge to celebrate alcohol- and drug-free during prom and graduation seasons.

The next Student Shopping Day at the Project Prom Store is this Saturday, February 22, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the Lakeland Square Mall (use entrance to the right of Dillards).

Self-Kindness Matters!

 

Today's world can be stressful and challenging. Self-kindness can be a powerful skill to help us power through as we learn to cope with setbacks and challenging emotions, work through difficult situations, and ultimately stay on track to meet our individual and unique goals.💪

February is a perfect time to put the spotlight on self-kindness.💜Self-kindness doesn't always mean relaxing in a warm bubble bath. It can simply be taking care of ourselves and focusing on what we need to feel our best and work toward our individual goals.

Truth is that we ALL need a little more self-kindness and self-love in our lives. So for today, choose one of the Self-Kindness Activities suggested in the graphic above from Pathway2Success and put it into action as a step toward a healthy life balance.👍

CNN Poll Shows Half of U.S. Adults Say Moderate Drinking is Bad for Health

 

A recent CNN Poll conducted during January 2025 shows that half of U.S. adults feel that moderate drinking - one or two drinks a day - is bad for your health. Only 25% of Americans felt the same way according to a 2007 Gallup poll.

Official findings of the 2025 CNN Poll of 1,206 U.S. respondents aged 18 & older, conducted between January 9 - January 12, reported:

*50% of U.S. adults said moderate drinking is bad for your health - 43% said it makes no difference

*8% of respondents said drinking in moderation is good for health - compared to 22% of Americans in 2007 poll

*More women (55%) than men (44%) said moderate drinking is bad for health

*More younger adults (under age 45) said moderate drinking is bad for health (55%) than those over age 45 (46%)

This is the latest national survey to show changing perceptions of alcohol among Americans. A Gallup poll conducted in July 2024 found that 45% of Americans felt moderate drinking was detrimental. In both polls, younger adults were more likely to say drinking isn't healthy.

"Drinking too much on a single occasion or over time can take a serious toll on health," according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) at the National Institutes of Health, which lists the effects of alcohol consumption on the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, immune system, and states its link to cancer. 

In addition, a growing body of scientific evidence has found alcohol is harmful to sleep and may raise the risk of heart disease and breast cancer for women. Researchers have also found that giving up alcohol, even for one month, can lead to significant improvements in metabolic health.

Read: https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/24/health/alcohol-risks-benefits-cnn-poll-wellness/index.html

Happy President’s Day – February 17, 2025

 

The third Monday of February is designated as a federal holiday in celebration of President's Day for Americans to reflect on our nation and its founding fathers, as well as its values and traditions. Take a moment today to celebrate history, leadership, and the impact of strong role models.

Four of our nation's former chief executives were born in February - George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, William Henry Harrison, and Ronald Reagan - so this holiday has come to be celebrated in most states in honor of all U.S. Presidents past and present.

Legend has it that George Washington chopped down a cherry tree during his youth. When asked by his father about it, he said, "I cannot tell a lie. I did it with my hatchet." Whether you believe this mythical tale is true or not, have a Happy President's Day!

InnerAct Alliance Celebrates 40 Years of Making An Impact!

 

InnerAct Alliance, formerly the Drug Prevention Resource Center, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency established in 1985 to reduce the abuse and underage use of harmful substances along with involvement in other risky behaviors through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development. 

During 2025, the agency is celebrating its 40th Anniversary of serving the community with science-based education programs that increase protective factors and decrease risk factors for nearly 15,000 students, as well as outreach to over 100,000 citizens via informative presentations, a premier youth leadership program, teen-driven social norms marketing, and family-oriented awareness events, while also serving as the fiscal agent for the StandUP Polk (adult) and UthMpact (youth) coalitions.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way whether through donations toward prevention programs, sponsoring or participating in the Annual Red Ribbon Run, or simply liking, commenting, or sharing our social media or blog posts. Your support makes everything we do possible and we could not have done it without you!           

Happy Feel-Good Friday!

 

Today is Friday - the best day of the week! There is indeed a feeling about Fridays that you just don't get any other day! 😎

According to Psychology Today, it's the power of anticipation that makes us happier on Fridays. Studies have found that one of the reasons is the autonomy that the weekend gives us - the freedom to choose how we use our time. This impacts overall wellbeing. Often, it is time spent with family and friends for social support, which is one of the biggest and best protective factors to promote overall psychological health. 

When people have something to look forward to, their mood tends to improve as well. Today is also Valentine's Day, a day that celebrates love - so be sure to show yourself a little love as well as others. We wish you continued "feel good" joy! 💝