August 2024
🐰🐰 Practice Makes Progress
Success is not a one-time event; it is the accumulation of consistent efforts.
The only constant is change...
In life, just like in emergency preparedness, the importance of practice can't be overstated. Think about fire drills: we don't wait until there's a real fire to figure out what to do. Instead, we practice regularly so everyone knows exactly how to respond in an emergency. The same principle applies to our mental health and coping skills. When things are going smoothly, it's the perfect time to practice these skills so they become second nature when we really need them.
Imagine trying to learn how to swim in the middle of a storm. It's overwhelming and likely to lead to panic. Similarly, trying to figure out how to manage stress or anxiety for the first time during a crisis can be incredibly tough. By practicing these skills when we're calm and clear-headed, we create mental shortcuts that can be easily accessed during stressful times. This way, when things get tough, we can rely on these well-rehearsed strategies to help us navigate through the storm.
One way to make sure we remember to practice these skills is through something called habit stacking. Habit stacking is about tying new habits to existing ones, making it easier to remember and incorporate them into our daily routines. For example, if you already have a morning coffee ritual, you can add a few minutes of deep breathing exercises right after you make your coffee. Or, if you have a nightly routine of brushing your teeth, you can follow it up with a short mindfulness meditation. By linking these new practices to habits you already have, you'll find it easier to make them a regular part of your day.
Regularly practicing these skills can have a big impact on your overall well-being. Techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, and positive visualization can help lower your baseline stress levels, improve emotional regulation, and enhance your mental health. It's like building a muscle – the more you exercise it, the stronger and more effective it becomes. When a challenging situation arises, you'll find you're better equipped to respond calmly and effectively, rather than feeling overwhelmed.
So, just like with fire drills, practicing coping skills when things are going well is essential preparation for life's inevitable challenges. By integrating these practices into your daily life, especially through habit stacking, you'll create a robust toolkit to support you through stress, anxiety, and crisis. Remember, the best time to prepare is when things are calm, so take advantage of these moments to build and strengthen your resilience.
Unique & special MONTH holidays:
Some of my favorites:
National Happiness Happens Month
National Peach Month
August 1 - 7 National Simplify Your Life Week
August 2 National Coloring Book Day
August 29 More Herbs, Less Salt Day
I'm grateful to know you and I thank you for letting me be a part of your journey. Please let me know if there is anything more I can be doing to support you.
“Practice doesn't make perfect; practice makes progress.”
Crisis Numbers:
I recommend adding these to your contacts in your phone. If you don't need them, you might be able to share them with someone who does.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: the new 988 line is live! 988 is the new Suicide Prevention Lifeline number. It's exciting to have an easy-to-remember number available to access crisis support quickly. For more information: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/. The old number remains active as well: 1-800-273-8255
Text crisis line... you can send a text to 741741 and just write HOME and someone will get right back to you. https://www.crisistextline.org/text-us/
Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233
Credits:
(http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/August.htm)
