Friday Focus: Challenge Yourself

 

Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a rut? Or that your daily activities didn't seem as fulfilling as they once were? That's normal. People grow and change with time. Goals and interests may change along with them.

One way to check in with yourself when you feel stuck or like life has just become too routine is to challenge yourself. Try something new. Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Do something unexpected.💪

Some ways to change yourself include:

* Aim for an extra block when you walk around your neighborhood

* Push yourself to learn something new - a new word or task every day

* Read books you've always wanted to - even ones that are long and daunting

* Try a new hobby

Find what feels good for you. Try out a few different activities and discover what makes you feel the most grounded and connected. Remember, every person is different. What feeds someone else's soul might not feed yours. And that's okay. Focus on your needs and little by little you may start to feel your mind, body, and soul begin to grow.

Thursday Thoughts: Be a Guiding Light for Your Children

 

Childhood is often pictured as happy-go-lucky and carefree, but like adults, children can also feel sad. When children are feeling down, it's important to know how to help them deal with emotions they may not yet know how to navigate. Let them know they are not alone and that everyone feels sad sometimes. This helps validate their emotions and reassures them that sad times are part of life, just as much as happy times.🧒

A great way to encourage children to share what is bothering them can be during playtime with play dough, sand, or water play. They can also draw or paint a picture to describe how they are feeling. These are tactile activities they can do while working out their feelings.✎🖌 Acting out through pretend play is another good way for children to make sense of what is happening in their lives. Practicing calm breathing or taking a walk or run can also help release sadness and stress.😔

Take time to connect with your children. Be their guiding light🌟so your child knows from a young age that they can come to you about anything - without fear of judgment or punishment.

Tips for Starting Prevention Talk with Young Children

 

Parents are the biggest influences in their child's life and honest conversations are powerful ways to connect with your kids and help them develop into healthy adults. But parents may wonder how young is too young to begin the "drug talk"?

Age-appropriate teachable moments come up all the time and at any age to help your child understand risks related to substance use. Even preschoolers can benefit from these natural opportunities for discussion.

It's all about building the foundation for healthy habits. One example is talking about their daily vitamin. Parents can explain how vitamins help your body grow strong, but how it is important to only take what mom or dad give them and how too many vitamins can hurt or make them sick. Another example can be when your child has a cold or flu - this presents an opportunity to explain how medicine can help when you're sick, but only when your parent or doctor gives it to you.😷

All of these scenarios can lay the foundation for teachable prevention moments for preschoolers without overwhelming them with too much information. At this age, it is about learning opportunities - like how to take good care of their bodies by eating right and getting good exercise and sleep.🛌

There are also opportunities to teach them about dangerous cleaning products and chemicals found in homes and why it is important to use them properly but also keep them safely stowed away.🧽

Another great lesson can be learned when you work with your child to find possible solutions to problems because it helps them gain confidence in their own ability to problem-solve and make decisions. These are important building blocks that will help kids through all of their ages and stages of life.

Project Prom Featured on Fox 13 TV News “What’s Right with Tampa Bay”

 

Did you happen to catch Project Prom on Fox 13 TV News "What's Right With Tampa Bay" last week? If not, click on the link below to hear more about InnerAct Alliance and UthMpact's 13-year effort providing prom formal wear and accessories to Polk high school students free of charge in exchange for signing a pledge to celebrate alcohol- and drug-free during prom and graduation seasons this spring!

Lakeland organization giving free prom attire with promise of a drug-free night 13 years & counting

https://www.fox13news.com/news/lakeland-organization-giving-free-prom-attire-promise-drug-free-night-13-years-counting?

In addition to providing formal wear at no charge, our goal is more than fashion. It is our hope to educate teens and families about the dangers of underage substance use, foster sound decision-making, and help create healthy lifelong memories. 

If your teen is still looking for the perfect gown or suit for Prom, there are 3 more Student Shopping Dates on the schedule – Saturdays, March 8, March 29, and April 5, from 11am to 4pm, at the Project Prom Store at Lakeland Square Mall (entrance to the right of Dillards). Bring your Polk High School ID to show, sign the pledge, and take home your formal wear, shoes, and accessories for FREE!

Florida Republicans Sponsoring Marijuana Expansion Bills

 

This morning, ABC News aired a report sharing that some Republican lawmakers are looking to expand access to medicinal marijuana and even recreational marijuana. In the last election, nearly 56% of Floridians voted yes to an amendment to make recreational marijuana legal, but it failed to hit Florida's 60% threshold and wasn't enough to pass.

Groups behind the 2024 amendment are planning to try again in 2026 with a new version that addresses some complaints associated with the old one - smoking in public and packaging appealing to children are prohibited - but that is a year and a half away. However, two new proposals have been filed in both the State House and Senate for the 2025 legislative session, which begins on March 4, that would make big changes to the state's medicinal marijuana program, including expanding the eligible medical conditions and allowing patients to grow their own plants. The House bill goes even further - permitting recreational use. It would allow adults age 21 & up to purchase up to 2 ounces of flower or 5 grams of concentrate.

When it comes to the recreational market, the House bill would move away from the vertical integration model, or "seed to sale" model, currently in place for the medical marijuana industry. Companies wanting to get into the recreational market would be able to choose a cultivator, processor, distributer, or retailer's license and cultivators could not hold any additional licenses. 

Proponents argue that being able to cultivate marijuana at home or cultivate collaboratively or collectively would help control what goes into the plant and what comes out of the plant. They also say it would allow for more companies to enter the marketplace in specialized parts of the industry, claiming it would be good for innovation, good for entrepreneurialism, and ultimately good for the consumer in price and choices.

While Republicans are sponsoring the two measures, it is unclear how much support they have overall.

It is important to stay up to date on this issue so that you are well informed. The following article outlines further information about the new marijuana bills filed for Florida's 2025 legislative session:

https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/18/florida-medical-marijuana-bills-legislature/78381851007/

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 Right With 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! 💝

Show the Love By Talking to Kids About Alcohol & Other Drugs

 

February is known as the month of LOVE and what  better way of showing your children that you love them than by arming them with knowledge?! 

Parents can help protect kids against alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use by giving them the facts they need before they find themselves in risky situations. Knowing the facts can make kids less likely to experiment with drugs or to rely on friends for answers. Your views on alcohol, tobacco, and drugs can strongly affect how they think and guide them toward making healthy choices. 

Our prevention partners at SAMHSA offer the "Talk. They Hear You." campaign to outline some of the reasons why youth may turn to alcohol or other drugs and offer helpful tips parents and caregivers can use to help and support them. Use these 5 Goals when talking to your kids about alcohol and other harmful substances:

Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse - over 80% of young people age 10-18 say parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink. Send a clear and strong message that you disapprove of underage drinking and misuse of other drugs.

Show you care about your child's health, wellness, and success - young people are more likely to listen when they know you're on their side. Reinforce why you don't want your child to drink or use drugs - you want them to be happy and safe. The conversation will go a lot better if you're open and you show concern.

Show you're a good source of information - you want your child to make informed decisions about alcohol and other drugs with reliable information about their dangers. Establish yourself as a trustworthy source of information.

Show you're paying attention and you'll discourage risky behaviors - know what your child is up to, as young people are more likely to drink or use other drugs if they think no one will notice. Do this in a subtle way, without prying.

Build your child's skills and strategies for avoiding underage drinking and drug use - even if you don't think you child wants to drink or try other drugs, peer pressure can be a powerful thing. Having a plan to avoid alcohol and drug use can help children make better choices. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they'll say, "no thanks." 

For helpful information and materials to help you start the conversation with your children, visit: https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you

Registration is Now Open for the Annual Prevention Summit on April 17

 

InnerAct Alliance and the StandUP Polk Coalition are proud to present the Annual Own the Upside Prevention Summit on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the W.H. Stuart Center in Bartow to discuss important issues facing our community.

The Annual Prevention Summit presents an exceptional opportunity for teachers, school resource officers, administrators, counselors, social workers, and prevention specialists to come together and share up-to-date information with a realistic view of current youth culture, emerging drug trends, social media and its connection to risky behaviors, and other topical issues. Admission is $28.52 and includes a light breakfast and lunch.

Register

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/own-the-upside-prevention-summit-tickets-1219654261729?aff=oddtdtcreator

For updates on guest speakers and prevention topics 

https://www.inneractalliance.org

Project Prom Offers Free Formalwear for Making Smart Choices

 

Our thanks to Lakeland City Commissioner, Stephanie Madden, for making a special visit to the Project Prom Store for a Ribbon Cutting to kick off our first spring Student Shopping Day this past weekend on Saturday, February 8. Students and families were excited to shop for dresses, suits, and accessories and received them at no cost in exchange for pledging to celebrate alcohol- and drug-free during prom and graduation seasons.

Remaining Spring Shopping Days will take place on Saturdays: February 22, March 8, March 29, and April 5 - from 11am to 4pm - at the Project Prom Store located at Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 US Hwy 98N in Lakeland (use entrance to the right of Dillards).

Tune into FOX 13's evening news on February 20 to see a special Project Prom segment. Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectPromofPolk

Celebrating Black History Month During February

 

During February, we honor Black History Month across the United States to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black and African Americans past and present and learn more about diverse communities, cultures, and people.

Black History Month started with the past and the heroes who had the courage to stand up for what they believed in. Its important message continues when we make an effort to learn more about our neighbors and celebrate inclusion by attending some of the many public events that bring in music, speakers, and activities in our community. During this month, let's deepen our understanding and commitment to freedom and equality as we continue to work to end racism in all forms. ❤

Thanks to April and our friends at Lakeland Mom for sharing a great list of the Top 10 Things to Do in Polk County this month including the City of Lakeland's Black History Festival in Jackson Park this coming Saturday, February 15, from 10am to 2pm. The special event features artisan vendors, food trucks, kids activities, and more. On the mobile stage, there will be entertainment from dance to the spoken word. With support from the Lakeland History & Culture Center and Coleman-Bush Boosters, the City is excited to share a dynamic display and interactive touchscreen experience to learn about pioneers in Lakeland's Black community. It is a free event open to the public that features something fun for all ages.

More fun and entertainment in & around Lakeland and Polk County this month: 

https://lakelandmom.com/things-to-do-in-february/?utm_content=link_id&utm_medium=email&utm_source=flodesk

This Weekend, Put Your Phone Down and Try Some of These Fun Activities...

 

Love this timely message from our friends at @Positively Present that coordinates well with the Phone-Free February Challenge shared earlier this week.📱We know it’s not easy to disconnect with your phone, but it is more important to connect with the reality happening in real time around you. Fun suggestions in the colorful graphic above make for a great incentive to try one this weekend...take a walk, go on an adventure, read a book, or have a dance party! 

Football fans, it’s also Super Bowl LIX Weekend 🏈- a perfect opportunity for digital detox! Gather with friends to watch the big game – everyone can bring a favorite game-time food or snack to share. Collect phones at the door so everyone can connect through conversation and fanfare. 

If the big game is not your thing, catch the debut of iconic Super Bowl commercial ads and the halftime performance in between plays! People will be talking about the ads, special effects, and celebrity cameos on Monday morning. Being mindful of the buzz, you’ll gain cool feedback about impressions of the big ads and performances. Don’t forget to watch everyone’s favorite cuteness overload on the Puppy Bowl! 

Have a fun weekend that prioritizes real time over screen time so everyone wins!

Project Prom Store Ribbon Cutting This Saturday, February 8

 

InnerAct Alliance and UthMpact are proud to continue the Project Prom effort, now in its 13th year, to provide free formal wear to deserving high school students and educate youth and parents about risky behaviors that may occur during prom and graduation time. Students with a Polk County HS ID can sign a pledge to celebrate alcohol- and drug-free and receive their dresses and suits at no cost!

Lakeland City Commission, Stephanie Madden, will be on hand for a special Ribbon Cutting on Saturday morning, February 8, at the Project Prom Store at the Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 U.S. Hwy 98 North in Lakeland (use entrance to the right of Dillards). The store will open for the first Student Shopping Day at 11:00 am. Additional Student Shopping Days will take place on Saturdays: February 22, March 8, March 29, and April 5, from 11:00am to 4:00pm. 

Since 2023, over 5,500 prom ensembles have been provided at no cost to teens in Polk County. Community members may support the effort by donating gently used dresses, men's suits, shoes, and accessories. Especially needed are women's dresses in sizes XS (0-3) and plus sizes (18+) and men's suits in smaller sizes, dress pants (waist 30-36), and dress shirts (all sizes). Donations may be dropped off at the Project Prom Store on shopping dates or at the InnerAct Alliance office (8:30am - 4:30pm weekdays) at 621 S. Florida Ave., in Lakeland.

UthMpact's goal is to promote a safe and fun Prom Night. For info, call Samantha Barwig at (863) 802-0777, visit our  website www.inneractalliance.org, or find us on Facebook at Project Prom of Polk County, Florida at https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=project%20prom%20of%20polk%20county%2C%20florida    

Global Challenge: Try Phone-Free February to Reduce Screen Time

 

It's no secret that smartphone use in the U.S. has exploded over the past decade - the vast majority of Americans own a smartphone. We all know how easily it can lead to increasing amounts of time spent texting family/friends, posting, scrolling through social media, or playing games - all of which cause the brain to release dopamine, a neurochemical that makes us feel pleasure. Over time, the brain can build up tolerance to dopamine so we tend to use our phones longer to feel the same amount of pleasure.

In addition to fueling an "addiction" to your phone, emerging research shows that more screen time is associated with higher levels of obesity, sleep problems, and mental health issues. Psychologists are treating an increasing number of people who are addicted to their devices. Experts say that cutting back on your phone use by just an hour a day can have significant health benefits. 

Despite its name "Phone-Free February", this effort does not actually ask participants to be completely phone-free. Instead, the nonprofit campaign run under the Global Solidarity Foundation co-creator Jacob Warn said the goal is for people to reduce their overall smartphone usage simply "to get you to question what you need your phone for."

If you want to make an effort to be less tied to your phone, here are some helpful tips on how to reduce your screen time this month.

*Make Your Phone Boring - disable all push notifications for nonessential apps or delete them completely. You can also try changing your phone's color filter to grayscale, reduce motion on animations, and turn off auto-play for videos.

*Set Screen-Free Breaks - decrease exposure to blue light from your phone screen which is known to stimulate the production of cortisol, a stress hormone. Excess cortisol can increase stress/anxiety that makes us want to use our phones more. Start with a 15-minute screen break, then gradually increase break time until you can go extended periods of time without your phone.

*Plan Healthier Pleasurable Activities - stimulate dopamine replacement therapy by leaning into healthier screen-free and pleasurable activities to redirect focus from your phone - take a walk outside, read, or doodle. These activities will help occupy your time and calm your brain.

*Make Bedroom a Phone-Free Zone - smartphone use close to bedtime can be detrimental for sleep, so remove your phone from the room at least an hour before bed and use a regular alarm clock instead of relying on your phone. 

*Practice Mindfulness - be more mindful about your phone use so that before you pick up your phone, decide what you will do and how long you plan to use it for. Don't multi-task.

*Reach Out to Family & Friends - let others know you plan to reduce your online availability so you don't fee pressured to respond right away. Reaching out for support in reducing phone use or enlisting a phone-free February buddy can increase your chances of success.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2025/01/29/phone-free-february-screentime-reduce/?