The Life Righting Collective runs courses to encourage self-exploration through life writing, raises funds for course fees and brings people together to share their stories and grow community.
RESOURCES TO HELP US ALONG – we all need help at times in our lives…
SO HOW CAN I HELP MYSELF?
If you are feeling irritable, anxious or not coping: HALT 1. HALT
H – am I hungry? (If you are someone who hardly ever feels hungry, or always feels hungry, you might have an eating disorder and need help from a doctor.) A = am I angry? (What is upsetting you? Can you talk it through with a counsellor or friend? Can you write about it?) L – am I lonely? (Reach out to a friend. Call a helpline. Make contact with someone who cares about you.) T – am I tired? (Sleep helps. If you struggle to sleep, get help from a doctor or pharmacist.)
2. THE SERENITY PRAYER:
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change The courage to change the things I can And the wisdom to know the difference.
3. EXERCISE:
It helps most chronic conditions, from anxiety to high blood pressure to insomnia. Find the thing you love to do – dance, walk, run, gym. Most of us work at desks which is bad for health. We need to exercise the ‘second heart’ as well as the one in our chests. The calf muscle, called the second heart, helps blood and lymph return to the first heart against gravity. The deep breathing we do when exercising also helps the blood return.
4. ART:
Write or draw or dance or use clay or collage to express your feelings. If you would like to do a writing course to support your writing / journalling, please apply to www.liferighting.com. Our NPO gives sponsorships and discounts to those who cannot afford to pay for an online, audio or real room course.
5. MEDITATION:
We tend to live in hope and fear, often about things that either won’t happen, or that we can do nothing about. Paying attention to the moment we are living can help us calm our thoughts, and be present to what is actually happening now, rather than something theoretical in the future. There are many free online podcasts that can help you with a guided daily meditation.
AND THEN THERE IS HELP FROM OTHER SOURCES:
Here are some organisations that can assist you. To our knowledge they all provide free support if you are unable to pay. Please do visit their websites, as many of them have valuable information, links and phone numbers.
SOUTH AFRICAN DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY GROUP (SADAG): www.sadag.org
CHILDLINES & YOUTH LINES Childline South Africa: 0800 055 555 Child Welfare South Africa: 011 234 4837 Destiny Helpline for Youth and Students: 0800 41 42 43. Police Child Protection Units: 0860 01 01 11
ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE Alcoholics Anonymous South Africa: 0861 435 722 Department of Social Development Substance Abuse Helpline: 0800 12 13 14. Drug Counselling Centre (Observatory): 021 447 8026
SEXUAL HEALTH/PREGNANCY 021 763 5320
The Life Righting Collective runs courses to encourage self-exploration through life writing, raises funds for course fees and brings people together to share their stories and grow community.
