Get ready to lace up your running shoes and join us for a day of fun and community at the 17th annual LifeSkills Run for Autism, happening on Saturday, April 13, 2024!

Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for a leisurely stroll, it’s an event the whole family can enjoy. Choose from the 4 Mile Run, the 1 Mile Kid’s Run, the 1 Mile Fun Walk, or the 1 Mile Fun Run. This year’s festivities will be conducted exclusively in person, so mark your calendars and get ready to join the fun!

Every dollar raised at the event will go towards supporting the Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex- a collaboration between Bowling Green Community and Western Kentucky University. The Complex provides vital services for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. It also serves as a training ground for future professionals across many fields, ensuring that the support continues for years to come.

So, join us on April 13th as we come together to run, walk, and make a difference in the lives of those affected by autism. Together, we can create a brighter future for our community and beyond. See you at the starting line!

Register here:

2024 LifeSkills Run for Autism Tickets, Bowling Green

Start fresh, but ditch the resolutions – Focus on building small habits to encourage positive and impactful changes in your life.

• Be kind to yourself – Change can be hard, so allow yourself grace and forgiveness.
• Practice gratitude – Write down 3 things every day that you’re grateful for even if it’s a small task like getting outside to walk the dog.
• Make time for self-care – Make a list of self-care activities and make them part of your daily routine. This could be a walk outside, coffee with your loved ones, a family dinner – anything that brings you a moment of joy.
• Get rest – Sleep is so important to our mental health and overall well-being. Try going to bed a little earlier every night and give your body the rest it needs.
• Move your body – Even if it’s 10 minutes twice a day, small movements can give you the energy boost you need to get through the day.
• Limit screen time – Screens can impact our sleep and relationships and even lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. Add time limits on your social media platforms and get some face-to-face time with loved ones.
• Find a resource
  • Reach out to LifeSkills at (270) 901-5999
  • Support groups

Handling grief during the holidays can be challenging, as this time of year often dredges up memories of those we’ve lost. For children, it can be extra difficult since it’s often hard for them to understand their emotions and openly share their feelings of sadness for those they have lost. Below are some thoughtful suggestions from our LifeSkills team on how to navigate this holiday season while remembering those who have passed.

• Create a tradition to include family members who have passed.  Some families have a special ornament for their tree, some light a candle or ring a bell.  You can also hang a stocking on the mantel in honor of your cherished family members who have passed, symbolizing their presence.
• Give your child space to talk about their feelings associated with the loss of a loved one. Understand that your child’s feelings associated with grief and loss may present in non-traditional ways, such as behavioral problems or anger.
• Plan activities to do with your immediate family. Consider surprising your children by doing their favorite activity or holiday tradition. Skipping a holiday or a loved tradition can exacerbate feelings of loss, so it’s important to embrace the season.
• It’s important to not let your teenagers isolate too much during their holiday break. While spending time alone can have its advantages, excessive isolation can lead to feelings of sadness and sorrow.
• Enjoy new experiences with your family in honor of your loved one’s memory, maybe something that they would have wanted to participate in. Afterward, make a point to discuss how this activity made each person feel.
• Focus on remembering the good memories instead of the loss. This approach allows you to experience joy while also keeping those memories alive. Focusing solely on the loss develops a sense of negativity around the person’s memory over time.
• Try incorporating empty chair techniques into your holiday gatherings and leaving plates out for those who have passed. You can also honor those you’ve lost by incorporating their religious or cultural practices into your celebrations.

Remember, we are stronger together. Spend time with those you love this holiday season! For additional guidance on dealing with mental health this holiday season, we recommend reading: Guide to Managing Mental Health Around the Holidays | McLean Hospital.

The holiday season can be quite overwhelming, particularly for children as it disrupts their usual routines and can lead to stress. Here are some valuable tips from our LifeSkills team to support your child’s mental well-being during this time:

1. Provide Structure. Create a plan or schedule with your family for holiday activities that each family member wants to participate in. Assign everyone specific tasks such as organizing gifts, distributing presents, cleaning up wrapping paper, setting and clearing the table, etc.
2. Create Memories: Focus on creating memorable family experiences rather than just giving gifts. Take advantage of the extra time you have together during school breaks by exploring the many free activities available in our community during the holidays.
3. Be Supportive: If your children are uncomfortable engaging with certain family members for any reason, offer your support. Whether they feel uneasy, have had their feelings hurt, or have had negative experiences in the past, respecting their choices is crucial.
4. Offer Space: Allow your children some alone time to help them manage their emotions. The transition from a busy school schedule to the bustling holiday season can be stressful, so giving them moments of solitude can be beneficial.
5. For Young Children: Stick to their regular schedules, even if other family members may not consider it important. A mentally or physically tired child won’t be able to fully enjoy the holiday festivities if they haven’t had adequate rest
6. For Older Children: Even though the holiday break is a time for your older children to step away from their everyday school routine, it’s still essential to maintain some structure in their time off. This small step will make the transition back to school smoother and prevent abrupt changes in sleep schedules.

For more information about children’s mental health, check out: https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth. If you need additional support, the LifeSkills team is here to help. Reach out today (270) 901-5999.

Navigating the festive season while a loved one is on their recovery journey can be deeply challenging. Here are some coping tips from our team.

Coping Tip #1:

Consider going to an Al-Anon Meeting. There you can find support and information from friends and family of alcoholics (and often other addictions). Go to kyal-anon.org and search for a meeting in your area.

Coping Tip #2:

Don’t Blame yourself for someone else’s drinking or drug use. You didn’t cause your family member or friend to have these problems, you can’t control their drinking or use, and you can’t cure their problems.

Coping Tip #3:

Find something you enjoy doing for yourself and set aside time to do it. Self-care is not selfish. Your entire world cannot revolve around the person who is struggling. Rejuvenating yourself will help you be stronger to face any trials that come.

Coping Tip #4:

Don’t do something for your family members that they can do for themselves.

Coping Tip #5:

Do your best to live in the present day. Fretting about the past and making up stories about the future does not help today. When you find your mind on the past or the present, notice your current surroundings and try to pay attention to what is going on in this moment.

Holidays with family can sometimes stir up old feelings. If you’re bracing for bittersweet reunions, we’ve got coping strategies to help you through it. Remember, it’s okay to take steps to take care of yourself.

1. Plan ahead.

Between co-workers, friends and family, it’s inevitable that some commitments will end up on the same day. Make sure to plan on what you can attend in person or virtually. If you’re hosting the holidays, create a menu to help you stay organized and make grocery shopping easier.

2. Say no.

With holiday commitments, it is OK to say no to a few or all of them. It also will help relieve some stress. Try sharing your to-do list with other family members.

3. Plan spending.

The holidays mean spending money. Make a budget and stick to it. Spending money on your loved ones is important, but it’s also important to pay your energy bill. Don’t buy gifts that you’ll be paying off for the rest of the year.

4. Create relaxing surroundings.

Turn on some music, light some candles or open the windows on a sunny day. Research has found that listening to music and the scent of citrus can boost feelings of well-being, and vitamin D is always a happiness booster.

5. Maintain healthy habits.

The holidays are notorious for ruining healthy habits. A short workout each morning will help your decision-making throughout the day. Encourage your family to try snow shoeing or sledding to get in extra exercise. Eat healthy snacks like fresh fruit or vegetables throughout the season and to fill up before a dinner party or celebration with tempting, but unhealthy, foods.

6. Share feelings.

Spending a holiday after a loss in the family can be difficult. Accept your feelings and open up about them to others. It may make you feel better to share. Try to switch up old traditions to ease the loss.

7. Respect differences.

Family members will have different viewpoints than your own. Try your best to forgive and forget this holiday season. Focus on your similarities, and replace tension with something productive.

8. Be realistic.

You are only one person, and you can only do so much. Be realistic with how much you can handle this season. Forget about perfection, and relax and enjoy the company surrounding you.

9. Take a break.

Don’t forget about your own needs. Take a nap, go for a short walk, read a book or watch a funny movie. Laughing relaxes the whole body, and can relieve physical tension and stress.

Holidays are meant to be a fun, enjoyable time with friends and family. These tips can help ensure you truly enjoy your holidays when stress starts to set in