Welcome to June: A Month for Riding the Waves of Wellbeing 🌊💙

"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." – Jon Kabin-Zinn 🌊

Welcome to June everyone! Whether you are a newcomer to the community or have been surfing alongside us for a while, your presence here matters. Every urge you face, every wave you try to ride, every time you reach out instead of acting that is courage. We are so happy to have you be a part of our community!

This Month's Highlight : World Wellbeing Week (June 24th-30th) : A global celebration of all the things that make up a healthy, happy life, from mental and emotional health to physical and social wellbeing.

This Month's Activity : Ride the Wave with Urge Surfing 🌊

(Activity Sheet Source : Pinterest)

This month, we invite you to practice Urge Surfing whenever you notice a strong urge.

Here's a quick guide to get you started:

How to Practice Urge Surfing:

How to Practice Urge Surfing:

• Acknowledge – Notice and name the urge without judgment. "I am having an urge to cry right now."
• Observe – Pay attention to the thoughts and physical feelings in your body. Don't try to change or push them away. Some discomfort is normal.
• Remind yourself – Say these truths out loud or in your head:
  • It is okay to have urges. They are natural reactions.
  • An urge is a feeling, not a "must." I can feel this and choose not to act.
  • Some discomfort is okay.
  • This urge is temporary. Like any feeling, it will pass.
• Ride it out – Breathe deeply and imagine the urge as a wave. Watch it build, crest, and fade. 

Other Skills to Help You Surf:

• Manage Triggers: Know your personal triggers ahead of time. Have a strategy ready (e.g., deep breathing for stress, leaving a high-risk location).
• Delay & Distract: Do something to take your mind off the urge for even one minute. Every minute you delay weakens the urge. Try a walk, music, a call with a friend, or a hobby.

A Key Message for World Wellbeing Week: Wellbeing is not a destination. It is a practice.

Some days, wellbeing looks like a long walk and a healthy meal. Other days, it looks like allowing yourself to cry, or simply surviving the hour without giving in to an urge. Both days are worthy.

Resources for When the Wave Feels Too High

If you are struggling with strong urges, thoughts of self-harm, or a crisis, please reach out. You are never alone.

• U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (US/Canada)
• Canada: Call 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
• UK: Call Samaritans 116 123
• Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14
• India: Find a local crisis line at Befrienders India
• International Mental Health Helplines : https://www.helpguide.org/find-help 

Let's Share and Support Each Other 💙

To help us connect more this month, you can also feel free to respond to any of these prompts:

• A Recent Wave: Can you share a time you rode out an urge (big or small)? What helped you stay on the board?
• Your Wellbeing Anchor: What is one thing that consistently helps your wellbeing, even on hard days? (e.g. person, a pet, a song, a routine)
• A Kind Reminder: What is one message about urges or wellbeing you wish someone had told you years ago?

Let's make this thread a place where we can rest between waves, share our surf stories, and remind each other: The wave always passes. 🌊

Sending love and light,

Angelanj 💙