2020 Red Ribbon Virtual Challenge Event Dates: September 28 – October 31, 2020

 

2020 Red Ribbon Virtual Challenge
Event Dates: September 28 – October 31, 2020

The Annual Red Ribbon Campaign is an alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs prevention awareness effort celebrated during the month of October to encourage healthy life choices. InnerAct Alliance and Title Sponsor, Publix Super Markets, in Lakeland, Florida, are proud to continue our community’s Red Ribbon tradition by presenting the 2020 Red Ribbon Challenge to support prevention of substance abuse and bullying. The event, which will be held virtually this year due to circumstances surrounding COVID-19, kicks off on September 28th with Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children and ends on October 31st. 

Children in grades K-8 can register for free on the event website RedRibbonRun.com, complete fun weekly challenge activities at home with family and friends, and post their challenge activities on the Red Ribbon Run Facebook page with the hashtag #redribbonchallenge for a chance to earn points and win a special prize. Anyone may register (free) and take part in the Red Ribbon Challenge activities; however, prizes will not be available for older students, adults, or non-registered participants. Challenges are based on elements of healthy living and a different activity will be featured each week during October with themes of Nutrition, Healthy Mind/Healthy Body, Kindness & Tolerance, Help Save The Planet, and Healthy Lifestyle. 

Statistics show that families who eat dinner and participate in activities together benefit in a variety of ways. Eating family meals and spending time together can help build stronger relationships and foster more effective communication. Children tend to be better students and become more well-adjusted teens so they may be less likely to abuse drugs. 

For registration and information on the 2020 Red Ribbon Virtual Challenge, please visit the event website at RedRibbonRun.com or call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.

Registration is Now Open to Participate in the 2020 Red Ribbon Virtual Challenge

 

The InnerAct Alliance Board of Directors Challenges YOU to participate in the Red Ribbon Virtual Challenge activities each week! Share your photos by using the hashtag #RedRibbonChallenge and you may be featured on our Red Ribbon Facebook page! 

The 2020 Red Ribbon Virtual  Challenge offers a series of activities to be completed over a 5-week period. Weekly challenges are based on elements of healthy living and ways to live your best life.

The Challenge kicks off on September 28th with Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children and ends on October 31st. A different health-oriented challenge activity will be featured each week during the month of October with themes of Nutrition, Healthy Mind/Healthy Body, Kindness & Tolerance, Help Save The Planet, and Healthy Lifestyle. 

Students in Grades K-8 can register for FREE on the event website www.RedRibbonRun.com and complete at least 15 challenges by October 31, 2020 to be eligible to earn a special prize. Anyone is welcome to register for free and participate in challenge activities, however prizes will not be available for older students, adults, or non-registered participants.

If you would like to be featured on our Red Ribbon Run Facebook page, please post a picture or description of your completed Red Ribbon Challenge activities and be sure to include the hashtag #redribbonchallenge 

Prizes for registered participants in Grades K-8 who have completed at least 15 challenges by 10/31/20 will be distributed after Winter Break. Come join us for lots of healthy family fun! 

Celebrate Family Day™ - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children on September 28, 2020

 

InnerAct Alliance and its coalition partners, StandUP Polk and UthMpact, are proud to join in the national effort to promote family dinners as an effective way to reduce youth substance abuse and other risky behaviors. We encourage everyone to participate in Family Day™ – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children next Monday, September 28, 2020.

Family Day began in 2001 as a national effort to promote family dinners as an effective way to help kids grow up safe, healthy, and drug free. Research from The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University consistently finds that the more often children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they will be to smoke, drink, or use illegal substances. To sign the family day pledge and find helpful tips to talk with your children, please visit www.informedfamilies.org.

Another way to celebrate healthy living without harmful drugs is by participating in the 2020 Red Ribbon Virtual Challenge presented by InnerAct Alliance and Title Sponsor, Publix Super Markets, Inc. 

The Red Ribbon Challenge will kick off on September 28 and continue during the month of October with virtual weekly challenge activities featuring themes of: Nutrition, Healthy Mind/Healthy Body, Kindness & Tolerance, Help Save The Planet, and Healthy Lifestyle. Children in grades K-8 can register for FREE and complete the challenges with family members and friends, post pictures of their activities, and earn cool prizes!

Additional information and online registration for the Red Ribbon Challenge can be found at: www.RedRibbonRun.com 

Tips for Self-Care While Practicing Physical Distancing

 

How to Care for Yourself While
Practicing Physical Distancing

If you are feeling overwhelmed or mentally exhausted because of changes to our society brought on by COVID-19, you’re not alone. The pandemic has impacted millions of Americans physically, mentally and emotionally.

People across the country are experiencing increased levels of stress and fear because of the new disease as well as feelings of isolation brought on by physical distancing. Research from the Kaiser Family Foundation says 45% of adults report feelings of worry and stress related to COVID-19 that have negatively impacted their mental health. Feelings of anxiety are becoming more common as people are worried about themselves or their loved ones getting sick.

The Mental Health First Aid Blog (www.mhfa.org) offers these easy self-care strategies to help reduce feelings of depression and prevent anxiety while social distancing:

1.    Eat healthfully to keep your body in top working order.

2.    Exercise reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, whether we’re working out at home or taking a solo jog around the neighborhood.

3.    Practice relaxation therapy. Focusing on tensing and relaxing muscle groups can help you relax voluntarily when feeling overwhelmed, stressed or anxious.

4.    Let light in. Increased exposure to light can improve symptoms of depression. If you can, open the shades and let more sunlight in.

5.    Be kind to yourself! Treat yourself with the same compassion you would a friend.

6.    Stay connected. Even if you can’t get together face-to-face, you can stay connected to friends, family and neighbors with phone calls, text messages, video chats and social media. If you’re feeling lonely, sad or anxious, reach out to your social support networks. Share what you are feeling and offer to listen to friends or family members about their feelings. We are all experiencing this scary and uncertain time together.

7.    Monitor media consumption. While you might want to stay up-to the minute with COVID-19 news, too much exposure can be overwhelming. Balance media consumption with other activities you enjoy, such as reading, cooking or listening to music.

 

Helpful Tips & Tricks for Back to School Success!

 

Happiness Chemicals for Positive Mental Health

Happiness Chemicals for Positive Mental Health

With everything going on in our world today, it is more important than ever to be mindful of our overall health and well-being, which not only affects how we think, act, and feel, but also how we are able to handle stress, relate to others, and make important choices for our families. If we are not feeling 100%, then our decisions may not be 100%. 

Take time to engage in healthy activities that can help create a hopeful mindset and maintain a safe, positive home environment during these unsettling times. Mental Health MATTERS, so check out the simple tasks posted above to help boost your mood!

Family-Friendly Summer Activities

HAPPY SUMMER!
Family-Friendly Summer Activities

suggested by our friends at Informed Families

Summer is finally here! We're all ready for a much needed break from homeschooling and looking forward to some fun. However, a less structured day and minimal supervision can spell trouble for some kids and teens.

Spending time together as a family is a great time to build healthy relationships. When you're enjoying activities with your kids, use it as an opportunity to talk and really listen to one another. The earlier you start connecting with your kids, the better. If your kids aren't used to talking to you about what's going on in their lives when they are 8 or 10 years old, it's harder to get them talking when they are 12-14 years old.

Check out the list of family-friendly summer activities below that are not only fun but also healthy and safe!

MIND

• Do a puzzle – create a cozy puzzle corner so you can complete complex puzzles over time
• Watch a documentary – Netflix and Disney+ has some great ones
• Write a story or play – get those creative juices flowing
• Listen to a podcast – check out NPR’s Wow in the World
• Build with Legos or blocks – an all-time favorite for younger kids

BODY

• Take a walk – hit the beach or a nature trail
• Do yoga – Cosmic Kids Yoga combines yoga, mindfulness and storytelling
• Have a dance party - take turns being the DJ!
• Bike riding – have your kids map out the route beforehand
• Play charades – everyone can join in the fun

SPIRIT

• Pray – pray through words, art or song
• Listen to music or sing – share some of your favorites with your children, and listen to some of theirs
• Write in a journal – a great activity for reflection & goal setting
• Meditate – everyone benefits from taking time out each day to "unplugged", relax, and focus.
• Create a gratitude or vision board – hang the completed masterpiece up where it can be seen everyday

ENVIRONMENT

• Wash the family car – kids love to help out
• Draw murals outside with colored chalk – the driveway or sidewalk is your canvas
• Garden – start an herb or vegetable planter
• Go through toys, clothes and books – decide what you can donate
• Volunteer – help your kids develop empathy & compassion for others

FAMILY

• Play board games – so many great ones to choose from
• Cook dinner together – the Food Network has tons of kid-friendly recipes
• Watch a movie – perfect for a family night in
• Have a picnic – this can be as easy as spreading a blanket down in your backyard
• Tell stories about old memories – a great way to create new memories too

Happy 4th of July - Have a Safe Summer!