Disapproval is something most of us feel from ourselves or from others on a consistent basis. What if you could feel the disapproval and still feel confident and be at peace with yourself? What if disapproval doesn't have to derail your day or keep you from moving forward with your goals? Today's episode outlines why it's hard to feel disapproval and a formula for working through disapproval when it comes. A printable episode guide is available here. 

Take Aways

• Disapproval is hard because we naturally desire to be "liked."
• It also feels yucky when we initially feel disapproved of so we try to get out of that yucky feeling as fast as possible. 
• You may also be worried about a possible long-term impact their disapproval could mean for you. That makes it complicated to know how to respond.
• Disapproval of yourself comes up often because our brain is consistently looking for the bad and judging. 
• Try to see the other side of things when you notice your brain offering negative after negative thoughts.
• When you're feeling disapproved of it is NOT a good time for introspection.
• Formula to allowing disapproval: 

1. Recognize that you're feeling disapproved of and let yourself feel uncomfortable. 
2. Pause. Hold back on lashing out immediately or running away from the situation.
3. Clarify. Fill in the blank: This doesn't mean that ______.
4. Clarify. Fill in the blank: It could mean that ______.
5. You'll feel a bit better.
6. Decide what to do or say next. 

Visit Heidi Bradford Coaching to find out how to work with Heidi.

Download your "5 Ways To Feeling Better with PMDD" here.

5 Keys to Living Well with PMDD

• Educate yourself
• Get support
• Try things
• Track your symptoms (and period)
• Accept grace

Heidi's 5 Part Method for Getting Rid of PMDD

1. Mindset
2. Supplements
3. Tracking
4. Defaults
5. Personal development: Set and Achieve Goals

Resources

• Semaine PMS and Period Support Supplements

Music

• Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
• Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Learn how and why it's a good idea to push back on some of your thoughts.

Take Aways

• It's common to believe thoughts that come to mind.
• You don't HAVE to believe all the thoughts that come naturally.
• We CHOOSE to believe things.
• Reasons to push back on thoughts: they're keeping you stuck, they're creating confusion, they're in the way of achieving a goal, & for fun.
• Examples of thoughts you could push back on: I always say yes. Seeing food makes me want it. It's a pattern for me to... I can't hear God. (And lots more.)
• How to push back is... GENTLY. Offer "Maybe," "Sometimes," "And...," "Actually," or "Not really."

Visit Heidi Bradford Coaching to find out how to work with Heidi.

Download your "5 Ways To Feeling Better with PMDD" here.

5 Keys to Living Well with PMDD

• Educate yourself
• Get support
• Try things
• Track your symptoms (and period)
• Accept grace

Heidi's 5 Part Method for Getting Rid of PMDD

1. Mindset
2. Supplements
3. Tracking
4. Defaults
5. Personal development: Set and Achieve Goals

Resources

• Semaine PMS and Period Support Supplements

Music

• Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
• Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

A concept I've been pondering is living in expectation vs living with agreements. Part one of this episode is a review of this concept as explained by Steve Chandler. Part 2 is applying this to our relationship with ourself. I think we have a lot of joy to experience by shifting to a life of agreements instead of a life full of expectations.

Take Aways

• Expectations are toxic. They lead to disappointment. They invite disappointment.
• Agreements are a better approach. They invite creativity and to both parties being satisfied. Both parties having a say.
• Agreements are stronger than expectations.
• C.S. Lewis stated, " It comes the very moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back in, listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in and so on all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and fretting. Coming in out of the wind." 
• The idea that things won't get done unless we have expectations is incorrect. The freedom we feel being untethered from expectation leads to productivity, fun, and feeling surprised.
• Here's the audio talk by Steve Chandler that this podcast episode is based on: https://app.box.com/s/8e86836b244bee19323a

Visit Heidi Bradford Coaching to find out how to work with Heidi.

Download your "5 Ways To Feeling Better with PMDD" here.

5 Keys to Living Well with PMDD

• Educate yourself
• Get support
• Try things
• Track your symptoms (and period)
• Accept grace

Heidi's 5 Part Method for Getting Rid of PMDD

1. Mindset
2. Supplements
3. Tracking
4. Defaults
5. Personal development: Set and Achieve Goals

Resources

• Semaine PMS and Period Support Supplements

Music

• Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
• Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

The past year has been a roller coaster of emotions for Heidi. This episode is a recap of the year from an emotional/mental health perspective. Heidi shares what was working, what stopped working, and how she is approaching her mental and emotional health challenges now.

Take Aways

• Heidi took new medicine that resulted in restless legs.
• That experience SCARED HER and led her to realize she was keeping medicine as a fall back, which was hindering her from doing all she could otherwise to handle her challenges.
• Tune into yourself. Heidi has always preferred things naturally... she'll move forward with this as a foundation.
• Heidi is not going to use prescription medicine for emotional struggles.
• She will continue to meet with a homeopathic doctor and research natural ways to handle her mental health challenges.
• Heidi will continue to research and experiment with things to find more ways to help herself.
• She is also going to START WITH JESUS. To humble herself and be open to God's grace and His ideas for her healing.

Visit Heidi Bradford Coaching to find out how to work with Heidi.

Download your "5 Ways To Feeling Better with PMDD" here.

5 Keys to Living Well with PMDD

• Educate yourself
• Get support
• Try things
• Track your symptoms (and period)
• Accept grace

Heidi's 5 Part Method for Getting Rid of PMDD

1. Mindset
2. Supplements
3. Tracking
4. Defaults
5. Personal development: Set and Achieve Goals

Resources

• Semaine PMS and Period Support Supplements

Music

• Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
• Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Heidi discusses ways that being aware of your actions, words, and behavior can bring a feeling of freedom. She also shares how accepting your situation brings peace.

Take Aways

• As far as Heidi is concerned, there is not ONE "cure" for every woman that has PMDD.
• Having PMDD offers an amazing opportunity for personal awareness, personal growth, and trust in yourself.
• Awareness is noticing the words going through your mind,  noticing the words coming out of your mouth, and noticing the actions that you take at different times. 
• Awareness can lead to a feeling of freedom.
• Acceptance can be a letting go feeling or a feeling of embracing a limitation or hardship.
•  Sometimes we are afraid to accept what is going on because we believe if we "accept it" we won't take action to change it. That's a myth. 
• Acceptance  can lead you to truly, truly believe that it's not your fault, that you are feeling the way you are, and help you become open to getting help.
• Acceptance can lead to a feeling of peace.
•  The main benefit of awareness is that you can take steps to feel a little bit better by making small changes and by setting goals and using small steps to achieve them.

Visit Heidi Bradford Coaching to find out how to work with Heidi.

Download your "5 Ways To Feeling Better with PMDD" here.

5 Keys to Living Well with PMDD

• Educate yourself
• Get support
• Try things
• Track your symptoms (and period)
• Accept grace

Heidi's 5 Part Method for Getting Rid of PMDD

1. Mindset
2. Supplements
3. Tracking
4. Defaults
5. Personal development: Set and Achieve Goals

Resources

• Semaine PMS and Period Support Supplements

Music

• Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
• Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Heidi covers the last part (part 5) of Getting Rid of PMDD: Personal Development. Personal development (a.k.a. personal enrichment) is important because it is YOU voting for YOU. It is an outward manifestation that your desires, your opinions, and your interests matter. By investing time in doing things that you enjoy, you remind yourself that there are things you still like--even when you feel depressed.

Take Aways

• 4 Areas: Spiritual, Intellectual, Physical, and Social
• Spiritual examples: praying, music, keeping a gratitude journal, studying scripture, attending church, meditation
• Intellectual examples: take a sewing class, choose a book to read on a specific topic (money, health, career), listen to a podcast, research a topic of interest to you
• Physical examples: join a group exercise class, decide to learn to do a push-up, choose a nutrition goal 
• Social: say "yes" to going out with friends, spend undivided attention time with loved ones, join a Bible study group
• No rules to personal development!
• It's okay to start a book, leave it, come back to it, leave it.
• Warning: If you're tempted to beat yourself up because you stopped a goal, STOP. REDIRECT.
• Volunteering in your church or in your community can be fulfilling.

Visit Heidi Bradford Coaching to find out how to work with Heidi.

Download your "5 Ways To Feeling Better with PMDD" here.

5 Keys to Living Well with PMDD

• Educate yourself
• Get support
• Try things
• Track your symptoms (and period)
• Accept grace

Heidi's 5 Part Method for Getting Rid of PMDD

1. Mindset
2. Supplements
3. Tracking
4. Defaults
5. Personal development: Set and Achieve Goals

Resources

• Semaine PMS and Period Support Supplements

Music

• Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
• Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Today we discuss what defaults are, why they're important, how to properly use them, and examples that work well for Heidi. Listen to the podcast for examples. 🙂

Heidi always love to connect with listeners. Send her an email anytime at [email protected] 

Take Aways

-A default in this context is:  is a pre-selected option that you choose to do if there is not an alternative that you want more. 

-Creating defaults leads to more freedom. 

-Having defaults saves time and energy. It saves your decision making power for other decisions.

-Defaults keep hopelessness at bay. They reduce confusion, distraction, and uncertainty.

-Defaults free our mind up to consider other things.

-Choose one default in each of these areas: food, housekeeping, quiet time, exercise, sleep, friendships and/or relationships, and self care.

🚩 You are using defaults incorrectly if you feel irritated because you weren't able to do your default. You are likely treating it like a routine. 

-A default can't be interrupted because it is simply a pre-selected option. If there is an alternative that you want more, DO IT. 

Visit Heidi Bradford Coaching to find out how to work with Heidi.

Download your "5 Ways To Feeling Better with PMDD" here.

5 Keys to Living Well with PMDD

• Educate yourself
• Get support
• Try things
• Track your symptoms (and period)
• Accept grace

Heidi's 5 Part Method for Getting Rid of PMDD

1. Mindset
2. Supplements
3. Tracking
4. Defaults
5. Personal development: Set and Achieve Goals

Resources

• Semaine PMS and Period Support Supplements

Music

• Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
• Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Join Heidi to discover a basic way of tracking signs and symptoms you experience and an advanced way of tracking signs and symptoms. Record on paper, in a planner, on your phone, and/or using an app. 

Remember to record physical and emotional signs and symptoms. They are interconnected and influence one another.

Take Aways

• Why you should track your signs and symptoms
• Basic tracking includes: recording the date you begin your period, how many days you bleed, your mood, and any discord you experience in relationships.
• Advanced tracking includes: recording the basics listed above + basal body temperature, level of sexual desire, the level of sensitivity you experience about others' comments and actions, and more detailed mood recording.
• Use time blocks when recording mood
• You need to know your body!
• When you know your body, you can put logic with emotion and emotion with logic.
• Tracking gives you more power and control of your reaction to things.
• Tracking gives a more concrete idea of what IS happening rather than what we THINK IS happening. 
• Tracking is not accurate if done more than a day later. 
• Logic can help when we are overly emotional.
• Emotion can help when we are overly logical. 

Visit Heidi Bradford Coaching to find out how to work with Heidi.

Download your "5 Ways To Feeling Better with PMDD" here.

5 Keys to Living Well with PMDD

• Educate yourself
• Get support
• Try things
• Track your symptoms (and period)
• Accept grace

Heidi's 5 Part Method for Getting Rid of PMDD

1. Mindset
2. Supplements
3. Tracking
4. Defaults
5. Personal development: Set and Achieve Goals

Resources

• Semaine PMS and Period Support Supplements

Music

• Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
• Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Are you stuck not knowing what supplements to try to get rid of your pmdd symptoms? This is a great episode for you! Heidi shares the supplements, vitamins, and medicines she has tried over the past 3 years to get rid of her symptoms. Each woman's body is unique so trial and error is key for success, but listening to what has helped other women is great for a starting point and each time you want to try something new.

Take Aways

• Don't fall for "There's no price too high for good health." trap! 
• Consider these before trying a new supplement: monetary price, emotional cost, physical cost (risks/benefits), and time & effort cost.
• Semaine Health's PMS and Period Support capsules have always and continue to relieve Heidi's cramps and improve her mood. 
• Fluoxetine (an SSRI prescription drug) helped alleviate mood issues for Heidi in the past but has not been helping recently.
• Ollie brand children's probiotic and multivitamin gummies have helped Heidi's stomach feel better.
• Zyrtec and Pepcid AC together have helped Heidi and other women. See this Newsweek Article for more about this.
• Sudafed has helped Heidi's mood be stable. (pseudoephedrine)
• Heidi also worked with a wellness clinic for 6 months last year and took 14 supplements they recommended based on blood work along with chiropractic multiple times a week to improve overall wellness.
• NEVER GIVE UP! 🙂

Visit Heidi Bradford Coaching to find out how to work with Heidi.

Download your "5 Ways To Feeling Better with PMDD" here.

5 Keys to Living Well with PMDD

• Educate yourself
• Get support
• Try things
• Track your symptoms (and period)
• Accept grace

Heidi's 5 Part Method for Getting Rid of PMDD

1. Mindset
2. Supplements
3. Tracking
4. Defaults
5. Personal development: Set and Achieve Goals

Resources

• Semaine PMS and Period Support Supplements

Music

• Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
• Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

This and the following four episodes are a series of podcasts explaining Heidi's five part method to get rid of PMDD. This episode is about Part 1: Mindset.

Heidi's 5 Part Method for Getting Rid of PMDD

1. Mindset
2. Supplements
3. Tracking
4. Defaults
5. Personal Development

Take Aways

• This method is to be used continually.
• When you find mindsets that help you, incorporate them more into your life.
• Common worries/thoughts that a woman with PMS or PMDD are... We're going to get into a fight. I'm going to be irritated. I wish I didn't get so irritated. I wish we wouldn't fight. It shouldn't be this way. I shouldn't be this way. He shouldn't be this way.
• Those thoughts lead to anger, irritation, fear, and possibly hopelessness. 
• From there you don't take proactive actions. It's a "wait and watch it happen" game.
• Another mindset: This is how I am. Deal with it.
• That approach leads to a feeling of indifference and stubbornness.
• The result of actions taken from this attitude is ragged relationships.
• The thought that works best for Heidi during PMDD time: I need more help and support.
• Humility and confidence come from this attitude.
• You take actions that are proactive from this place.
• Actions that you can be proud of (like showing restraint in conversation) follow this.
• The result is that you are able to handle PMDD and eventually get rid of PMDD.

Visit Heidi Bradford Coaching to find out how to work with Heidi.

Download your "5 Ways To Feeling Better with PMDD" here.

5 Keys to Living Well with PMDD

• Educate yourself
• Get support
• Try things
• Track your symptoms (and period)
• Accept grace

Heidi's 5 Part Method for Getting Rid of PMDD

1. Mindset
2. Supplements
3. Tracking
4. Defaults
5. Personal development: Set and Achieve Goals

Resources

• Semaine PMS and Period Support Supplements

Music

• Music- Island Breeze by Surf House Productions | https://surf-house-productions.bandcamp.com
• Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com