Adverse Childhood Experience
Create Toxic Stress

• Emotional, sexual, or physical abuse
• Physical or emotional neglect
• Violence at home or in the community
• Parental substance misuse or mental illness.
• Parental separation, divorce, or loss of a parent
• Incarcerated family member
• Bullying (by another child or adult)
• Racial discrimination and sexism
• Homelessness and hunger
• Natural disasters and war

ACE Can Have a Lasting Effect On…

• Chronic Health Conditions
  obesity, diabetes, depression, cancer, etc.
• Risky behaviors
  smoking, alcoholism, drug use
• Life Potential
  school and job success
• Relationships
  family, co-workers & friends

Practicing positive and often simple activities can help retrain ones brain, at any age, to handle stressful situations in a new way. This helps the brain to heal itself!

›› Enjoy Music

›› Create Art

›› Exercise

›› Eat Healthy Meals

›› Find Supportive Relationships

›› Smile

›› Talk About Feelings

›› Walk in the Woods

›› Feel Gratitude

›› Think Positively

›› Get Quality Sleep

›› Be Hopeful

›› Be Mindful

›› Volunteer

›› Acknowledge Trauma

›› Seek Support

›› Identify Emotional Triggers

›› Get Mental Health & Substance Use Treatment