Mindfulness for PMDD with Diane

In this episode, I share the symptoms that had me wondering if I had entered perimenopause and what is has been like navigating a tangled mess of PMDD, Autism, Autistic Burnout and Perimenopause.I also review the book Autistic Menopause: A Guide to the Menopausal Transition for Autistic People and Those Supporting Them by Dr. Rachel Moseley and Professor Julie Gamble-Turner, sharing my reactions and top takeaways.Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

 Have you ever noticed that when you're having a really tough day it can often feel harder to do the very things that you know will help you to feel a bit better?Mindfulness can be especially hard to practice on our hard days, even though stress management skills can be helpful for those of us with PMDD or Autism (or other chronic illness or neurodivergence, for that matter).In this episode, I discuss how to meet yourself where you are--and honor your capacity--by folding a bit of mindfulness into some of the things you might already be doing on a regular day. I also share a mindfulness exercise that makes use of something you might already be doing on a challenging day, which is reaching for a cup of your favorite, warm, cozy drink.Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Learn how the Belle app is so much more than a symptom tracker and how it can help you to not only get some relief from PMDD in the short term, but also build resistance over time.Victoria Schoeffel is the CEO and Co-founder at Belle Health. Victoria was inspired to " change the status quo in female health" after identifying a gap in support for premenstrual dysphoric disorder. While she was at the University of Cambridge, Victoria and her co-founder and Belle Health CTO, Rafael Schaider, combined her personal experience living with PMDD, and her degrees in psychology and medicine, with Rafael's engineering background to help people living with PMDD get tailored, evidence-based and proven guidance to help manage the luteal phase. In this conversation, Victoria shares her own personal experiences with PMDD and how she came across a study of internet based cognitive behavioral therapy that became the starting point, or the inspiration, for the Belle Health app. I have tried the app for myself and there's so much good stuff in there. I love the SOS feature that helps you quickly find the right tool by selecting the symptom that's bothering you in the moment. There's also a self-paced course that goes deeper into these strategies and exercises. You can generate a symptom report to take to your doctor if you're trying to get a diagnosis. And Belle Health is now coming out with a Belle Smart Ring, which is going to use your physiological data to give you better and more specific recommendations tailored to your individual needs, and I'm really excited for that to come out.So please enjoy my chat with Victoria Schoeffel.#PMDD #stress #PMS #ADHD #autism #mindfulnessConnect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

What if I told you that you don't need to meditate or do a mindfulness exercise to practice mindfulness?What if I also told you that it is an act of mindfulness to:kindly acknowledge how much things suck right nowrecognize your needsand choose to move forward by giving yourself what you need right nowThat's what I talk about in this episode. I also share how I haven't been practicing mindfulness the same way I'm used to, since struggling through autistic burnout (which also gets much worse, for me, in the luteal phase).Oh...and I also guide you through a meditation for PMDD anxiety at the end.In case you do feel up for a guided meditation. xoDianeConnect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Do you feel like you spend so much time managing your PMDD that you are losing touch with: the things that are important to you?the things that bring you joy?the people you love to be around?This absolutely happened to me. And it makes sense!It makes sense that when when PMDD is taking over our lives, we want to do everything we can to feel better and get back to living. And yet, that very process of finding ourselves living in survival mode, or diving into healing, can push us away from the things that make life feel fulfilling. This meditation is inspired by an ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy/Training) exercise, sometimes called 'The Magic Wand' or 'A Miracle Has Happened', etc.It helps us to get back in touch with our values, by guiding us through:(1) Imagining the life we'd create for ourselves if we had no worries or burdens. (2) Encouraging us to consider how we can bring a bit of that into our current day-to-day lives.#PMDD#PMS#chronicillness#Autism#NeurodivergentConnect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

In this episode, Shamash Alidina and I discuss: How living with PMDD, or other chronic illness, can lead us to pause our life while we try to heal And how this can lead to losing touch with ourselves and the things that bring value, meaning and purpose to our livesShamash and I talk about how making room for our challenges, and turning back to the things that are meaningful for us, can help us to live a richer, more purposeful life, even with PMDD.I share how fighting less, and opening up more, actually led me to find some relief from PMDD symptoms.Shamash is best known as the internationally bestselling author of 10 books including Mindfulness For Dummies and The Mindful Way through Stress. He also co-founded the world's first Museum of Happiness in London, and often collaborates with UK Charity, Action for Happiness.Shamash pioneered online Mindfulness Teacher Training, launching his program Teach Mindfulness Online, and has been training practitioners in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy–or Training–also called ACT. Mentioned in this episode:The Little Book of ACT: A Simple and Fun Guide to Living a Meaningful Life Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Shamash AlidinaEmpower Yourself: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Colouring Book by Shamash AlidinaLearn more about Shamash and his programs hereConnect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Last month, I shared that I recently learned I'm Autistic. This month I'm talking about the autistic burnout I've been in since the summer. Specifically:What triggered autistic burnoutThe first signs I was in burnoutHow I realized I was in autistic burnout and had it confirmedHow autistic burnout came on just before my autism assessmentThe symptoms of autistic burnout I'm experiencingWhat I'm doing to help myself through burnoutHow my burnout, autism, and PMDD affect each otherFor now, I plan to continue to post one interview and one solo episode each month.Talk to you soon!Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Cheryl Crow, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist who lives with Rheumatoid arthritis and runs a support group for others living with chronic illness. She also practices and applies Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into her own life and in her work.In our chat, Cheryl shares about:Her diagnosis story and experience with medical gaslightingHow she came to run a support group for people with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic illnessThe mental health journey of living–and thriving–with chronic illness even when you are still in discomfort after trying all the things in your toolboxAnd how acceptance is different from resignationCheryl Crow is a fierce advocate for meeting the full picture of patients’ needs beyond joint pain. After living with rheumatoid arthritis for over a decade and becoming an occupational therapist, Cheryl founded Arthritis Life with the mission of educating, empowering and supporting people with arthritis.Cheryl is known for her entertaining yet educational videos featuring arthritis life hacks, product demonstrations, and insights into the psychosocial aspects of life with invisible chronic illness. She created and hosts the Arthritis Life Podcast and runs the online self-management course and support group Rheum to THRIVE, where she helps people adjust to their conditions and live full and meaningful lives.Contact Cheryl:Arthritis Life website (program & podcast info here)Instagram @arthritis_life_cheryl Also mentioned in this episode:Autoimmune diseaseAcceptance and Commitment TherapyThe Happiness Trap by Russ HarrisDr Steven C. HayesKristin Neff and self-compassionDr John Gottman Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

I recently had an Autism assessment and learned that I am in fact Autistic.In this episode I discuss what led me to pursue an Autism assessment, how I've been feeling since having my Autism confirmed, and what this has to do with my PMDD and this podcast. Mentioned in this episode:Aspergirls by Rudy SimoneUnmasking Autism by Devon Price, PhD.Dr. Stephen ShoreConnect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Have you ever said or done something in luteal that left you cringing with guilt and shame?Have you wondered whether you might have bipolar disorder or PMDD or both?Want to know how to tweak your daily routines to help boost your mood?This episode is for you! On it, I chat with Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, based out of California. Robyn specializes in Bipolar Disorder and OCD, and works with clients who have PMDD. She and I talk about:The differences between Bipolar Disorder and PMDD and how they are diagnosed.How you can learn from an episode or meltdown to balance your mood a bit better and perhaps prevent one in the future.How you can use symptom tracking to look out for the 'yellow flag'.The #1 daily habit you can start changing now to improve your mood.About RobynRobyn Tamanaha is a Japanese American Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Orange County, CA. She provides video therapy to individuals that live in the state of California. She has been a therapist for over 10 years and has her own private practice where she specializes in helping people who are living with Bipolar Disorder and OCD. Therapy website Instagram Referenced in this episode:What is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder? by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFTIAPMD (International Association for Premenstrual Disorders)Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

You know the feeling... You're in your luteal phase and along comes some negative thought--about yourself, your life, your PMDD--and before you even know what is happening you are getting swept up in that thought and down an endless spiral of ruminating on this thought. You are now going down the rabbit hole with this thought, unable to let it go, and maybe even believing whatever awful thing this thought is telling you. In this process, you may be starting to feel uncomfortable sensations in your body. (For me, it was often a shaky, 'zinging' or anxious feeling.)So what can we do to start putting a little space between our thoughts and feelings? To practice becoming less hooked by them...Or less attached?The meditation offered in this episode (Leaves on a Stream) is one way to start building this skill. I invite you to join me in this practice.Also, this is the final episode of Season 1 but you can still find me:In previous episodesIn my newsletterOn InstagramOn Insight Timer (Free meditation app)And you can always reach out to learn more about my PMDD Coaching & Support program!xoDianeConnect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

I discovered Nikki Wilson’s Mindfulness work when I was in the throes of my own birth trauma drama, which ultimately led to a diagnosis of PTSD. While I was searching for help & support and seeking out a diagnosis, I needed something to help me survive and get through the difficult early days of new motherhood. At that time, Nikki had created, and was single-handedly running, a Mindfulness for Mums program, called 10 of Zen. I joined this group and felt so seen, so normal, and also, got some really valuable tools and tricks and developed skills, in the process, that helped me manage through anxiety, panic attacks, dissociating from my body, etc. etc., so that I could ‘stress less, and love more’ as Nikki would always say.  Nikki Wilson has a strong passion for driving social change. Her third sector career has focused on solving strategic challenges and building organisations from scratch including Make Birth Better, 10 of Zen, Wings for Life UK and Read International. Based in the UK, Nikki runs the ship and shapes the strategy for Make Birth Better and her deep drive comes from her lived experience of birth trauma.In our chat, Nikki and I discuss…-The charade of perfectionBeing present, not perfectThat the full spectrum of emotions is normalThat the aim is not to feel better, but to get better at feeling-The single nugget of mindfulness wisdom that Nikki still carries with her every day-And her own experiences with birth trauma, dyslexia, and ADHDFind Nikki and Make Birth Better hereConnect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

I like this meditation for helping to align body and mind, so you can use this one if:you're feeling disconnected from your bodyyou're feeling up in your head with your thoughtsyou're experiencing some uncomfortable sensations in your bodyyou want to explore trying to bring some ease and more comfort into your bodyIt can be nice in the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle or anytime, PMDD or otherwise!So I invite you to check it out and see what you think about this one.Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Do you find it hard to take care of yourself when you've also got kids to parent, a demanding job, a partner to show up for, and bills to pay? Then you need to listen to this interview with Ali Cornish.I reached out to Ali because I wanted to talk to another chronic illness warrior who has embraced simple living, minimalism, and mindfulness. Because I've learned that while we may have different diagnoses, often those of us living with chronic illness will have very similar experiences and challenges and desires for our own lives. Ali very generously shares with us: Her chronic illness journeySome of the traumas she has experienced in her life How she got her first taste of minimalism while still in high school How her relationship with minimalism and simple living evolved over time with her changing experiences and needs as she moved through different seasons of lifeWe also reflect on the difficulty of making time for self care when we have demanding jobs, people who need us, and bills to pay. Ali Cornish is a freelance writer and founder of Ever Thrive, who lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and two young sons. She was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 2016, but has been living with its symptoms since 2011. Ali has lived mostly pain free since adopting a minimalist lifestyle, as well as an anti inflammatory plant based diet.An advocate for naturopathic healing, she's also found relief from debilitating pain by drastically reducing stress in her life and work. Since her diagnosis, she has shared her story through Everthrive, a website dedicated to simple and essential living. Ali is inspired by nature, mindful living, and living a low tech lifestyle. She weaves this ethos into her minimalist way of life, all of which have assisted in managing her AS symptoms. Here's where you can find Ali:Everthrive websiteInstagram @everthriveMentioned in this episode:The PMDD Stress Cycle - Hear about it in Episode 2:Managing PMDD Stress with MindfulnessConnect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

So much of my resistance to PMDD came from trying to maintain the charade of perfection that I'd been trying to keep up my whole life!Mindfulness and Acceptance taught me to be present, not perfect. That the full spectrum of emotions is normal. That the aim is not to feel better, but to get better at feeling.And here's the crazy thing that happened when I let those ideas in...not ONLY did I feel so much better in my life with PMDD, but I also, finally, felt willing and able to open up to other challenges I'd been resisting my entire life!In this episode, I reflect on a recent interview I did with my first mindfulness teacher, Nikki Wilson. I thought I had lost the episode and wanted to capture my experience and my thoughts before the memory of it became diluted in my mind. Good news though: the files were saved and that interview will be featured in an upcoming episode!So, listen in as I discuss how my mindfulness and acceptance journey has helped to break me free from the impossible (and thus, never-ending) quest to be "perfect"...and get it all right...and not make mistakes. (Ugh, just thinking about it is exhausting!)Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Have you thought: "Is this grief? Am I going through grief right now?"Have you wondered why your experiences don't quite match up with the 5 Stages of Grief model we've all heard about?If you've got PMDD or any other chronic illness, chances are that, yea, you very well may have experienced grief as a result or are going through grief right now.Sarah McCauley LMFT is here to validate our feelings of grief and explain why they don't fit the 5 Stages of Grief model.She also shares 3 Questions to Ask Yourself When Grieving What PMDD Has Taken. And we discuss:Ambiguous grief, what it is, and how it relates to chronic illness.How grief is messy and non-linear.The 3 Questions we can ask ourselves as we move through grief.What you can do to support yourself in your own grief journey.Sarah McCauley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working in private practice in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, and has been in the mental health field since 2017. Sarah focuses primarily on working with individuals, couples, and families through significant life changes, stressors, traumas, and grief. She has been in a caregiving role personally and professionally, and worked alongside chronic and terminal illnesses. She has worked in a wide variety of settings to advocate for and collaborate with individuals navigating health concerns, both mental or physical. Outside of therapist life, she is a knitter, a mom, and an avid coffee mug collector.Website: www.ncfcmn.comSarah is available to do virtual trainings about trauma informed medical care and collaborative care meetings, educational talks about chronic illness and grief, and is also available to work with Minnesota based clients for individual, couples, or family therapy.Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

If you feel like you have tried all the PMDD treatments and suggested self-management tools and strategies and STILL feel like you're trapped in a vicious cycle with PMDD, you need to listen to this episode.I was there. That was me. Literally doing EVERYTHING I could to take care of myself--to optimize my health and minimize my symptoms--and guess what??No matter how good of a place I got myself to, no matter how much I'd decreased my symptoms...whenever life took a new turn or some new stress came up in my life, PMDD came right back, HARD. I was convinced I just hadn't found the right cocktail of self-management tools and when I found that last key ingredient--That last item of self-care rituals and healthy habits to add to my never-ending daily self-care to-do list--THEN I was going to finally feel better.I was convinced...UNTIL I realized it was just too exhausting and completely unsustainable to keep fighting this battle in this way. To put so much of my time, effort, energy, and literal blood, sweat, and tears, into FIGHTING PMDD with a full-time job's worth of self-care tasks.That's when I realized I needed a new strategy and that's when EVERYTHING turned around...my outlook AND my symptoms!And now I'm sharing that new strategy with you. The strategy of opening up to mindfulness and acceptance in order to reunite with yourself and the life you really want to live, even as you acknowledge your PMDD struggles and bring them along for the ride...the beautiful NEW ride!Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

I cannot stop seeing the commonalities between Minimalism and Mindfulness!In this episode, Emily and I chat about:Minimalism and Simple Living and their relevance to living with PMDD and Chronic IllnessHow my relationships with minimalism and mindfulness are connectedUnexplained fertility and in vitro fertilizationMotherhoodThe science behind clutter and stressHow to simplify to decrease decision fatigueThe impact of routines and resetsMinimizing how much stuff we need to manage, clean, clean around, maintain, etc.How you can begin your decluttering journeyHow it's not just about the STUFF but also about your thoughts, time and energyLiving WITHIN your capacityThe impact of just a 1% shiftand more!Bonus Challenge:See if you can hear when my stomach growls and count how many times I say "I love that so much!" Enjoy :)Emily McDermottEmily McDermott is a wife, mother of two energetic boys, and simplicity seeker. She is also the host of the top 1% globally ranked podcast Moms Overcoming Overwhelm, where she helps moms declutter their homes, heads, and hearts. Emily enjoys writing poetry, dancing, and eating peanut butter out of the jar.Connect with Emily:Moms Overcoming Overwhelm Podcast Simple by EmmyEmily on InstagramEmily on FacebookFacebook Group - Decluttering Tips and Support for Overwhelmed MomsFreebie: 5 Mindset Shifts To Help you Let Go of Clutter Contact E-mail: [email protected] Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Does PMDD make it really tough to be around other people?Do you deal with feelings of isolation and anxiety in even the simplest of interactions? I used to hide from my landscapers, no joke!Classic kindness helps us to take a step back and see the common humanity we all share. You are not alone in your struggles. When you are reminded of this, it may feel a bit easier to navigate the challenging feelings that PMDD can stir up when we're interacting with others...even the ones we love!Check out today's featured meditation if you want to feel less like a self-conscious, anxious island unto yourself every time you get around another person.(Because, trust me, I've been there...and this one has really helped me!)Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Does your PMDD lead you feel isolated, alone and misunderstood around others...even with friends, family and colleagues? Do you suffer with social anxiety over chatting with a neighbor or making a routine phone call? Does feeling unseen, unheard, and sensitive to rejection cause tension between you and your partner?This is all super common in PMDD. I myself have experienced every one of these issues!Then, I found a mindfulness practice that helped me to feel less alone in my struggles and more compassionate with myself and with others. It leveled the 'playing field' in a way, because I no longer saw myself as uniquely broken and suffering. Over time, I was able to show up as myself around other people, without feeling so anxious and misunderstood!In this episode I share:The practice that helped me to  feel less anxious, different, and alone around others.How this practice helped me to show up as myself again, with more ease.I believe that you can get there too and I'll be sharing this guided meditation next week, before taking a holiday break!Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Do you feel the pressure to get back into the swing of things once you come back out of the luteal phase?  And then the burnout of going through the cycle--yet again--of feeling completely useless for 2 weeks and then trying to do it all, all at once, for the next 2 weeks?Do you fear giving yourself what you need in the follicular phase because you're afraid to fall behind even further?What if it was the other way around? What if honoring your needs all throughout your cycle could actually help your whole cycle to feel more stable, with fewer wild swings up and down?Join me as I explore this idea in this episode.Mentioned in the show:Interview with Chronic Illness Business Coach, Nikita WilliamsLEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM: Mindfulness for PMDDConnect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Hi friend,Let’s pause for a moment and set an intention to be kinder and more gentle with ourselves the next time PMDD tries to bring us down, with negative thoughts and feelings about ourselves and our PMDD experiences.Our relationship to our thoughts and feelings isn’t something that changes overnight. But if we can open the door–and our hearts–to responding just the tiniest bit differently, each time we feel that self-doubt or overwhelm or resentment come along, then we can start down a path of finding flexibility in how we respond to  uncomfortable emotions and that voice in our head.Join me for this brief mindfulness moment to set an intention for self-kindness.Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

How many things are you doing for your PMDD--to minimize your symptoms and optimize your health--and you STILL feel like you haven't found that sense of stability and flow with your PMDD that you're looking for? How long is your list of PMDD self-care tasks and you STILL feel exhausted and burned out by the emotional rollercoaster--and vicious cycle--that is PMDD? How many tools do you have in your PMDD toolbox and you STILL resent PMDD because you feel like it still has the upper hand?That is exactly how I felt. Until I had a thought:What if what I'm missing isn't another thing to DO but a different way of BEING?What if the thing I'm searching for is a MINDSET SHIFT? A new perspective on PMDD. A better relationship with my own PMDD experience. What if I could find a more sustainable way of living with the difficult thoughts and feelings brought on by PMDD?In this episode: I explain how mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Training have filled in the gap left behind by all the other treatments and self-management tools I've tried and continue to use. I talk about how that is when I really started to feel better in my life with PMDD.I share how you can take that very first step toward training your brain to get better at feeling.Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Have you ever felt like PMDD has thrown your sense of self into chaos? It's not uncommon, especially when PMDD disrupts our lives and prevents us from being the person we once knew. PMDD can alter the course of our lives–sometimes dramatically–and it can make us feel unrecognizable to ourselves.I recently came across some valuable insights from mindfulness teachers Shamash Alidina and David Treleaven, that resonated with me in a BIG way. So, in this episode, I reflect on some of their teachings on identity, ego, and values, and how they can apply to the identity crisis we can experience in a life with PMDD.In this episode, you’ll learn:How reframing your identity in terms of underlying values, can give you a broader guide for your life, allowing you to honor your identity and values, even during PMDD's toughest moments.How mindfulness can help you separate yourself from your struggles with PMDD.How ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Training) can help you expand your sense of self, so that you don’t feel like you’ve lost yourself, or become unrecognizable, when PMDD throws you a curveball.I’ll also teach you an exercise for turning your sense of identity around, so that you can move from pinning your identity to what you do (which might be limited by PMDD) and instead shape your identity around the values that are important to you and what you want your life to look like.When I did this exercise I found more openness and spaciousness in my life and discovered that I am still me, at the core, no matter my capacity for a specific job or activity. Even on the toughest PMDD days, I'm still me.And you are still you!References:David Treleaven Shamash AlidinaConnect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Hey friend,If you've been feeling consumed by your PMDD, I'm here to tell you that YOU ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN YOUR SYMPTOMS, thoughts and feelings!I've been there, where PMDD felt like my whole identity. But I want to encourage you to consider that you are more significant than just your PMDD experience.While it can be easy to feel engulfed by your symptoms, PMDD DOES NOT DEFINE YOU.Fusing our identity to our PMDD experience might sound like this:'I'm depressed. I'm anxious. I'm a terrible parent. I'm a terrible partner. I'm incompetent. I have PMDD.'In this episode, you'll hear how we are limiting ourselves with this negative self-talk and by identifying with our PMDD.And I'll share with you some exercises to mindfully turn that around! I also reflect on the practical side of mindfulness and its profound impact on living with PMDD. You might be relieved to hear that mindfulness can be as functional as learning to work within our capacity and our priorities, and making meaningful changes to our daily routines as a result.Remember, Mindfulness for PMDD isn't an instant fix; it's a practice, and a step-by-step journey to retrain your mind. Stick with it and you just might discover a renewed perspective on your true self. I believe in you!Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Join me on a transformative journey as we welcome the profoundly inspirational Mandy Rother, a functional dietitian with an abundance of personal and professional experience. Gifted with a unique perspective, Mandy brilliantly intertwines data, scientific evidence, mindfulness, and intuition to guide her holistic approach to Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) management. Our enlightening conversation delves into the significance of understanding cravings, luteal phase changes, and cycle syncing, while highlighting the connection between mindful and intuitive eating and PMDD.Navigating through Mandy's personal PMDD journey, we shed light on the battle of balancing the need for rest with the urgency to stay active. We explore the potency of micro moments and the extraordinary impact of minor alterations on our overall wellbeing. By tuning into our body's signals, we can foster a healthier relationship with food, thus creating physical stability that makes trusting our bodies simpler and more intuitive. This empowering conversation will underscore the importance of recognizing our needs before reaching a crisis point.Tackling the often tricky subject of food cravings and appetite changes during the menstrual cycle, we examine how these fluctuations can significantly relate to PMDD and often lead to feelings of shame and perfectionism. Unveiling the science behind emotional eating and PMDD, we discover the neural pathways developed when we use food as a coping mechanism for our emotions. This candid conversation will inspire you to take small steps towards noticing and addressing your needs, building trust in your body, and ultimately breaking the cycle of emotional eating. Join Mandy and me as we explore the often uncharted terrain of PMDD, offering fresh insights and practical advice to aid in managing your symptoms.Connect with Mandy (website / e-book / contact form)References:- Wild Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer (book)- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder and eating disorders- Association of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Eating Behaviors Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional StudyConnect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

What if living with a chronic illness was not an obstacle, but a catalyst for your entrepreneurial success? Join me for an insightful conversation with award-winning business and mindset coach Nikita Williams, who has mastered the art of integrating mindfulness into her coaching practice, despite battling a chronic illness. Nikita's journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of pacing oneself, tapping into personal needs, and overcoming self-doubt and confidence issues.This episode explores the journey of entrepreneurship through the lens of chronic illness, and how mindfulness and intentional choices can maintain the flow of our nervous system. Nikita shares her strategies for intentional decision-making, alignment with goals, and the art of slowing down. Discover how Nikita has empowered her clients to gain clarity and alignment with their goals, and how a mindful approach to chronic illness can be an unexpected leverage to reach our objectives.We also delve into the power of acceptance and self-compassion when dealing with chronic illness. Nikita opens up about her self-care practices, like tapping, essential oils, and breath work, and how they have helped her manage her chronic illness. Learn how to shift your perspective towards acceptance, foster self-compassion, and honor your needs, all while managing a successful entrepreneurial journey. Tune in and get inspired to strike a balance between health and entrepreneurship, no matter what challenges life throws at you.To connect with Nikita:Thrive with Nikita (website)Crafted to Thrive (podcast)Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Does irritability and overwhelm lead you to feel like you're spinning out of control in the luteal phase? You can try this quick check-in–with yourself and your surroundings–to put on the breaks when you’re spiraling. It’s totally normal if it’s hard to remember that you wanted to give it a try when you are IN IT with big feelings. So, you can also practice this one when you just need a brain break (hello brain fog!) or a little time out. Practice during our good days can make it easier to access these tools in our not-so-good days.***This episode is a meditation; so, if you're driving or otherwise distracted, you may want to save it for when you can find a moment of comfortable stillness.***Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

After years of struggling with the debilitating effects of PMDD, I'm sharing my personal journey and the powerful impact mindfulness has had on my life. In this episode, I explain why I encourage a multi-pronged approach to managing PMDD, with mindfulness at the forefront. Join me as I dive into the profound connection between stress and PMDD, backed by insightful research conducted by clinical psychologist, Liisa Hantsoo, Ph.D. Discover why mindfulness is an essential tool for managing PMDD and how it can help reduce symptoms such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, and irritability. Explore the potential benefits of incorporating mindfulness into your life and learn how it can fill the gaps in PMDD resources.References:Stress Response in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) - Dr. Liisa Hantsoo PhDMindfulness-based stress reduction for people with chronic diseasesMindfulness-based Stress Reduction as a Promising Intervention for Amelioration of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder SymptomsWorld Health Organization Adds Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Into The ICD-11Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

Welcome PMDD Warrior! In this episode, you’ll hear how I struggled as a new mom—with PTSD and PMDD—and how mindfulness helped me move from hopelessness and self-loathing to acceptance and self-compassion.PMDD is an outsized brain response to normal menstrual-cycle hormone changes (not a hormone imbalance), and symptoms often show up in the luteal phase.Hear how mindfulness was an important part of my PMDD self-management toolbox before helping me make peace with PMDD and love myself just as I am.And you’ll discover how mindfulness can help you:Settle your nervous system when that PMDD luteal rage or PMDD anxiety sets inLean into your PMDD so you can honor your needs without feeling bad about it or less-thanSeparate your identity from PMDD so you can rediscover yourself and the possibilities for your lifePerhaps even experience a mindset shift, so you can replace feelings of resentment and anger with acceptance for life with PMDDI’ll also get into future plans to share Mindfulness for PMDD–as a trauma-informed mindfulness teacher–with all of YOU, so we can all live better with PMDD.FAQWhat is PMDD? PMDD is an outsized brain response to normal cycle hormone changes, with symptoms that commonly show up during luteal phase.Can mindfulness help PMDD rage or anxiety? Mindfulness can help settle the nervous system and reduce spirals—alongside other supports in your PMDD toolbox.Is mindfulness a substitute for medical care? No—always seek medical support when needed.References: IAPMD - International Association for Premenstrual DisordersNext listens (recommended)Episode 2: Managing PMDD Stress with MindfulnessEpisode 3: Meditation to STOP the SpiralEpisode 6: Turn that nasty self-talk aroundConnect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane

In this podcast I’ll discuss issues related to PMDD, through the lens of mindfulness and meditation. So, if you have–or think you might have–PMDD and you’re curious about how mindfulness can help you manage your symptoms and maybe even experience a mindset shift, this podcast is for you.Check out the trailer to learn about the kind of topics I'll cover and guests I'll have on!Connect with me!DM me on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmddFREE Meditations for PMDD for You from Me! (Insight Timer)Thanks for listening! <3If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe.And if you know someone with PMDD, please share this podcast.And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. xoDiane