If you are thinking of hurting yourself, or if you are concerned that someone else may be suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at
1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
For international support visit http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/
A parents’ guide to suicide prevention: https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/suicide-prevention/
Suicide prevention guide for college students: https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/college-suicide-prevention/
How to help someone who is suicidal http://www.iasp.info/resources/Helping_Someone/
How to handle suicidal threats on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/notes/american-foundation-for-suicide-prevention/how-to-report-suicidal-contentthreats-on-facebook/10150090259398144
If you are suicidal or know someone who is, DO NOT HESITATE to reach out. Get Help Now!
There is no victory in going it alone.
Here are a few of the things that have helped me the most in my journey.
Meditation
A meditation practice can be as simple as a few minutes of deep breathing in silence, following guided meditations, Transcendental Meditation or one of the other dozens of types. Personally, I’ve used Holosync on a daily basis for over four years. Holosync is a system of CDs that use sound waves to make your brain resonate at the same frequency as someone who’s meditated for decades. You can get a free demo and see how you like it, that is how I started, and I found it to be the most beneficial step I’ve taken for myself.
Gratitude
Gratitude is one of the most powerful ways to improve the quality of your life. I’ve become such a fan of gratitude practices that I created an online class, The Power of Gratitude, that explores gratitude from a spiritual, energetic, and scientific perspective.
Whether you’ve been keeping a gratitude journal for years, once had a gratitude practice but have stopped, or even if you think the notion of gratitude having any effect on your life is utter nonsense, I invite you to join me. You will take part in a number of journaling exercises and learn simple rituals you can use on a daily basis to bring about an attitude of gratitude in your life. I’ll share my story later, but let me say up front that everything I’ll teach you is something I used to think was a ridiculous waste of time – that is until I tried it.
In the course, I share numerous scientific studies from the field of Positive Psychology proving the fantastic power of gratitude for your health, happiness, relationships and well being. You don’t have to believe I word I say, just be intrigued enough to put some of the practices I share with you to work and then decide for yourself. Sign up now!
Books
These are two of the most helpful books I’ve ever read. I love them because they are full of practices you can do on your own. I’ve read them both multiple times and have only heard raves from people I refer to them. You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay is a classic in self-help that finally got me using affirmations and introduced me to mirror work. This is the most healing book I’ve ever come across.
Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out by Marci Shimoff is a fantastic book for people who want research and “proof” of the abilities of our own minds. Many different modalities and practices to try as you raise your own happiness set point.
I’m such a fan of affirmations I’ve written my own best-selling collections of them, 200 Powerful Positive Affirmations and 6 Simple Tips to Put Them to Work and 200 Powerful Positive Affirmations Volume II. My most recent book is full of tips and techniques to help anyone feel happier, Still Here: How to Succeed in Life After Failing at Suicide.
Video demo: Affirmations
Video: Mirror Work Demo
For my ever-expanding list of book recommendations check out my Pinterest board.
Alternative Therapies
EFT
(Emotional Freedom Technique) also commonly known as Tapping. EFT is a bit like acupuncture done on yourself with your fingers. It is a very effective way to clear and release unresolved negative emotions and beliefs.
Here are a couple of resources from Carol Look.
EFT Directions (PDF)
30 Minute Intro to EFT (mp3)
You can also find lots of EFT videos on YouTube.
My Tapping on Fear of Making the Wrong Choice video.
NMT
NMT (Neuromodulation Technique) was my first experience with energy medicine. I was introduced to it by a psychologist I saw who was open to alternatives. I found tremendous releases that weren’t happening via talk therapy or pills.
Energy Work I’ve gotten so many gains from having people read and work with my energy that I completed an energy coaching program and now offer energy coaching services. This work is done over the phone so that you can be anywhere. I’ve also found working with the Akashic Records to be extremely healing.
Breathwork
Holotropic Breathwork is the single most transformative and healing self-exploration practice I’ve experienced. It combines deep accelerated breathing with loud, evocative, often tribal music in a group setting that puts you into a non-ordinary state of consciousness. This state allows whatever needs to be healed most within you to rise up. I’ve had amazing mystical experiences in breathwork. This Holotropic community site will let you find breathwork events near you. You can read about my experiences in my book, Healing & Mystical States Are Just a Breath Away: Personal Experiences with Holotropic Breathwork.
If you are in the New England area, here are two groups I’ve breathed with:
http://www.dreamshadow.com/ – Vermont
http://bostonholotropic.com/ – Boston Ma
Ho’oponopono
This is a powerful healing/transformation technique from the native people of Hawai. The Ho’oponopono process is straightforward. It consists of repetitions of the following phrases:
- I Love You
- Please forgive me
- I am sorry
- Thank you
You can find this as songs on YouTube or iTunes, it can be used as a prayer for yourself, someone else or any situation, and it also makes a great mantra for meditation.
PSTEC
PSTEC is a free audio therapy program for use on your fears, stress, PTSD, anxiety, depression and much more. It helps to create new neural pathways in your brain.
Comfort Zone Camp
Comfort Zone Camp is an outstanding organization I’ve volunteered with; they offer grieving children a fun, safe place to heal.
I share these things because they helped me. I encourage you to explore and trust your own experiences.
Enjoy,
Andy Grant
andy@navitascoach.com