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Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Prepared Abbotsford, Nonprofit Organization, 2420 Montrose Avenue, Abbotsford, BC.

Disaster Resiliency Program of Archway Community Services provides emergency preparedness information and prep tips for extreme weather events and emergencies affecting the Abbotsford community.
*This page is not monitored 24/7*

10/14/2026

Life is stressful, and there are times when it can feel downright overwhelming.

Suggestions like "take a breath" when you want to scream at the sky, or "take a walk" when you want to collapse into a puddle, can feel more discouraging than helpful in the middle of a difficult moment.

But guess what...

Basic self-care strategies really are powerful.

No, taking one walk will not magically cure stress, grief, burnout, anxiety, or other mental health struggles.

But walking regularly, whether it's around your room, around the block, or up a few flights of stairs, can provide meaningful benefits for both your brain and body.

Regular walking can help strengthen both brain and body resilience, making it a little easier to weather life's inevitable stressors and return to moments of joy, connection, and meaning when they come.

However, taking a walk isn't magic, and it isn't a substitute for counselling, medical care, medication, or other supports when those are needed.

Different types of movement offer different benefits, and we are all working within the realities of our own bodies and circumstances.

Watch this TEDTalk to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKgtm81yi94

10/02/2026

Emotions are like the weather 🌤️🌧️❄️

Have you ever noticed how emotions can feel permanent when you're in the middle of them?

When we're experiencing anxiety, sadness, anger, grief, or feeling overwhelmed, it's easy to believe that this is how we'll feel forever. Yet emotions are often more like weather than facts. They inform, move, change, intensify, and eventually pass.

Just as we prepare for the weather by carrying an umbrella, putting on a coat, or adjusting our plans, we can also prepare for life's emotional challenges. Developing coping skills, maintaining supportive relationships, practicing self-compassion, building healthy routines, and seeking professional support can help us navigate difficult emotions when they arise.

The goal isn't always to eliminate uncomfortable emotions. They serve a purpose, providing information about our experiences, needs, and values. Instead, we can learn to acknowledge them, make space for them, and respond with intention rather than react impulsively.
If you're going through a difficult season right now, you don't have to like the weather to get through it. One moment, one day, and one step at a time, the skies can change.

Be gentle with yourself. What you're feeling today is real, but it is not the whole story.

Watch this video to learn more: https://youtu.be/90DGa1uGJ2A?si=FuzH3kDdsg9ybR6E

09/28/2026

Having trouble sleeping after a stressful event? You're not alone.

One of the biggest challenges during and after stress, loss, or crisis is getting a good night's sleep. Yet quality sleep is essential for clear thinking and managing difficult emotions.

🌙 Try the "Safe Box" Technique

Before bed, imagine a secure "safe box" in your mind. When anxious, distressing, or grief-related thoughts arise, gently place them in this box for the night.

Remind yourself: "I can come back to these thoughts tomorrow when I'm rested and better able to handle them."

This simple practice can help calm racing thoughts and allow your mind to settle into sleep.

📝 Another helpful strategy is to write your worries, concerns, or emotions down in a journal before bed. The goal is not to ignore them, but to set them aside temporarily so you can rest and return to them later with a clearer perspective.

Learn more about how you can improve your sleep hygiene at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sleep-hygiene

09/18/2026

Preparing for emergencies is prudent and wise. Having a plan, basic supplies, and knowing what to do in a difficult situation can help us feel more confident and secure.

But sometimes, preparedness can cross the line into anxiety and preparation can become preoccupation.

You may notice yourself constantly checking the news, imagining worst-case scenarios, stockpiling more than you need, or feeling like you can never do enough to be truly prepared.

Anxiety often tells us, "If you stop preparing, you won't be safe." which leaves your nervous system in a state of constant alert.

The challenge is that there is always something more we could do. When we listen only to anxiety, we can become stuck in a state of constant alertness, leaving little room for rest, connection, or joy.

Consider defining what "prepared enough" looks like for you. Create your plan, gather your supplies, and take the steps that make sense for your situation.

Then, when you've reached your goal, give yourself permission to shift your attention back to living your life.

✅ Spend time with loved ones
✅ Enjoy meaningful activities
✅ Take breaks from preparedness-related information
✅ Ask for support if anxiety is making it difficult to stop

Being prepared is important, but so is enjoying the life you're working so hard to protect.

09/11/2026

📱 Staying Informed Without Becoming Overwhelmed 🧠

When an emergency or crisis is unfolding, it's natural to want the latest information. We refresh the news, check social media, and search for updates to help us feel prepared.

But sometimes, too much information can have the opposite effect.

Constant updates, conflicting reports, and endless scrolling can increase stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. While staying informed is important, protecting your mental well-being is too.

Consider creating an information plan:

✅ Follow a few trusted sources for updates
✅ Turn on emergency alerts for important notifications
✅ Check for updates at specific times instead of throughout the day
✅ Take breaks from news and social media
✅ Stay connected with friends, family, and your support network

Remember, taking care of yourself is part of being prepared.

It's okay to step away from the screen. It's okay to focus on what you can control. It's okay to rest.

The goal isn't to know everything the moment it happens. The goal is to stay informed enough to make thoughtful decisions while protecting your peace of mind.

09/04/2026

Finding joy in life doesn't mean ignoring or minimizing hard or painful moments. It means allowing yourself to notice and enjoy the good that is already around you.

Slow down for a moment today and savour life's simple pleasures:

🍊 What smells good? Fresh oranges, dinner cooking on the stove, freshly cut grass...
☕ What tastes delicious? A strong coffee, a soothing tea, a crisp salad, your favourite treat...
🌅 What looks beautiful? A sunrise, a sunset, a full moon, autumn leaves glowing in the sunlight...
🌊 What sounds wonderful? Waves on the shore, wind in the trees, birds singing, laughter...
🤗 What feels good? Freshly washed sheets, warm water, sunshine on your face, a gentle breeze...

Take your time and really notice and sink into the sensations. Pause. Breathe. Let yourself fully enjoy them. These moments won't make life's hardships disappear, but they can help balance the weight of them and remind you that beauty and comfort still exist.

Watch this video to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwnHez9TC6c

Inspired by Rick Hanson's Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time, a collection of simple practices to build resilience, well-being, and inner strength.

08/28/2026

Wildfires, floods, storms, and other emergencies can bring up a lot of emotions. Feeling overwhelmed is a normal response to an abnormal situation.

One small but powerful tool? Name the emotion.

Putting words to what you're feeling can help calm your nervous system and make emotions feel more manageable.

Instead of just "stressed," you might discover you're feeling anxious, helpless, uncertain, or grieving. The more specific the emotion, the easier it is to identify what support you need. Building emotional awareness is part of building resilience.

Want help finding the right words? Download the Feelings Wheel app to expand your emotional vocabulary: https://feelingswheel.app/

08/11/2026

When we're in crisis, emotions can become so intense that it feels impossible to think clearly or know what to do next. That's where distress tolerance skills can help.

These tools provide immediate emotional regulation, helping us move through overwhelming feelings so we can access our coping strategies and address what's causing the distress.

One practical tool from Dialectical Behavior Therapy is "TIPP", an easy-to-remember acronym for four powerful techniques:

𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: using cold temperature (ie. cold water)
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲: short bursts of physical activity
𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴: slow rhythmic breathing (ie. box breathing)
𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱/𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: tensing and releasing different muscle groups

These skills can be especially helpful during moments of high stress, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm.

Watch this video to learn more about how to use the TIPP skill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuvH_j9O0f4

08/10/2026

Mindfulness is the practice of bringing awareness to the present moment without judgment.

While this sounds simple, it can actually be one of the most challenging parts of mindfulness. We often label our experiences as "good" or "bad" without even realizing it.

When practicing mindfulness, it's natural for your mind to wander. You might remember a task on your to-do list, think about an upcoming event, or notice an ache, pain, or itch. Often, we also begin judging these experiences, labelling them as distractions, inconveniences, or signs that we're "not doing mindfulness right."

If a self-critical thought, such as "I'm not very good at this," comes up, acknowledge the thought, then gently return your attention to the here and now.

And if you find yourself judging yourself for being judgmental? That's okay, too! Notice it, name it, and gently return your focus once again.

It can be helpful to imagine thoughts and feelings as bubbles, clouds, or butterflies floating by. We notice them, acknowledge them, and let them drift away without holding on or judging.

Remember, mindfulness isn't about having a perfectly quiet mind or eliminating judgment altogether. It's about noticing when judgment arises, letting it be there without getting caught up in it, and returning to the present moment with kindness and compassion.

Thank you for joining us on this mindfulness journey!

Watch this video to learn more: https://youtu.be/5eAfBCCXitI?si=nfsX6PU9Sv_kj0XM

08/04/2026

Mindfulness is the practice of bringing your awareness to the present moment without judgment.

This week, focus on being intentional about mindfulness. Mindfulness doesn't happen automatically, and like any healthy habit, it grows through regular practice. Whether it's taking a few deep breaths when stress arises or setting up a reminder to try a quick 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise, mindfulness is about choosing to reconnect with the present moment.

When your mind wanders, that's okay. Simply notice it with kindness and gently bring your attention back to the here and now. Being mindful all the time isn't the goal. Just as exercise, healthy eating, and good sleep support overall well-being, mindfulness is one valuable part of a balanced self-care routine.

Small, consistent moments of awareness can help us feel more grounded, centered, and resilient throughout our day.

Watch this video to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPg28FhVOqA

Address

2420 Montrose Avenue
Abbotsford, BC
V2S3S9

Telephone

+16048597681

Website

http://Archway.ca/

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