Using coping skills and being able to soothe yourself when you feel unhappy with being alone is important. There are many ways you can self-soothe and which ones you choose will be very personal. The more ideas you explore, the better you will become at turning your negative mood around and feel happy about being alone. Try journaling. Write down anything you want. Write about your thoughts, feelings, goals, and plans. Write down your dreams and aspirations. Think about positive memories. Identify times in the past when you enjoyed spending time with others. Visualize this time in your mind and relish in it. This can increase your temporary sense of well-being. Some people find that they are happier and less lonely when engaging in spiritual activities such as prayer or religious tradition (attending church). Enjoy spending time with yourself. Tell yourself that you have chosen to spend time with yourself. If you feel like you're making the choice to be alone, then you may automatically feel more positive about it. Realize that you are choosing to be alone and you have control. Avoid a victim mentality. Tell yourself, "It's okay to be alone. Everyone is alone sometimes. I can deal with it." If you find yourself fixating on negative thoughts, such as, "I'm alone because no one wants me," you are falling into a negative thinking pattern. Try reframing the situation with a positive mental script. When these negative thoughts come, acknowledge them, but then remind yourself of the positive side of your situation. Say something like, "Wait a second. I might be alone now, and this isn't a bad thing. I have tons of time to myself to do whatever I want, time I wouldn't have if I were in a relationship. Things change, and I won't always be alone and have this much freedom, so I should make the most of this time." " Whenever you think you are alone and you are feeling sad, remind yourself that you are never alone. You always have yourself there. So, focus on connecting with and being friends with yourself. The relationship you have with yourself is the most important one you will have. How you treat yourself and think about yourself dictates how you will treat others. Do things just for yourself. If you love cheesy disco music, make a playlist of your favorite songs and turn it up as loud as you want. If you love the ocean, go to the beach and stroll in the surf for as long as you like. Engage in relaxing and de-stressing activities. For example, you could have a spa night take a soothing bath, get a massage, and groom yourself (paint your nails, etc). If you are idle while alone, you may end up feeling unhappy, sad, lonely, or bored. To increase the likelihood that you can feel happy while alone, make sure you fill your schedule with positive activities. Try new activities. One way to stay busy is to try new explore new activities that are out of your comfort zone. Art, dancing, writing, reading, playing an instrument, hiking, camping, taking care of a pet, travel, and cooking are all things you can try. Do what scares you in order to increase self-reliance. For example, if talking to new people is intimidating, try saying hello or starting a conversation with a stranger at least once per day. You may find that this gets easier and less anxiety-provoking over time. People who feel lonely when alone may benefit from getting a pet for company. Some individuals may even think of their pets as humans. If your living situation doesn't allow pets then you could invest in a robot pet, like a singing tortoise, or take care of a pretend pet using an online game or phone application. It is common for some individuals to use negative ways of coping with being alone. However, these strategies often produce unwanted consequences, and can even increase depression and loneliness. Don't take up smoking cigarettes or marijuana. Some people say that smoking is a social activity. But it can also be a crutch. Avoid drugs or alcohol when interacting with others or to cope with being alone. Try to avoid excessive amounts of television, video games, or internet use.
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One-sentence summary -- Self-soothe. Change the way you think about being alone. Get some quality "me time. Stay busy. Get a pet. Avoid harmful coping strategies.

. Avoid plants that have the following characteristics: Poison ivy has 3 shiny green leaves and a red stem. It grows as a vine, typically along riverbanks or lake shores. It can also be found in woods or forests. As a common rule of thumb remember this simple rhyme: "Leaves of three, leave it be." Poison oak grows as a shrub and has 3 leaves like poison ivy. Poison oak is typically found on the West Coast of the U.S. Poison sumac is a woody shrub with 7 to 13 leaves arranged in pairs. It grows abundantly along the Mississippi River. Pets aren't sensitive to poison ivy or poison oak, but if the oils are trapped on their fur, then they could cause an allergic reaction in anyone who pets them. Use pet shampoo and wear rubber gloves while you're giving them a bath. If you are taking a hike or are camping in an area that grows poison ivy, bring extra bottles of cold water and rubbing alcohol. If you apply both of these immediately after coming in contact, you will greatly decrease the spread and pain associated with exposure. It's especially important if you're going into an area where you think you may find poison ivy or poison oak. Wear long sleeved-shirts, long pants and socks. Make sure that you wear closed-toe shoes, and always bring a spare change of clothes just in case of an accident.
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One-sentence summary -- Learn to identify poison plants Bathe your pets if they have been exposed to the plants. Bring preventative measures. Dress appropriately when going outdoors.

Remember to move to the left of the icon on your rosary. When you touch the first bead say, "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." Repeat this process for each of the 10 small beads of the first decade. As you touch the large bead at the end of the decade, say, "Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen." As you move around the rosary, say "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world" as you touch each small bead in each decade. Then, say the Lord's Prayer for each large bead between the decades. Once you've said a prayer for each bead around the loop of the rosary, hold the icon image in your right hand and repeat the following words, "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world." Repeat this phrase 3 times in a row. You can choose to hold the entire rosary in your right hand or just the cross. State the following words, "Eternal God, in whom Mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself." After you conclude this prayer, you can make the sign of the cross once more if you choose.
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One-sentence summary --
Say a prayer for each of the small beads in the first decade of the loop. Recite the Lord's Prayer for the large bead at the end of the decade. Repeat the process for each decade. Touch the icon and recite the "Trisagion" 3 times. Say the optional closing prayer.