Are you and your partner struggling to CONCEIVE a child? Are you experiencing explained or unexplained FERTILITY CHALLENGES? Are you feeling consumed by the trauma of not being able to progress in your lives? Are you and/or your partner experiencing turbulence in your relationship due to the effects of fertility challenges on you individually and/or as a couple???
If the answer to any of these questions is YES, then I can help you!!!
Being told at the age of 25 that I would never be able to conceive a child naturally, I have personal and first hand experience over 13 years of living with fertility challenges. My personal journey has consisted of hormonal imbalances, PCOS, ovarian cysts and ruptured cysts, endometriosis, tubal damage, conception issues, miscarriages, successful and unsuccessful IVF treatments, stress, anxiety and trauma due to fertility challenges and the associated pressures on relationships. One of the BIGGEST factors I experienced was becoming completely disconnected, lost and displaced in my relationship with myself, my mind and body.
I would love to share with you the incredible Life Changes that I have brought into my life over the last number of years, which have resulted in my husband and I having two beautiful healthy children through IVF treatments and to having recently conceived naturally a third little miracle which we will be welcoming into our family very soon!
A complete Life Style overhaul consisting of deep and restoring Mindfulness, Self Compassion, Self-Care, Meditation, Essential Oils, Yoga, Walking, Journaling and so much more has enabled me to accept my fertility challenges, to meet them head on, to change my mental thinking and associated physical symptoms around these fertility challenges, to regain respect, love and compassion for my body and to build a new confidence with the internal strength within my mind and body.
The tools and techniques that I can teach you and/or your partner can truly TRANSFORM every level of your lives, including your MENTAL, EMOTIONAL and PHYSICAL health, which in turn creates a better overall BALANCE in your life.
So how can I help you?
I have devised this brand new Mindfulness and Self Compassion for Fertility Challenges Online Programme, which is yours for life upon purchase. In this programme, I give a general Mindfulness and Self Compassion teaching and also a specific, more focused and detailed Mindfulness and Self Compassion teaching specifically for you and/or your partner on your fertility journey. (Click on the Curriculum Tab above for a detailed look at what my programme consists of).
I will teach you and/or your partner how to look at, assess and improve every element of your current life style in order to help you both to become the best version of yourselves individually and as a couple. This will include looking at:
- How to repair and heal from the impact that your explained or unexplained fertility challenges has had on you individually and as a couple (Please note that my teachings are not similar in any way to Counseling sessions for individuals or couples. I teach people how to meet themselves where they are currently at and how to improve all elements of their mental, emotional and physical well-being in order to create more balance, healing and repair in their everyday lives. From my own personal experience, this in what can lead to a couple conceiving, maintaining and delivering a successful pregnancy).
- How Mindfulness, Self Compassion, Meditation, Essential Oils, Diet and other lifestyle choices can help to support overall health, repair and recovery and can bring your mind, body and emotions back to a state of balance, of equilibrium. There is growing research that suggest that such mind body therapies can help a person to come out of a state of flight, fight or freeze and back to a level of homeostasis in the mind and body. When we are experiencing high levels of stress, anxiety and trauma (as seen in cases of fertility challenges) our bodies go into a threatened state of flight, fight or freeze. When this happens, some of the systems in our body can shut down, such as our reproductive system (which is why we can get hormonal imbalances, irregular menstrual cycles, PCOS, fertility challenges etc). Again, from my personal experience, mind body therapies do work when you introduce and practice them consistently.
- How your thoughts and fears around your fertility challenges can consume or hi-jack your everyday living. I can teach you how to recognise these thoughts and their associated physical symptoms and sensations, how to label these thoughts and how to use Mindfulness and Self Compassion tools and techniques to be able to live more comfortably alongside your fertility challenges. Here we will talk about how labeling our thoughts can help us to recognise the experience we are having and can help us to return to our present moment, via an anchor, such as your breath or any of our 5 senses. I will teach you how to become more aware of when your mind is wandering, when you are caught in a storm of emotions and how to bring your attention back to the present moment.
- How your diet and sleep patterns play a crucial role in improving your overall health and well-being. I spent over 3 years having elevated inflammation levels in my blood and unable to get them to return to a normal level. It wasn’t until I looked into my eating, my food choices and my sleep patterns that these inflammation levels returned to normal. I made vast changes and exclusions to my diet and introduced alternatives that helped my body and internal blood markers return to a more balanced and normal state. This had a positive affect on my PCOS in that my hormonal system came back into balance.
- How your work / life / social support circles can hinder or impede your stress and anxiety levels. I spent some time looking at this area of my life and was able to establish what situations were complimenting my mental and emotional health and what areas were pulling from my overall health. I have slowly removed any negative or stressful working patterns, life style choices and people from my close circle or support network. I made a conscious decision to protect my own health and well-being and this meant choosing who and what elements of my old life had to be removed so that I could create the optimum healing, health and well-being avenues for me in my everyday life. I will also teach you of the importance of a consistent, morning routine to set you up for the best possible coping methods and reactions to your day ahead.
- How making time for you, for self-care, for whatever makes you feel fully connected to yourself, to your life and fills you full of positive adrenaline is so critical for a balanced approach to living. I slowly learned that I do deserve to have time to look after my mental, emotional and physical needs. I learned that it is not selfish to take time out of my day to rest, to exercise, to listen to a mediation, to go for a walk, to meet friends and so on. I had developed such a bad relationship with what I described as my ‘broken body’ that I didn’t feel that my body or me as a person deserved this restoring time. I thought ‘what was point in looking after myself when my body was broke and wouldn’t do what it should naturally be able to do?” How wrong was I!! Creating this time for self-care was a crucial part of my overall repair and recovery.
- How realising that you are NOT ALONE in your fertility journey can help you start to process, accept and live with and through the fertility challenges that you are experiencing. For me personally, this realisation of common humanity and that my husband and I were not alone on our journey gave me great strength and comfort in dealing with our fertility challenges.
What do I need to do to start this programme?
Once you click on the ‘Enroll’ or ‘Buy Now’ button on this course, you have committed to changing your life and/or your partners life in the most positive way. You will receive an email with the link to log into the online programme, using the credentials that you used when setting up your account. You can then get started with the programme straight away and can complete each lesson and module in your time, at your own pace.
It is important that you and/or your partner bring an open mind to this programme. One of the Essential Attitudes to Mindfulness is ‘Beginners Mind’ and this is a critical element on your fertility journey. Beginners mind means that we don’t focus on past trauma’s, hurts, pains etc We look at how you are feeling in the very moment we are experiencing, in the present moment.
It is important that you and/or your partner are willing to be kind, caring and compassionate to yourselves and each other as you embrace on this journey of healing, repair and restoration. In my personal experience with fertility challenges, the pressure and strain that infertility can put on a relationship is huge. My husband and I went through very difficult and turbulent times as a couple and it wasn’t until we adopted and implemented a Mindful attitude and approach to our individual and collective lives, that our relationship could start to heal and repair. It is therefore important that both individuals are nurtured, cared for and listened to by each other.
What are the guaranteed outcomes from under-taking this programme?
I can personally guarantee you that if you fully embrace the content and teachings from my programme that you will have all the tools and techniques that you need to create a more BALANCED, STABLE and HEALTHY life for you and/or your partner.
You will learn to fully embrace and respect yourself, your body and each other. You will learn to be naturally more compassionate towards yourself and each other which helps to create a greater understanding of where each of you are at in your mental and emotional well-being on your fertility journey and in any present moment.
I can guarantee you that by committing to yourself and each other to implement this amazing way of living into your everyday lives, that you will feel the most balanced, calm, energised and so connected to yourself than you may have ever felt. You will be able to realise that your THOUGHTS, FEELINGS and EMOTIONS are ok and are all a part of you and your experience but the key is that you will have learned different coping tools and techniques to deal with these elements and to help you and/or your partner to become the very best version of yourselves!!!
My Hopes for You and/or Your Partner!
From my own personal journey with fertility challenges, I know and have experienced the pain and suffering that is often associated with the journey.
In my programme, I will guide you and/or your partner through the Mindfulness, Self Compassion and Meditation tools and techniques that I introduced into my life and that I use every single day in my own life. These elements can be introduced or tailored by you and/or your partner to suit your own individual needs.
By the end of this programme and having implemented this Mindful way of living into your individual and collective lives, you and/or your partner will be feeling the most balanced and at ease than may have felt for some time! You will feel more in control of your thoughts, feelings and emotions and will be confident that you have a set of Mindfulness and Self Care tools in your toolbox to cope with whatever you are faced with in your daily life.
As with my own personal situation, it was only when I created and was living this relaxed, less stressful, Mindful way every day that I restored balance and inner and outer health into my life. It was at this time when I conceived our natural pregnancy and am currently fully embracing every moment of this blessing. For me, it seemed that only when I got my mind, body and soul into the best possible shape it’s ever been in that I was ready for the miracle of conception and pregnancy to occur itself, despite all the medical findings and diagnosis!!!
Curriculum
- 8 Sections
- 74 Lessons
- 6 Weeks
- Welcome and Programme IntroductionMeet Leona and find out more about her personal journey with Fertility Challenges over 13 years. Here Leona will describe to you how she has designed, composed and structured this brand new Mindfulness and Self Compassion for Fertility Challenges Programme. Here, she will share with you the incredible 'life changes' that she introduced into her life through Mindfulness and Self Compassion to aid and support her on her fertility journey.2
- Module 1: How can Mindfulness help with Fertility Challenges?In this module you will receive a general teaching on Mindfulness and also a more focused teaching on how Mindfulness can help you in your daily life while living with explained or unexplained Fertility Challenges. This module also includes some supportive video teachings from external sources and some relaxing meditations, which you can listen to as often as you wish. I have also included one of my published articles called 'EVERYTHING we need is already WITHIN us', which is a lovely read about our own internal strength and resources, even though we mightn't think we have this strength and courage within us sometimes.10
- 3.1What is Mindfulness?10 Minutes
- 3.2Essential Elements or Attitudes of Mindfulness23 Minutes
- 3.3Jon Kabat Zinn – Essential Attitudes to Mindfulness27 Minutes
- 3.4Meditation: Body Scan Meditation (by Leona McDonnell)20 Minutes
- 3.5Why practice Mindfulness? What are the benefits of practicing Mindfulness?14 Minutes
- 3.6How to practice Mindfulness?16 Minutes
- 3.7Why practice Mindfulness for Fertility Challenges?24 Minutes
- 3.8Meditation: Acceptance and Awareness Meditation (by Leona McDonnell)14 Minutes
- 3.9Article: EVERYTHING we need is already WITHIN us (by Leona McDonnell)10 Minutes
- 3.10Module 1: Completion Comments2 Minutes
- Module 2: How to use Mindfulness to calm Invasive and Ruminating Thoughts in Fertility ChallengesIn this module we will look at the concept of 'The Monkey Mind' in Mindfulness. We will learn how to calm and tame the busy Monkey Mind. We will also learn about how 'Labelling our Thoughts' can help us to stop Invasive and Ruminating Thoughts from constantly playing around and around in our minds. Again, I have included some lovely meditations for you to listen to whenever you like. I have also included one of my published articles 'Our Breath as our Anchor' which describes how we can use our breath to anchor and connect ourselves to our present moment experience in a calm and comfortable manner.11
- 4.1Module 2: Outline4 Minutes
- 4.2Mindfulness and ‘The Monkey Mind’7 Minutes
- 4.3Taming ‘The Monkey Mind’ with Mindfulness14 Minutes
- 4.4Meditation: Jon Kabat Zinn – Mindfulness as Pure Awareness10 Minutes
- 4.5Calming Invasive and Ruminating Thoughts by ‘Labelling our Thoughts’12 Minutes
- 4.6Ruminating Thoughts and ‘The Two Arrow Analogy’18 Minutes
- 4.7Imagining our ‘Thoughts are like Clouds’11 Minutes
- 4.8How to use Mindfulness to calm Invasive and Ruminating Thoughts in Fertility Challenges25 Minutes
- 4.9Meditation: Sky Like Mind (by Leona McDonnell)9 Minutes
- 4.10Article: Our Breath as our Anchor (by Leona McDonnell)10 Minutes
- 4.11Module 2: Completion Comments5 Minutes
- Module 3: Mindfulness for less Stress, Fear and Anxiety while experiencing Fertility Challenges and Neuroplasticity for changing your Brain's responses to Fertility StressorsIn this module, you will learn more about how Mindfulness can help you to 'Train your Brain' to become more mindful, calm and balanced in your everyday living. You will learn how Mindfulness can help to the reduce stress, fear and anxiety that often comes with experiencing Fertility Challenges. You will also learn how to build your resilence to cope with what you are faced with on your fertility journey. I have included some lovely meditations to listen to as often as you wish and one of my published articles, 'The Gardener of our Minds' as supportive reading.11
- 5.1Module 3: Outline4 Minutes
- 5.2Why practice Mindfulness for your Brain? How can it help to reduce Stress and Anxiety?13 Minutes
- 5.3How we can change our Brain’s responses to Fertility Stressors with Mindfulness and Neuroplasticity11 Minutes
- 5.4Meditation: Letting Go of the Past and the Future with the Suitcase Meditation (by Leona McDonnell)12 Minutes
- 5.5Reducing Stress through using Mindfulness9 Minutes
- 5.6Reducing Fear and Anxiety through Mindfulness17 Minutes
- 5.7Building Resilience to cope with Fertility Challenges11 Minutes
- 5.8Benefits of using Mindfulness to reduce Stress, Fear and Anxiety in Fertility Challenges24 Minutes
- 5.9Meditation: Mountain Meditation (by Jon Kabat-Zinn, adapted by Leona McDonnell)10 Minutes
- 5.10Article: The Gardener of our Minds (by Leona McDonnell)10 Minutes
- 5.11Module 3: Completion Comments3 Minutes
- Module 4: The Importance of Self Compassion and Empathy during Fertility ChallengesIn this module, you will learn about the importance of Self Compassion for yourself, your partner and your relationships during your Fertility Challenges. I have included some supportive video's from Kristen Neff on Self Compassion. I have also included some lovely meditations for your to listen to whenever you wish and one of my published articles, 'Spread your wings of Kindness, Compassion and Mindfulness for you to enjoy!12
- 6.1Module 4: Outline3 Minutes
- 6.2What is Compassion in Mindfulness?12 Minutes
- 6.3What is Self Compassion in Mindfulness?17 Minutes
- 6.4What is Kindness in Mindfulness?8 Minutes
- 6.5Meditation: Sending Loving Kind Wishes to yourself and others (by Leona McDonnell)10 Minutes
- 6.6How do we practice Self Compassion and become more Self Compassionate?10 Minutes
- 6.7Video’s_Kristen Neff on Self Compassion60 Minutes
- 6.8Why is Compassion, Self Compassion and Kindness so important in Fertility Challenges?23 Minutes
- 6.9Importance of Compassion, Self Compassion and Empathy in your Relationships while experiencing Fertility Challenges24 Minutes
- 6.10Meditation: Self Compassion Break (by Kristen Neff, adapted by Leona McDonnell)10 Minutes
- 6.11Article: Spread your wings of Kindness, Compassion and Mindfulness (by Leona McDonnell)10 Minutes
- 6.12Module 4: Completion Comments3 Minutes
- Module 5: Positive Mind Body Relationship and Life Style Choices while experiencing Fertility ChallengesIn this module, I have shared with you all the small but incredible 'Lifestyle Choices' I have introduced or changed in my own life through Mindfulness, Self Compassion and Wellness in general. You will learn how making small, incremental but consistent changes to your overall life can transform your mental, emotional and physical well-being in incredible ways. I have included some external supportive videos and audio's for you to enjoy and also one of my published articles, 'The Inner Child or The Little Me' as supportive reading.14
- 7.1Module 5: Outline4 Minutes
- 7.2Importance of Diet in Fertility Challenges: Identifying and Removing Toxins20 Minutes
- 7.3Lifestyle Choices and Fertility Challenges18 Minutes
- 7.4What is your ‘Social Circle’ and why is it so important?16 Minutes
- 7.5Work Life Balance: ‘Living to Work or Working to Live’?13 Minutes
- 7.6Importance of Exercise and Moving your Body14 Minutes
- 7.7Meditation: Breathing Light Meditation (by Leona McDonnell)10 Minutes
- 7.8Importance of a Solid and Consistent Morning Routine21 Minutes
- 7.9Using Essential Oils to support your Mental, Emotional and Physical Health26 Minutes
- 7.10‘Little Acorns grow into Big Oaks’13 Minutes
- 7.11Shauna Shapiro Video: The Power of Mindfulness – What you practice grows stronger14 Minutes
- 7.12Meditation: Embodied Metta (by Tara Brach)23 Minutes
- 7.13Article: The Inner Child or ‘The Little Me’ (by Leona McDonnell)10 Minutes
- 7.14Module 5: Completion Comments3 Minutes
- Module 6: Be-Friending, Respecting and Nurturing Yourself during Fertility ChallengesIn this module, you will learn how Gratitude, Mindfulness and Self Compassion can help you to become your own very best friend. You will learn how to respect, nurture and comfort yourself on your fertility journey and how to recognise and become more grateful for your amazing body and everything you have in your life. There are lovely meditations included for you to enjoy and I have also included one of my published articles, 'Filling your Cup of Sunshine' as supportive reading.11
- 8.1Module 6: Outline3 Minutes
- 8.2What is Gratitude? Why is it important in daily life?11 Minutes
- 8.3Why practice Gratitude? What are the benefits?9 Minutes
- 8.4How can we practice Gratitude daily?11 Minutes
- 8.5Using Gratitude to Be-Friend, Respect and Nurture yourself and your body during Fertility Challenges22 Minutes
- 8.6Meditation: Gratitude Meditation (by Leona McDonnell)10 Minutes
- 8.7How Gratitude, Mindfulness and Self Compassion can help us with Present Moment Awareness in our Body and Surroundings15 Minutes
- 8.8Importance of Restoring and Filling your ‘Cup of Sunshine’8 Minutes
- 8.9Meditation: R.A.I.N Meditation (by Tara Brach, adapted by Leona McDonnell)10 Minutes
- 8.10Article: Filling your ‘Cup of Sunshine’10 Minutes
- 8.11Module 6: Completion Comments3 Minutes
- Programme Overview / Completion CommentsIn this section, I have included some short closing comments and congratulations on completing my Mindfulness and Self Compassion for Fertility Challenges Programme. I thank you for investing in your own mental, emotional and physical health and well-being to aid and support yourself on your fertility journey. I have also included some general Mindfulness Reflective Questions for you to think about and an empowering supportive video on the Law of Attraction.3
