EPISODE 106 | MINDFUL MOMENTS | Guided Practice for Making Difficult Decisions

When making hard decisions it can feel paralyzing, as if one decision could derail our entire life. You may be asked to make incredibly hard decisions on a path to becoming a parent so I created this for you. It is one of my favorite time out of thinking exercises I use to get in touch with my higher self when I am struggle to make the "right" decision. Enjoy! P.S. Please do not listen to this while driving or operating heavy machinery. Save it for a time when you can listen and be open to all that your mind and body have to offer you.

Finding yourself in torturous indecision about whether you should join Conscious Conceptions? Let's clear that up together on a call.

Schedule a FREE Consult

EPISODE 100 | MINDFULNESS EXERCISE TO PROCESS ANGER

Anger is a normal emotion for all humans. Some of us have a harder time acknowledging and/or releasing our anger. Take a 20 minute journey with me to practice allowing and releasing our anger and systematically breaking down the false and poisonous belief that good girls dont get angry. Love these practices? Join us in my Conscious Conceptions Coaching Program. Our next cohort start the end of May. Get on the waitlist so you don't miss a moment! www.FertileMindsRadio.com

EPISODE 97 | GUT ISSUES AND SUBFERTILITY w/ Dr. Jennifer Horton

Gut Issues & Subfertility- A Functional Medicine Approach

Gut health isn't where your brain would normally go when trying to solve the problem of fertility challenges, but it is thought to be one of the root causes of subfertility. Did you know that low microbe diversity in your intestines can lead to issues like endometriosis, pcos, metabolic syndrome and even obesity? Functional medicine specialist Dr. Jen Horton and I talk all things poo and how and why it should be a part of your fertility workup.

EPISODE 83 | THE POWER OF SELF COACHING | Postpartum Depression with Liz Langston

Dealing with Postpartum Depression

Are you a new mom struggling to keep up? Do you feel like taking care of your child is way more work than you anticipated leaving you constantly overwhelmed? Or are you finding yourself in a constant emotional funk, while telling yourself you should feel happy? You could be suffering from postpartum depression.

Many women suffer from postpartum depression, and even more go undiagnosed with postpartum anxiety. The magnitude of the depression and/or anxiety can vary from one woman to the other. Some women suffer from severe postpartum depression including suicidal ideation, while others have a mild version constantly feeling like something just isn’t right.

When you are stuck in the thick of negative postpartum takedown, it can feel like it’s going to last forever. The good news is, it doesn’t have to, and there is a way out.

In today’s episode, we are honored to have Liz Langston join us. Liz is a postpartum coach and a postpartum depression survivor. She shares with us how she made it out of the depression and how she realized her mission to lift up other moms that are suffering like she did.

Listen in, learn, and get inspired.



Key Talking Points:

  • Liz’s postpartum experience

  • How Liz became a coach

  • Understanding the ladder model

  • Dealing with negative emotions

  • What causes postpartum depression?

  • Chinese medicine for depression

  • Believing in something bigger than yourself

  • The 50-50 rule

  • Can depression be inherited?

  • How the mind communicates with the body

Key Milestones of the Episode:

(04:02): Getting to know Liz

(06:01): How Liz fought and got out of depression

(08:51): How Liz became a coach

(12:19): Understanding the model… What Liz calls a ladder

(20:35): Dealing with negative emotions

(22:27): Emotional adulthood

(23:51): Emotional vomit

(26:18): What causes postpartum depression?

(31:38): Chinese medicine view on depression

(34:11): Believing in something bigger than yourself

(38:58): The 50/50 rule

(43:13): Can depression be inherited?

(45:12): How your mind communicates with the body

If you think you or someone you know are affected here are the key points to understand how and when to get help with a professional and what the difference is between the baby blues and PPD.

Signs and Symptoms of PPD can include any of the following and last for 2 weeks to 12 months.

Postpartum Depression Onset & Frequency of Occurrence

In the US, estimates of new mothers identified with PPD each year vary by state from 8% to 20%, with an overall average of 11.5%. 11

Expert opinions vary as to the timing of the onset of PPD. For example, symptoms of PPD can begin:

• During pregnancy or following childbirth up to 4 weeks Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) definition2

• During pregnancy or following childbirth up to 12 months The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) definition8

• Without treatment, symptoms may persist for months or up to a year.9

Symptoms include

EMOTIONAL • Feeling sad, hopeless, empty, or overwhelmed • Crying more often than usual or for no apparent reason • Feeling worried or overly anxious • Moodiness, restlessness, or irritability • Anger or rage • Persistent doubt about your ability to care for your baby • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

PHYSICAL • Physical aches and pains • Changes in appetite • Lack of sleep or oversleeping • Difficulty concentrating

BEHAVIORAL• Loss of interest in things that are usually enjoyable • Avoiding friends and family • Having trouble bonding or forming an emotional attachment with your baby

The Baby Blues Onset & Frequency of Occurrence

Generally peaks within the first few days post delivery and resolves without treatment within 2 weeks. 3,7

Estimated to affect 80% of mothers. 3,12

Symptoms include 3,12

• Sadness • Frequent crying • Anxiety • Mood swings • Irritability • Insomnia • Anger • Fatigue

IF YOU ARE WORRIED YOU ARE EXPERIENCING PPD OR THAT YOU WILL VISIT https://www.postpartumdepression.com/ TO MAKE A PLAN AND GATHER TIPS ON HOW TO SPEAK TO YOUR PROVIDER WITHOUT BEING DISMISSED.

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS CLICK HERE TO FIND THE HOTLINE THAT BEST FITS YOUR SITUATION https://afsp.org/find-support/im-having-thoughts-of-suicide/

Key Quotes from the Episode:

“It’s always an option for us to open ourselves up to whatever the universe has to offer us.”

“As we take more responsibility, we have more power.”

“Your thoughts precisely create your exact experience of whatever circumstance you are facing right now.”

“The most profound thing about the model is that it truly can solve any problem for any human being.”

“The more decisions you have to make in a day, the less willpower you have as the day goes on.”

“Your feeling will create your actions.”

“We have the ability with our human brain to attribute thoughts to a circumstance and, therefore, feel something.”

“One of my gifts is just being able to do it in a way that’s not heavy, and it’s not draining, and it’s not shaming.”

Connect with Liz Langston:

Instagram

Website

Listen to her podcast: The Postpartum Coach Podcast

Related Episodes on Coaching

https://www.ladypotions.com/fmradio/2019/11/19/episode-82-the-1-tool-to-stay-sane-while-ttc

https://www.ladypotions.com/fmradio/2019/3/24/episode-48-how-to-manage-your-fertility-thoughts

https://www.ladypotions.com/fmradio/2019/6/2/episode-52-mindful-moment-creating-certainty-when-you-are-anything-but?rq=certainty

References: 1. FAQ091 Labor, Delivery, and Postpartum Care. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol. 2013:1-3. 2. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2013. 3. Earls MF; Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health American Academy of Pediatrics. Incorporating recognition and management of perinatal and postpartum depression into pediatric practice. Pediatrics. 2010;126(5):1032-1039. 4. Prevalence of Self-Reported Postpartum Depressive Symptoms–17 States, 2004-2005. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwR/ preview/mmwrhtml/mm5714a1.htm. Accessed November 2, 2017. 5. Robertson E, Celasun N, Stewart DE. Risk factors for postpartum depression. In: Stewart DE, Robertson E, Dennis CL, Grace SL, Wallington T. Postpartum Depression: Literature Review of Risk Factors and Interventions. Toronto, Canada: University Health Network Women’s Health Program; 2003. 6. Depression Among Women. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc. gov/reproductivehealth/depression/index.htm. Accessed May 3, 2018. 7. Postpartum Depression Facts. National Institute of Mental Health website. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/ postpartum-depression-facts/index.shtml. Accessed July 12, 2018. 8. Screening for Perinatal Depression. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 757. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Obstet Gynecol. 2018;132:e208-212. 9. Vliegen N, Casalin S, Luyten P. The course of postpartum depression: a review of longitudinal studies. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2014;22(1):1-22. 10. Moses-Kolko EL, Roth EK. Antepartum and postpartum depression: healthy mom, healthy baby. J Am Med Womens Assoc. 2004;59(3):181-191. 11. Ko JY, Rockhill KM, Tong VT, Morrow B, Farr SL. Trends in postpartum depressive symptoms—27 states, 2004, 2008, and 2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017;66(6):153-158. 12. As reviewed in Thurgood S, Avery DM, Williamson L. Postpartum depression (PPD). Am J Clin Med. 2009;6(2):17-22. 13. Abramowitz JS, Meltzer-Brody S, Leserman J, et al. Obsessional thoughts and compulsive behaviors in a sample of women with postpartum mood symptoms. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2010;13(6):523-530



EPISODE 82 | THE #1 TOOL TO STAY SANE WHILE #TTC

Understanding the Self Coaching Model

WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER

  • How our thinking about our past serves or doesn’t serve us.

  • The importance of understanding that the past has no control over us until we have a thought about it.

  • Why recognizing the difference between a thought and a circumstance is crucial to understanding how your brain works.

  • How using the Self Coaching Model will allow you to obtain full control over your life.

  • How you can move away from a completely negative thought to a place where you think positive, nurturing thoughts.

  • How to run a self coaching model C-T-F-A-R

Overview

You may have heard me talk about the MODEL on episodes 48 and 54 when I talked about certainty and thought management, but truly you need to hear it again. These are concepts you can’t hear enough to really understand them. this is because most of us were not taught how to manage our minds. Even fewer of us were taught exercises to really understand our minds, not just how to conceptualize how the mind works. This exercise of using the self coaching model is something I have been working with for two and a half years now in Self Coaching Scholars with Brooke Castillo. It’s been instrumental in me reclaiming my health and my sanity as a step parent. I know this can handle any situation and I want to teach it to you. I truly believe if you work with it and actually write down the models that you run, it can be the #1 tool to help you keep your cool while you are patiently waiting to conceive!

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Hey, If you enjoy listening to this podcast, I invite you to sign up for my fall into fertility cleanse. It’s a led cleanse for 5 days with an emphasis on healthy food choices and mind work to get control of your mind when it comes to diet and your fertility journey. You’ll enjoy a week’s worth of super easy and nutritious meal recommendations with shopping lists and daily live coaching with me to help you get ahold of buffering patterns that are holding you back from your most fertile self body, mind and soul. We start Monday, December 2nd. Head over to https://www.fertilemindsradio.com/ and click the work with me tab to sign up.

Disclaimer *

You must not rely on the information in this podcast as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition you should seek immediate medical attention. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website or in this podcast.


EPISODE 75 | MINI MINDFUL MOMENT | An Implantation Meditation for an IVF Cycle

We're back with another meditation to help you get your mind and your heart on the same page during that crucial stage of implantation. This meditation was a listener request and is geared towards someone undergoing an IVF cycle, but really anyone in the implantation window of their cycle will benefit from listening. Let's turn on our relaxation response and turn up our ability to hold life.

music credit: Christopher Lloyd Clarke 

photo credit Sayan Nath @sayannath

For more meditations just like this one at your fingertips visit us here

EPISODE 58 | MINI MINDFUL MOMENT | Moving From "I Deserve" to "I Have."

Hey there, Hilary here. Your go-to gal to help you form a plan to reclaim your fertility and create a healthy family for generations to come, all while staying sane along the way. I've got another mini-mindful moment for you today to help you combat the stress  I know you are bombarded by on your fertility journey.

Today's meditation is an excerpt from my new 30 days of fertility meditations program if you want instant access to more meditations just like this one, along with writing prompts and calming images to take your medication in to your day and to go deeper, just head over to LadyPotions.com and click the meditations tab to find the link to purchase or the tab that says, "Work with me."

I'm sure you've heard time and time again that stress negatively affects fertility and pregnancy, I'm sure that you've been told on more than one occasion to just relax and it will happen, that probably really makes you stress out maybe, even want to punch that person. Now, you can't exactly go around cutting all the stress out of your life. I mean, fertility challenges alone are stressful, your partner or your job could be your main source of stress so what are you supposed to do? Give up? Quit? Not a chance.

You make a game out of making friends with your stress response, you acknowledge it. You know what's going to happen and you get good at catching it before it becomes a freight train careening out of control, then you see how fast you can change your stress response into a relaxation response by trying on one of these little beauties from our mini-mindful moment's installments.

Meditation and mindfulness techniques and the ability to turn on our parasympathetic nervous system or what's known as "the breed and feed part" of our minds. Our evidence-based practices that not only enhance the fertility but they can also help you hold a pregnancy, even if it's high-risk.

Remember, it's not stress that's enemy, it's how fast we can get back into the relaxed state that really matters. I don't know about you, but this is not something that I was taught when I was younger. I had to go looking to find how to do this on my own and that's exactly why I've created this for you.

These mini-relaxation techniques are quick, easy to apply throughout your day and restore your relaxation response in moments. Keeping your mind broadcasting the message to your body that it's a safe time and place to create life. Helping you feel back in control of your stress and ready to conceive.

Today's meditation has to do with your ability to move from the mindset of " I deserve", which is actually a victim based mindset, into the mindset of "I have" as if it already happened. We are racing our biological clock or leading a life where we are trying to cram in everything all at once. It is very easy to push the body past as normal limits. We begin to deplete our adrenal glands in the name of achieving, forgetting that adrenaline is a precious substance to be used wisely instead of freely.

Unfortunately, the more we pump our adrenaline by overextending ourselves, chugging coffee and energy drinks, staying up too late, binging on sugar, the more addicted we become to this state. When we start to get depleted we become emotionally leaky and the recording in our head starts to whine saying, " I deserve." Instead of recognizing all that you have, pushing you to keep overextending yourself, keeping you trapped in a cycle of exhaustion and ill satisfaction.

The next time you hear yourself or your partners say, "I deserve" or "I want." Try replacing it with "We have so much." The reason for this is that like attracts like, the shift in thinking in speech will help to magnetize us into a place to receive more abundance into our lives. It will help us to create the lives we desire through a sense of gratitude rather than a sense of entitlement.

It is said that the root chakra governs our adrenaline glands and the connection with our nervous system that decides when and how much of a state of fight-or-flight we will be in, has a response to any thought, conversation or experience we have. Our second chakra covers our reproductive hormones, largely in part to the messages it receives from the root chakra.

If adrenaline is flowing our sex hormones are not. Not only does this deplete our ability to physically create healthy offspring, it also depletes our libido and our desire to connect because when adrenaline is high, it sends the message to every single cell that we are not safe. Most women need to feel safe and a desire to connect before sex even enters our minds.

 When we try to make a baby from this state, it becomes one more thing that we have to cross off our list or achieve rather than a product of desire state of union with our partner. We're in a constant mountain-climbing of achieving, the idea that a baby is never achieved and only received can seem extremely foreign and evasive. 

 We have to take the time to get calm and grounded so that we aren't accidentally hijacking our own sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone if we want to create a baby out of a state of union. Even if you're already doing IVF, you still want to be able to connect with your partner and enjoy it.

Today's meditation will focus on the connection between the first and second chakra, stabilizing our fight-or-flight response in order to help us regulate our reproductive hormones. Helping us to move from, "I deserve" to "I have." So, let's get started.

 Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down. If you're sitting, make sure that the spine is erect without tension. We call your alignment exercise from day one, stacking each chakra over the next from the pelvis up. Imagine that there's a string at the top of your head pulling everything into perfect, yet gentle alignment. 

Begin to observe your breath, just the gentle entering, and exiting using the part of your mind that's listening to my voice. Observe its inhaled and its exhales if you've had a particularly stressful day and you are in a place where you feel comfortable to exhale audibly, just let that go with the breath.

Maybe you can even imagine your worries or your stresses leaving on the wave of each exhale.

Gently begin to move your attention away from the breath and into the center of your head. Move your awareness all the way down to the base of the spine, the root chakra located in the center of your body between the perineum and the last vertebrae.

Maybe you can sense its deep red color.

This area is open and free of energetic debris. We feel stable and calm, provided for and safe.

Allow this chakra to begin to spin in your mind's eye or maybe just a sense of energy that you have in this area. Don't worry about which direction it spins, just imagine it's going like a gear.

As it moves, it burns off any insecurities around not having enough.

About a handbreadth above that chakra is the second chakra or our sexual chakra. Maybe, you can see or imagine its brilliant orange light, again, looking like a gear. This gear begins to spin in an opposite direction though from the root chakra below it, like interlocking watch gears feeding energetically off one another, bridging the gap between adrenaline and our reproductive hormones. When our second chakra is open and free, they are like a magnet.

Polarizing our partner to come next to us, near us, to be with us to create life. We're also a magnet of abundance, drawing in our heart's desires, the ability to form them into completion. Allow yourself to just sit for a moment with this visualization of the red and orange gear interlocking with one another, cleaning out any limiting beliefs as they spin.

 The vibration to strengthen the root chakra is lam, L-A-M, lam.

The vibration to strengthen the second chakra is vam, V-A-M, vam.

For the next five minutes, sit quietly with your awareness and attention in your lower abdomen in these two chakras. Listening to the silent repetition of lam vam, lam vam emanating from this place, strengthening your ability to remain calm in the state of stress.

Remember, the mantra is never forced. It's always gentle and when you find that you've drifted into thoughts or physical sensations, which is completely normal, just come back to listening to the silent repetition lam vam, lam vam. I'll ring a soft bell when it's time to let the mantra go.

Gently release the mantra, allow yourself to sit quietly for a moment and just observe the shift that you've made into a state of calmness, greater well-being, and heightened reproductive capability. You can say this any time, any place yourself that you need a little reminder to just stay calm, lam vam. Bye for now.

Thanks for listening to Fertile Minds Radio, hosted at www.LadyPotions.com, where you'll find past episodes, show notes, and free meditations. If you've benefited from what you've heard, leave a comment or review so it makes it easier for others to find this valuable wisdom. Let's help elevate each other. Thanks for listening.

photo credit Charles Postiaux @charlpost

@ladypotions4u on Instagram

EPISODE 50 | MINI MINDFUL MOMENT | Energetic Liberation and Physical Manifestation

When it comes to using the chakras there are actually two currents that help the energy to flow, however, most people are only accustomed to using one of them working from the bottom chakra up. This pathway is what is sometimes referred to as the path to liberation or emotional freedom. The other less know current is the downward current from the heavens to the earth plane, sometimes referred to as the current of manifestation. For thousands of years in Chinese Medicine humans have been explained as a divine mix of matter and spirit, a pivot if you will between heaven and earth. When it comes to using the chakras and meditations to help your pursuits of beckoning a healthy happy baby into your life, both currents must be taken into consideration. This meditation will show you how to do just that, all while helping you turn on your relaxation response. 

EPISODE 48 | HOW TO MANAGE YOUR FERTILITY THOUGHTS

The Importance of Managing Your Thoughts When Trying to Conceive & How to Act as if You Have Already Conceived Until it Does

 Description:

So much of how we feel and the reality we create relate back to our thoughts. Up to 7% of our thoughts are repetitive ones, and they end up shaping our emotions and eventually much of our physiological state. In today’s episode, Hillary provides a visualization and meditation practice to connect with our future selves and to help us become aware of how our thoughts affect our emotions. This is especially important in fertility, where we often must believe in something that hasn’t happened yet, such as becoming a parent.

 

Takeaways:

[1:35] With more than one thought a second and 60,000 of them a day, it is completely normal for us to believe that our thoughts are the true reality.

[2:55] Most of our thoughts that continue to cycle throughout our adult life begin in the ages of 5-15 years old. This is when we are most trying to figure out and navigate the world around us, with our brain trying to create connections and realities to keep us safe.

[3:15] Your thoughts and beliefs create a vibration, a feeling, and emotion. They ultimately inform our nrevous system and tell us if we are in a threatening situation or one where there is safety and security.

[8:25] Hillary defines stress as an experience of an unmet need or expectation.

[9:42] A woman’s brain can make fertility issues just as bad as a chronic health condition. It is common in infertility issues for our brains to get stuck on a loop questioning if it will ever happen or why it hasn’t happened yet. Our brains are always looking for evidence from our past to shape what we believe.

[10:43] By changing your thoughts you will change your outlook, emotions, and nervous system.

[11:01] The brain is always looking for confirmation of our thoughts.

[11:54] The exercise begins. This gives us the opportunity to see how fast you can change your stress response to a relaxation response and turn on our parasympathetic nervous system or what is known as breed and feed. This state not only enhances fertility but can also help hold a pregnancy, even if it is high risk.




Ways to listen and were you can subscribe:

Fertile Minds on LibSyn

Fertile Minds on iTunes

Fertile Minds on Spotify

@ladypotions4u

Lady Potions Meditations

 

Continue Your Journey:

@ladypotions4u on Twitter

@ladypotions4u on Instagram


Disclaimer *

You must not rely on the information in this podcast as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition you should seek immediate medical attention. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website or in this podcast.

 

EPISODE 46 | MINI MINDFUL MOMENT | What Are YOU Grateful For?

What Are YOU Grateful For?

At my house we do the cliche thanksgiving thing of what are we all grateful for. and that what we are going to do today in our meditation, only we are going to explore gratitude in the 5 realms of our life as it relates to our fertility picture, because sometimes those answers are a little contrived, or a little PC, because your parents neighbors who you’ve never met are joining in the celebration and that’s just awkward sauce to say out loud to anyone but your partner. 

According to davidji, The 5 Realms of Our Life are

  1. Spiritual

  2. Physical

  3. Emotional

  4. Relationship

  5. Material

You might want a  pen and piece of paper to jot things down after so you can keep them close or put them in your calendar as a reminder before important appointments.


EPISODE 44 | MINI MINDFUL MOMENT | Have You Been "Noceboed" ?

How to Recognize and Reverse a Nocebo

Most of us are familiar with a placebo, however, do you know what a nocebo is? A nocebo is a detrimental effect on health produced by psychological or psychosomatic factors such as negative expectations of treatment or prognosis by a health care provider. It happens in the fertility and birth worlds more than you think. Today we will go into detail of signs that it is happening, how to be more aware in the moment during healthcare appointments, and how to undo it if it has happened to you. Cheers to happy beliefs, less stress, and being one breath closer to that baby you are dreaming of! 

[12:39] Visualization Begins

Links Mentioned

Pregnancy Brain

It’s Conceivable

The Three Keys to Conception

http://www.hypnofertility.com/

Parents On Demand Network

We are super excited to now be a part of the POD network, available in any app store for free. You’ll find Fertile Minds Radio as well as other qualified podcasts guaranteed to help you on the road to parenting success.

EPISODE 38 | MINI MINDFUL MOMENT | Verbal Suggestions So You Can Calm the Frick Down

Todays relaxation response technique is technically called Autogenic Training. It’s a technique that is credited to Dr. Johannes Schultz and was popularized in the 90’s by Dr. Herbert Benson’s book - The Relaxation Response and has to do with the power of verbal suggestion. Now these verbal suggestions called orientations, can be thought of as a type of self hypnosis. This is different than an affirmation because we are going to take the verbal suggestions into the body to help it relax, not just repeat something in our minds. Once you’ve used this phrase though and effectively calmed your body down, you should be able to pull it out in a pinch and repeat it silently to yourself and have some of the same effect. It's perfect to use when your heart is racing before a doctors appointment or during the two week wait when you find yourself extra anxious. When you use autogenic training, you are essentially bypassing your conscious mind in order to instruct your body to relax via your subconscious mind. Autogenic Training sounds so formal and stuffy though- so I decided to rename it today to verbal suggestions so you can calm the frick down.

Today's episode is brought to you by, Pregnancy Brain, by Parijat Deshpande. You can find it anywhere books are sold or at pregnancybrainbook.com.

EPISODE 36 | MINI MINDFUL MOMENT | Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Mini Mindful Moments- Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Have you ever had the experience where you go to get a massage or acupuncture or maybe even a pedicure, and you have no idea that you are holding stress in your body until the practitioner starts working on you, and it hurts sooo good and you are suddenly aware of 

A. how stressed you are

B. that something hurts that you didn’t even realize 

C. how disconnected you are from your body

I have, guilty as charged. It happens, I get caught up in my to do lists or the occasional over extension of myself and I show up at one of my bi- monthly scheduled self care appointments and I’m suddenly aware that I am way more stressed than I thought. I see this happen all the time in my clinic with my fertility patients. I ask them if they have any pain or discomfort and they reply, I’m fine. Often times I will start with a technique of cupping to help relieve tension in the neck and back and as soon as I lay my hands on them, I can feel the knots. Sometimes I can see the tension in their necks, just by how they are holding themselves. So if this sounds like you, today’s exercise is going to help you get out of your head and into your body. It’s call PMR or progressive muscle relaxation. It’s great for people that live in their heads. It distracts them just long enough to reconnect with their precious body. Now if you have an acute or chronic pain you may want to skip that body or go lightly with it when we get there, as this technique involves tensing the muscle first and then relaxation. It’s kind of like tricking your muscles into relaxing, especially when you feel like you no longer know how to. So even if you’ve done this one before, do it with me. Sometimes its super nice to just let someone else guide you and really get you out of your head. 



EPISODE 34 | MINI MINDFUL MOMENT | Mindfulness 101

How do you set the tone for mindfulness & actually practice it?

Whether you are doing something prolific like making love, or something mundane like the dishes get in the habit of asking yourself these questions and then observing the answer you come up with, without judgment. 

What do I hear?

What do I feel?

What do I smell?

What do I see?

What do I taste?

Try it with me, wherever you are, whatever you are doing ask yourself these simple questions. Drop into the present moment and quit entertaining your past or your worries about the future. 

By taking the time to ask yourself these questions and thoughtfully responding, you allow yourself to me more fully engaged in the activity and deepen your experience.

Even though it is a practice that is seemingly more mental than following the breath because we are entertaining your mind, it really allows you to drop out of your head and into your body. 

It allows you take a break from what’s going on in your head, which chances are is the same conversation with yourself on repeat, and I’m willing to bet it’s probably not saying anything you would repeat to someone outloud. 

So if you want to change the way you feel, you have to start paying attention to what is really happening in the moment and not what your repetitious thoughts would like you to believe. 

It's so simple. 

You just have to commit to doing it! 

Let's get mindful together. 

Join me in the 29 Day Fertility Meditation Challenge- Begins August 26th


EPISODE 32 | MINI MINDFUL MOMENT | Ocean Breath

Mini Mindful Moments- Fertility Exercises For Every Day Use

Meditation is great, but what happens when you need to reset your nervous system during the day from Fight & Flight to Breed & Feed? Mini Mindful Moments are techniques for you to try out throughout your day to help you not only be more mindful and present, they will affect your nervous, immune, and endocrine systems biochemically in a positive way when practiced regularly. Enjoy! 

I suggest setting an alarm on your phone during your work day or after what you anticipate to be stressful events to help you get in the habit of creating a calmer you! Try it and see for yourself and remember what calm, cool, and confident you feels like. 



EPISODE 29 | MINDFUL MOMENTS | Honoring Our Lineage

Mindful Moments- Honoring Our Lineage

Today’s mindful moment gives you a little taste of our 29-day meditation challenge, of which we are currently getting phenomenal feedback and results. In keeping with the theme of working with our feminine and masculine energy, we will engage in a meditation to help and honor those who came before us and unblock any blockages that we have with our family. This meditation may have you feeling lighter, more open, and a sense of gratitude and respect for those that made us who we are.

To share your own fertility story, please email me at hillary@ladypotions.com. I look forward to connecting with you, as you are what this podcast is all about.

Takeaway:

[:51] The results have been astounding so far for our 29-day meditation challenge. The feedback has been great, that we wanted to share a meditation where you will be connecting with your ancestors and clearing up any familial blockages.

[2:25] This meditation honors those that came before us, and removes any blockages that we have with our family. It does not matter how close you are or aren’t with your family, as you will be connecting with the energy in your familial line.

[3:29] Meditation begins.

Disclaimer *

You must not rely on the information in this podcast as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition you should seek immediate medical attention. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website or in this podcast.


EPISODE 26 | THE THREE KEYS TO CONCEPTION | Lynsi Eastburn HypnoFertility Method

Board-certified hypnotherapist and award-winning author Lynsi Eastburn joins us today to share her experience from over 25 years in the mind-body healing arts. Lynsi is a true pioneer of bringing hypnosis to the treatment of infertility, and we had such a fabulous talk about how belief systems can become a block when trying to fall pregnant, how she was led to her calling, the creation of HypnoFertility®, and how hypnosis can help us switch from fear and doubt into observation and peace.

Takeaway:

[0:32] Our guest today is Lynsi Eastburn. Lynsi is a board-certified hypnotherapist and certified hypnotherapy instructor through the National Guild of Hypnotists, along with running the Eastburn Hypnotherapy Center and Eastburn Institute of Hypnosis with her husband Drake. Lynsi is an award-winning author, with one more book in the works entitled Waiting in the Wings, the Pink Starlights.

[8:03] Lynsi said yes to the whispers that were stirring in her at a young age of having an interest in helping women have babies and bringing sensitivity and compassion to those having fertility issues.

[13:54] Lynsi’s book, It’s Conceivable is the art and science of hypnotherapy — how it deeply affects the nervous system and our mental and emotional blocks.

[16:02] Hypnosis impacts the neural pathway, rewires our conditioning, and helps bring in shifts from the subconscious mind to the present moment to manifest our reality.

Lynsi graciously created a bonus hypnofertility session just for you that wasn't part of our interview. Have a listen or download for later. 


[28:20] We talk about the spiritual side of fertility and a good exercise in how we experience the spiritual realm. 

[30:22] Whether it’s an Indigo, Rainbow, or Crystal child, they all need structure and parental involvement. We are both inspired by the work of Carolyn Myss in the world of spiritual upbringing on a physical plane.

[39:45] Lynsi’s three keys to conception: meditate, listen, and trust.

[50:42] As a parent herself, Lynsi establishes a strong parental role but also isn’t afraid to own her mistakes and apologize when something is her fault. There is an exchange of energy and lessons to be learned but they must have an environment of structure.

[56:42] We explore hysteria, the uterus, and how it was treated in the past, vs. our present-day tendency to “sshhh” women into not expressing their emotions and trauma.

[62:02] She is also generously giving away 10 copies of her book to the first 10 people that visit our show notes! Click the enter button and winners will be announced on my Instagram page: @LadyPotions4u on April 29, the last day of National Infertility Week. #flipthescript #NIAW

References:

Fertile Minds on LibSyn

Fertile Minds on iTunes

American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine

Lynsi Eastburn 

It’s Conceivable: Hypnosis for Fertility, by Lynsi Eastburn, BCH

The 3 Keys to Conception, by Lynsi Eastburn

Carolyn Myss

 

Continue Your Journey:

www.spiritbabywhisperer.com

www.hypnodenver.com

Take the Fertile Minds Meditation challenge and see what a fertile mind feels like. Each day you’ll receive access to a 15 minute guided meditation designed to yield more clarity and calm no matter wher you are on your path to building a family.

If you are feeling frustrated and wish you could experience feeling more patient this challenge is for you.

If you are finding yourself resentful and want to feel empowered instead this challenge is for you.

If you are feeling lost and overwhelmed with all things fertility and long to be more centered during the process of striving for a family this challenge is for you.

If you’ve wanted to add meditation to your self care routine but had no idea where to start this challenge is for you.

You'll learn how to shift your attention from the future to the present moment helping you to feel more fulfilled and patient with the process, your life, your partner and maybe even God.

You won't know though until you commit to the challenge. I'll be there with you every step of the way, one complete menstrual cycle, until it becomes your new favorite habit. Meditate, Listen, Trust, Repeat

@ladypotions4u on Twitter

*Disclaimer-You must not rely on the information in this podcast as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition you should seek immediate medical attention. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website or in this podcast.

EPISODE 24 | MINDFUL MOMENTS | Guided Visualization for Relaxation

Today’s Mindful Moment session invites you to float away from the everyday stresses and move towards what makes you feel good. Our guided meditation doesn’t use a mantra or breath, just our imagination to teleport you to a place that we associate with comfort and relaxation. This is perfect for yourself and possibly your partner as well, and a great way to start your morning practice or before going to a doctor’s appointment.

To share your own fertility story, please email me at hillary@ladypotions.com. I look forward to connecting with you, as you are what this podcast is all about.

Takeaway:

[0:33] Today’s episode is brought to you by my 29-Day Meditation Challenge, starting April 29, 2018.

[1:17] Managing and lowering stress is extremely important in everyday life, especially in cases of fertility and conception. For example, a study in 1993 by Domar pointed out that distress scores of depression and anxiety were similar to those engaged in cancer treatment and MORE than those recovering from a heart attack.

[2:15] I suggest the images rather than give them to you because what we all find relaxing is subjective and it is up to you to feel in control and calm. The more you practice this guided meditation, the more you access this during stressful or trying times.

[4:14] The guided relaxation begins. Please find a comfortable place to lie down or sit where you are away from distractions.

[16:43] Guided relaxation comes to an end. Know that this is an exercise you can come back to time and time again when you need some relaxation and clarity in your life.

EPISODE 22 | MINDFUL MOMENTS- Quiet Continuous Breathing

Today’s mindful moments episode is all about setting your morning right with a quiet continuous breathing meditation. Whether you have 30 seconds or 30 minutes a morning, this will help get you clued into your own body every morning, and set you throughout your day with more positive self-talk and intention. I recommend this meditation both before and after you take your basal body temperature. Nothing fancy, just quiet continuous breathing and some visualization to start your day out with a connection to yourself and your calmest potential. To share your own fertility story, please email me at hillary@ladypotions.com. I look forward to connecting with you, as you are what this podcast is all about.

TIP: Do this BEFORE you take your BBT in the morning for optimal mindset throughout your day

Takeaway:

[1:11] Today's Mindful Moments Meditation focuses on the quiet and continuous breath.

[2:31] Watching bad news early in the day had long-lasting effects and set the tone for a negative day. Shawn Achor and his wife Michelle Gielan, as originally reported in Harvard Business Review, found when you’re exposed to just three minutes of negative news first thing in the morning, you have a 27 percent higher likelihood of reporting that you had a bad day six to eight hours later, compared to a group exposed to positive, solutions-focused news.

[4:18] If you like these meditations and want to sign up for my free 29-day meditation challenge I’ll be offering in April, go to the show notes click here and click the link to sign up so you’ll know as soon as it is live. If you are listening to this past April 2018 you can still click the link and you'll be able to purchase the challenge to do on your own.

[6:09] The key is to pay attention and observe the breath. This meditation does 4 x 4 breaths, with observing on the inhale and exhale. This is a technique that I just practiced with my teacher davidji and I absolutely love. I have a hard time following my breath, but this practice had me in a trance in a matter of minutes.

[9:02] It is recommended to do this meditation, take your basal body temperature and then practice the meditation again. Even as little as 5 minutes can be key to setting the tone for the day.

[10:45] You will hear a bell at the 5, 10, 15 and 20-minute mark. This will remind us to gently move our focus back on the breath.

[11:21] Meditation begins and offers a sweet spot of quiet and quickness.

[35:59] Meditation ends and we focus on our physical surroundings and the peacefulness we cultivated.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Link to sign up for free 29-day meditation challenge

Manifest Your Dream Life Retreat with davidji -affiliate link- coupon code for $150 discount- dreamlife2018 

@ladypotions4u on Twitter

@ladypotions4u on Instagram

Special Thanks to Christopher Lloyd Clarke for music

EPISODE 20 | MINDFUL MOMENT | A Meditation to Help with Implantation While #TTC

A meditation to provide more peace and joy along your fertility road trip.

Description: Feelings of loneliness, fear, and doubt are universal to a woman during her fertility road trip. It is common to feel hopeful and confident one moment and then isolated and frazzled the next. Today’s mindful moment episode will be all about restoring more peace and joy into your space, and to remind you that we are all connected and can send healing energy and love to one another, especially during a time such as implantation.

We will dive deep in a meditation that came out organically as I was working with a lovely woman on her our experience. Today’s meditation will help you connect to your heart, let go of attachment, and breathe in faith and gratitude. To share your own fertility story, please email me at hillary@ladypotions.com. I look forward to connecting with you, as you are what this podcast is all about.

Takeaways

[1:53] The difference between a positive and negative stress experience is the beholder’s perception of time.

[2:35] This episode is dedicated to Lindsey, who inspired Hillary as she is brave and inspiring along her fertility road trip. This meditation that came out organically as they were working together and Hillary recommends this as a useful tool for relaxation during the implantation process.

[8:02] Meditation begins.

 

References:

Fertile Minds on LibSyn

Fertile Minds on iTunes

American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine

Continue Your Journey:

@ladypotions4u on Twitter

@ladypotions4u on Instagram

Special Thanks to Christopher Lloyd Clarke for music