🧙Witch’s Brew & Wellness Night

Halloween doesn’t have to be all about candy and jump scares. This weekend, try a little feel-good family magic with a Witch’s Brew & Wellness Night. This is a fun way to mix creativity, connection, and self-care right at home.

🍵 Step 1: Gather Your “Potion” Supplies

Set up a mini drink bar so everyone can make their own brew. Think hot cocoa, apple cider, smoothies, or even sparkling water with fun mix-ins. Add a few spooky touches like gummy worms, cinnamon sticks, or colored straws.

Then have everyone name their drink, maybe Calm Cauldron Cocoa, Confidence Potion, or Laughing Lemonade.

💬 Step 2: Add a Dash of Meaning

As everyone adds their ingredients, have them say what each one stands for.

-Strawberries = love

-Honey = kindness

-Chocolate = comfort

-Mint = energy

It’s a silly but sweet way to talk about emotions and what helps everyone feel good.

🌙 Step 3: Sip & Share

Once your brews are mixed, sit together and chat. Ask things like:

What makes you feel calm when you’re stressed?

What helps you feel brave?

What’s something kind you did for yourself this week? Etc

🕯️ Step 4: Cast a Family “Wellness Spell”

End the night by writing a short “spell” together. Something simple like:

“We stir up calm, laughter, and love — and keep them close all week long.”

Hang it on the fridge or keep it somewhere you’ll see it.

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Why it works:

This little ritual helps everyone slow down, connect, and talk about feelings in a way that’s fun and easy. Plus, it’s screen-free and perfect for a chill night in before the Halloween chaos kicks in.

🎃Safe & Spooky Halloween Vibes

Halloween’s coming fast, and it’s the perfect excuse for fun, friends, and a little self-care. Whether you’re planning a costume party, trick-or-treating with younger siblings, or just watching scary movies with your crew, keeping things safe helps the night stay awesome, not awkward.

👻 Plan It, Don’t Wing It: Talk with your friends or family about what’s happening and where. Having a plan means fewer surprises and more time for the fun stuff.

🍬 Skip the Substances, Keep the Vibe: Drugs and alcohol kill the mood fast. The best memories come from laughing at goofy costumes, eating way too much candy, and staying present for the fun.

🧡 Host Your Own Hangout: Not feeling the party scene? Create your own. Set up a backyard movie marathon, a costume contest, or a pumpkin carving challenge. You make the rules, and it’s still a blast.

🌙 Recharge the Next Day: Halloween can be wild. Sleep in, grab breakfast with friends, and scroll through all the ridiculous photos. That’s self-care too.

There's An App for That

October is Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month, reminding us that caring for ourselves and our relationships is a powerful preventive act. Let’s talk about how technology can (sometimes not always so be cautious) support healthy habits, communication, and emotional wellbeing.

In our everyday lives, stress, triggers, or loneliness can tug at our wellbeing. Some people may turn to substance use as a coping method. But instead of letting those urges lead the way, we can use healthy strategies and tools — too

Here are some active, reliable apps worth exploring:

• I Am Sober: Use it to track your personal goals, reflect on progress, and stay motivated through daily check-ins.ls like apps — to help us stay grounded, intentional, and connected. More information at https://iamsober.com/en/site/home

• Reframe: A useful app if you want to examine your relationship with substances and gradually build new, healthier patterns. More information at https://www.reframeapp.com/

• Talk. They Hear You.: This one is especially powerful for families, caregivers, and communities. It equips you to have real, supportive conversations about alcohol and drug use with young people. More information at https://library.samhsa.gov/product/talk-they-hear-you-mobile-app

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📌 Tip: Even if substance use isn’t your personal concern, apps like these help with self-awareness, healthy boundaries, emotional reflection, and communication. They’re tools for strength — not just prevention. Do your own research on them and decide if one can be useful for you!

Today’s Self-Care Challenge: Pick one app (or feature) above. Spend 10 minutes downloading it, browsing its key sections, or testing out a simulation or conversation prompt. Set a reminder to revisit it during the week.

Remember: Self-care and prevention go hand in hand. Supporting your mental and emotional health helps build resilience. Encouraging open, thoughtful conversations in your home or community helps prevent substance misuse before it starts.

Visit www.standupaj.org for local resources, support lines, and more.