No matter where you live in Alaska, 2-1-1 is your one-stop resource for connecting with a wide variety of services in your community including emergency food and shelter, educational opportunities, alcohol and drug treatment programs, senior services, child care, and much more.
Where to Find Community Events and Activities
Physical activity, social activities, and learning new skills are all protective factors that keep us healthy. Here are some places to find opportunities to connect, learn, and be active in Anchorage.
Reducing Doomscrolling
Reduce unhealthy screen times such as “Doomscrolling” and unconscious social media time. Not all social media is bad; curate your media feed with the people and pages that make you feel good.
For example, if you enjoy hiking, follow hiking pages and accounts. Using social media to stay in touch with family members and friends who live far away and matter to you.
Use tools to reduce screen times such as time tracking apps included in your mobile device that monitor screen use; reminders to get off an app or limit your time spent staring at a screen can make a big difference in how you feel.
Grounding and Breathing
Creating a comfortable and relaxing environment. Example “safe space” can include comfortable clothing, plush items like Squishmallows or weighted blankets, and favorite foods and beverages like s’mores, pizza, and coffee, tea, or cocoa.
5-4-3-2-1 Senses Grounding Technique: This can help shift your focus from anxiety and stress to be more present in the moment:
Find a spot to sit quietly, and you can pick up a few things nearby if that helps, including 1 food or snack item.
Name or notice 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. Now take a deep breath. How do you feel?
Getting Outside
Take a walk around your neighborhood, favorite trails, plan a hike or camping trip. Even better to bring a friend. When was the last time you stepped outside and just took in your surroundings? Oftentimes we are so busy, we forget to look around.
Getting Involved
Want to get involved with prevention efforts in your community? Here are some links for active coalitions in Anchorage:
This webpage is operated by VOA Alaska, in collaboration with our partners in the Anchorage Adolescent Substance Misuse Prevention Coalition.
