On today’s episode, I am discussing a heavier, taboo topic: suicide. Trigger warning : topics relating to suicide for the duration of the episode. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and in today’s episode I address the importance of suicide prevention awareness and education; societal and personal risk factors for suicidal behavior; and how to approach loved ones who might have suicidal ideations with care and love. Starting at 9:21, I close the episode with an open letter for people living with suicidal thoughts and ideations. Here is a list of the questions to ask loved ones that I spoke about in the episode: 1. How are you, really?

2. I haven’t heard from you in awhile, how are you doing?

3. I noticed you have been quiet recently and I am worried about you, are you open to talking about it?

4. Where do you think your feelings of (fill in the blank: e.g.: anxiety or depression) are coming from?

5. What about that situation made you feel that way?

6. What is something you look forward to everyday?

7. How do you feel about the future, even if it’s just tomorrow? Check out the written open letter on Instagram @learninwithlaurenpodcast

RESOURCES: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2022, March 30). Risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://afsp.org/risk-factors-protective-factors-and-warning-signs

"angel of the gap" saved hundreds from suicide in Australia. Aleteia. (2020, July 27). Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://aleteia.org/2020/07/27/angel-of-the-gap-saved-hundreds-from-suicide-in-australia/

Native American and Alaska native. Native American and Alaska Native | Zero Suicide. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://zerosuicide.edc.org/resources/populations/native-american-and-alaska-native

Nicoa, says, N. P., says, V. M., says, C. M., says, H. A., & says, R. B. (2020, January 31). American Indian suicide rate increases. NICOA. Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.nicoa.org/national-american-indian-and-alaska-native-hope-for-life-day/

Suicide prevention awareness month (SPAM). NAMI. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Suicide-Prevention-Awareness-Month-(SPAM)

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Suicide. World Health Organization. Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide

On today’s episode, I discuss the topic of agoraphobia. I talk about all things including the definition of agoraphobia, different types, risk groups, and how one can be diagnosed and receive help. Listen to learn more about this type of anxiety and how I’ve been recovering myself. At 24:00, I say digress when I 100% mean regress 😅 Recovery Village Agoraphobia: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/agoraphobia/. Follow me on my socials for more IG: @learninwithlaurenpodcast Tik Tok: @learninwithlauren

Happy Wellness Wednesday and Happy National Wellness Month! On today’s episode, I discuss how to maximize your health in your 20s and why it’s important. Topics discussed include: physical health, mental health, relationships with alcohol and substances, and relationships with food. (***Trigger warning: disordered eating 5:18-8:16) Follow me on my socials for more IG: @learninwithlaurenpodcast Tik Tok: @learninwithlauren

In my first episode of the podcast, I’m talking about why I decided to be sober at the age of 24. Everyone has a different journey to sobriety, and I wanted to share mine! I’ll be 3 weeks sober tomorrow, and I share insight about the stigma of sobriety, habitual/ritualistic drinking, how I’ve been feeling, and positive thoughts moving forward! Here are some helpful resources for anyone in need: https://www.aa.org. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/alcohol. Follow me on my socials for more IG: @learninwithlaurenpodcast Tik Tok: @learninwithlauren

TW: death, grief, mourning. Donate to Alzheimer’s research here: https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1

Happy New Year! We’re a week into 2022, and today I’m chatting about the stigma of New Year’s resolutions, why they fail, my opinion on the re-branding trend on Tik tok, my resolutions and intentions for 2022, and learning about Chinese New Year. Spoiler: it’s the Year of the Tiger! 🐯 Head on over to my Instagram (@learninwithlaurenpodcast) to let me know your opinion on resolutions, if you make them, and if so, what are they this year! Chinese New Year articles: https://chinesenewyear.net/zodiac/tiger/ and https://www.purewow.com/wellness/year-of-the-tiger

This episode stemmed from free thought while I was lying down on the couch reflecting on the holidays, my morning, and life. Let’s live a life full of gratitude together!

24 things I have learned in my 24 years of life:

1. You can truly do anything you put your mind to.

2. The people you surround yourself and the environment you’re in with have an impact on your life and how you feel.

3. Piggy backing on number 2, on the contrary, don’t let other people tell you how to feel.

4. Life has hard lessons, but you will grow stronger from them eventually.

5. Life is worth living. (TW: suicide)

6. Therapy is so valuable and is for anyone!

7. Coffee is the best part of every morning and it even has health benefits. Enjoy your cup. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-reasons-why-the-right-amount-of-coffee-is-good-for-you?amp=true

8. Relationships are harder to maintain as an adult. It takes work!

9. Thinking the worst does not ever prove to be helpful.

10. Deep breathing and meditation does not work for every anxious person. For anything in life, don’t feel wrong if something doesn’t work for you. Find your own methods.

11. Keep your mind open.

12. Instead of focusing on if someone likes you, think about if you like them.

13. Sometimes it’s best to just listen to a class lecture and absorb the information instead of taking notes the entire time.

14. Trust your gut (intuition).

15. Interact with people from different backgrounds than yours. We can learn so much just from other people.

16. The keys to emotional intelligence is empathy and self-awareness.

17. Emotional intelligence is incredibly valuable.

18. As cliche as it is, you never know what someone else is going through. Be nice to everyone.

19. Interactions with dogs are proven to increase oxytocin levels in the human brain and for the dog as well. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826447/

20. Reading is a gateway to knowledge while interactions are a gateway to understanding.

21. You are undeniably you. Don’t let others tell you otherwise. You are uniquely beautiful and you can never be replicated.

22. Treat yourself.

23. Rest is so important. Do it.

24. Age is nothing but a number. Circling back to #1, you can do anything you put your mind to.

Instagram: @learninwithlaurenpodcast