Meditation to STOP the Spiral

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.***

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And remember ... Stop. Take a breath. And observe. 

xo
Diane

Transcript

Title: Meditation to STOP the Spiral
Episode number: 3
Date: September 29, 2023

URL: https://mindfulnessforpmdd.buzzsprout.com/2253562/episodes/13674580-meditation-to-stop-the-spiral

Solo episode: Diane is the only speaker

INTRO

If you want to learn how you can live better with PMDD, this podcast was created for you. This is Mindfulness for PMDD with Diane. I'm Diane and I'm a registered dietitian and lactation consultant. I'm also a mom, a PMDD warrior. and a trauma-informed mindfulness teacher. And this is where I discuss topics related to PMDD through the lens of mindfulness and meditation and where I share all about how mindfulness has gotten me to a place of greater peace and acceptance with my PMDD.

I also chat with people who have helped and inspired me along the way so they can share their wisdom with you too. So let's get started.

SAFETY NOTE / DISCLAIMER

 The following is a mindfulness exercise or meditation. So if you're driving or otherwise distracted, I invite you to save it for a time when you can find yourself a moment of comfortable stillness and practice safely. If now's that time, let's get started.

A BRAIN BREAK FOR PMDD OVERWHELM

 Hi, friend. PMDD makes us more sensitive to stressors, which can make us feel a sense of overwhelm or being out of control among other symptoms. This is a mindful moment that can be useful when you're feeling overwhelmed but it can also be used when you are transitioning from one activity to another as a sort of mind reset, or when you're having to work through some luteal phase brain fog or other cognitive symptoms like forgetfulness, trouble concentrating.

Or, like for me, I often have difficulty understanding what I'm trying to read in the luteal phase. So this mindful moment can be a nice brain break. I also like this one because it can be very short. And it can be done almost any time, anywhere. So I might do this one in my car before or after running errands, or while waiting for my son to get out of school.

You could also do this one in a doctor's office, or before tucking into a meal.

MINDFULNESS MOMENT: MEDITATION TO STOP THE SPIRAL

So this one is called the STOP exercise, and it's an acronym where:
S stands for stop what you're doing
T stands for take a breath, or a few breaths
O stands for observe and notice what's going on in your body, your thoughts, your feelings, or looking around and noticing your surroundings, and
P stands for proceed

So if you like, I invite you to join me in this exercise now.

So, together, let's stop and take a moment to find some comfortable stillness.

When you're ready, and if it feels safe and comfortable for you, I invite you to take a breath in, and then a long, slow breath out. That's great.

Closing your eyes now, or if you'd prefer, keeping your eyes open, and just lowering your gaze to rest on a single spot in front of you and bringing your awareness inward.

I invite you to see if you notice what's happening inside your body. You might like to scan your body and notice any sensations you find.

Perhaps you might tune into the breath and without trying to change or control it, just observe the breath.

If you find any thoughts or feelings coming up, I invite you to see if you can just acknowledge them without judgment. Perhaps thanking your brain for doing what it's designed to do and trying to protect you.

And if it helps, you can even try placing a hand over your heart and just bringing your attention there.

I'll give you a couple moments to play around here.

Now opening the eyes, if they were closed, I invite you to observe your surroundings. What colors can you see?

Can you notice light? Shade? Patterns?

Can you notice any sounds around in a neutral way without feeling they are good or bad?

Do you notice any smells?

And finally, can you tune into the surface beneath you, perhaps the chair you are seated on, or the floor or the ground beneath your feet?

I'll give you another couple moments here.

And when you're ready, I invite you to begin to expand your attention. And slowly come back to proceed with your day.

Well done. Thank you for joining me in this mindful moment and I'll catch you in the next one.

OUTRO

 Thank you so much for listening. If you liked the show, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. For links to everything mentioned in this episode, you can check out the show notes and you can find me, Diane de Jesus on Instagram @mindfulnessforpmdd. Now I invite you to pause, take a breath and look around.