femme Book Club
Unveiling the Emotional Tapestry of Motherhood: A Journey Through "The Little Book of New Feelings: An A-Z of Warm Words for Every Motherhood Emotion
Hello, readers! Today, we embark on an exploration of the multifaceted journey of motherhood through the lens of "The Little Book of New Feelings: An A-Z of Warm Words for Every Motherhood Emotion" by Anna Mathur. Join us as we navigate the rich tapestry of emotions that accompany the transformative experience of becoming a mother. In "The Little Book of New Feelings," Anna Mathur offers an intimate and insightful exploration of the myriad emotions experienced by mothers. From the euphoria of holding a newborn for the first time to the overwhelm of sleepless nights and the bittersweet joy of watching a child grow, Mathur captures the essence of motherhood with warmth and authenticity. Organised alphabetically, each entry in the book delves into a specific emotion, providing readers with relatable anecdotes, practical tips, and words of comfort and encouragement. 1. Embracing the Complexity of Motherhood: Mathur celebrates the diverse range of emotions that accompany the journey of motherhood, acknowledging that it is not always a linear path but rather a mosaic of joy, love, doubt, fear, and everything in between. By normalising the full spectrum of maternal emotions, Mathur invites mothers to embrace their feelings with compassion and self-acceptance.2. Cultivating Emotional Resilience: Through "The Little Book of New Feelings," Mathur empowers mothers to cultivate emotional resilience in the face of the inevitable challenges and uncertainties of parenthood. By offering practical strategies for managing stress, practicing self-care, and fostering supportive relationships, Mathur equips mothers with the tools they need to navigate the ups and downs of motherhood with grace and resilience.3. Finding Connection and Community: Central to Mathur's message is the importance of finding connection and community in the midst of motherhood. Whether through sharing stories with fellow mothers, seeking support from loved ones, or engaging in self-reflective practices, Mathur emphasises the power of connection in alleviating feelings of isolation and fostering a sense of belonging. Questions to consider The Myth of Perfect Motherhood: Mathur challenges the myth of perfect motherhood and encourages mothers to embrace imperfection as a natural and inevitable part of the parenting journey. How can we redefine success in motherhood and prioritise self-compassion over self-criticism?The Importance of Self-Care: "The Little Book of New Feelings" highlights the importance of self-care in maintaining emotional well-being as a mother. How can we prioritise self-care amidst the demands of motherhood, and what are some practical self-care strategies that resonate with you?Honouring the Diversity of Motherhood Experiences: Mathur acknowledges that motherhood looks different for every individual and invites readers to honour the diversity of experiences within the motherhood community. How can we create inclusive spaces that celebrate and support mothers of all backgrounds and identities?"The Little Book of New Feelings" is a heartfelt ode to the emotional richness of motherhood, offering solace, validation, and inspiration to mothers at every stage of their journey. Anna Mathur's compassionate and insightful reflections remind us that in the tapestry of motherhood, every emotion – whether joyful or challenging – is a thread that weaves together the beautiful mosaic of maternal love.
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Navigating Intimacy: Exploring "Mating in Captivity" and the Importance of a Healthy Sex Life
In the whirlwind of modern life, maintaining a healthy sex life can often become a neglected aspect of relationships. In her ground-breaking book "Mating in Captivity," renowned therapist and author Esther Perel delves deep into the intricacies of intimacy, highlighting the challenges couples face in balancing security and desire within their relationships. As we embark on a journey through the pages of this enlightening text, we uncover profound insights into the importance of maintaining a healthy sex life for the vitality and longevity of our partnerships. Written by femme health Understanding "Mating in Captivity": Perel's exploration of intimacy challenges conventional wisdom by emphasising the inherent tension between security and desire within committed relationships. While security fosters closeness and comfort, desire thrives on novelty, mystery, and the thrill of the unknown. However, in the pursuit of stability and familiarity, couples often inadvertently suppress the very elements that ignite passion and fuel desire. Perel argues that the societal expectation of merging intimacy and love can lead to a paradoxical decline in eroticism. The quest for emotional closeness may inadvertently dampen desire, as partners become overly familiar and predictable to each other. Consequently, couples find themselves trapped in a cycle of domesticity, yearning for the excitement and passion that characterised the early stages of their relationship. Importance of a Healthy Sex Life: The insights gleaned from "Mating in Captivity" underscore the paramount importance of maintaining a healthy sex life within intimate partnerships. A robust sexual connection serves as a cornerstone of relational satisfaction, fostering emotional intimacy, and deepening the bond between partners. Moreover, a fulfilling sex life not only enhances individual wellbeing but also fortifies the resilience of the relationship against external stressors and challenges. Enhanced Emotional Intimacy: Sexual intimacy cultivates a profound sense of emotional closeness between partners, fostering trust, vulnerability, and mutual understanding. Through shared physical experiences, couples deepen their connection and strengthen their emotional bond, laying the foundation for enduring love and companionship. Renewed Passion and Desire: Prioritising sexual fulfilment injects vitality and excitement into the relationship, reigniting the flames of passion and desire. By embracing novelty, spontaneity, and exploration, couples can break free from the constraints of routine and rediscover the thrill of intimacy, fostering a sense of aliveness and vitality in their partnership. Stress Reduction and Well-being: Engaging in regular sexual activity offers a myriad of physical and psychological benefits, including stress reduction, improved mood, and enhanced overall well-being. Intimacy serves as a powerful antidote to the rigours of daily life, offering couples a sanctuary of solace and connection amidst life's challenges. Conflict Resolution and Communication: A healthy sex life facilitates open and honest communication between partners, providing a platform for the expression of desires, boundaries, and needs. Through intimate encounters, couples learn to navigate conflicts and disagreements with empathy and understanding, strengthening their relational resilience and fostering mutual growth and development. In conclusion, "Mating in Captivity" serves as a compelling manifesto for the revitalisation of intimacy within committed relationships. By challenging traditional notions of love and desire, Esther Perel invites us to embark on a journey of self-discovery and relational exploration, guided by the pursuit of passion, connection, and fulfilment. As we embrace the importance of maintaining a healthy sex life, we unlock the transformative power of intimacy, enriching our relationships with depth, vitality, and enduring love.
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Unlocking Fertility: Exploring "The Conception Plan" by Dr. Larisa Corda
In the realm of fertility and reproductive health, navigating the journey towards conception can often feel like a maze of conflicting advice, emotions, and medical interventions. However, amidst this complexity, Dr. Larisa Corda, a leading fertility specialist, offers a beacon of hope and clarity through her ground-breaking approach known as "The Conception Plan." Written by femme health Dr. Corda's expertise stems from a unique blend of medical knowledge, holistic understanding, and compassionate care. As a Consultant in Reproductive Medicine and an Obstetrician, she has witnessed first-hand the challenges individuals and couples face when trying to conceive. Armed with this experience, she developed "The Conception Plan" to provide a comprehensive roadmap for enhancing fertility and increasing the chances of successful conception. At the heart of Dr. Corda's approach lies a deep understanding of the intricate interplay between physical health, emotional well-being, and environmental factors in fertility. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, "The Conception Plan" emphasises personalised care tailored to each individual's unique circumstances. Central to Dr. Corda's methodology are several key principles: Holistic Assessment: "The Conception Plan" begins with a thorough assessment of various aspects influencing fertility, including reproductive health, lifestyle factors, emotional well-being, and any underlying medical conditions. By taking a holistic view, Dr. Corda ensures that all relevant factors are addressed to optimise fertility potential. Nutritional Impact: Recognising the crucial role of nutrition in reproductive health, Dr. Corda emphasises the importance of a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients. Her plan includes personalised dietary recommendations aimed at supporting hormone balance, egg quality, and overall fertility. Lifestyle Modifications: Lifestyle factors such as stress, sleep quality, exercise habits, and environment can significantly impact fertility. "The Conception Plan" provides practical strategies for optimising these factors to create a fertility-friendly environment. Mind-Body Connection: Acknowledging the profound influence of mental and emotional well-being on fertility, Dr. Corda integrates mindfulness techniques, stress management strategies, and emotional support into her plan. By nurturing the mind-body connection, she helps individuals cultivate a positive mindset and reduce the psychological burden often associated with infertility. Medical Interventions: While "The Conception Plan" emphasises natural approaches whenever possible, Dr. Corda recognises that some individuals may require medical interventions to overcome fertility challenges. In such cases, she provides guidance on navigating fertility treatments, including assisted reproductive technologies (ART), with sensitivity and expertise. Continued Support: Conceiving a child can be a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with its ups and downs. Dr. Corda's approach extends beyond conception, offering ongoing support throughout the fertility journey and into pregnancy and beyond. "The Conception Plan" represents a paradigm shift in the field of fertility care, moving away from a purely medicalised approach towards a more holistic and individualised model. By empowering individuals with knowledge, support, and practical tools, Dr. Larisa Corda helps them take proactive steps towards realising their dream of parenthood. In a world where fertility challenges are increasingly common, "The Conception Plan" offers hope and guidance to those on the path to parenthood, reminding us that with the right support and approach, the journey to conception can be one of empowerment, resilience, and ultimately, joy.
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Exploring "Atomic Habits" by James Clear for Health Improvement
Welcome back to femme’s weekly book club! Today, we delve into the pages of "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, a groundbreaking book that has sparked numerous conversations about the power of small changes in transforming our lives. In this edition of our book club, we'll focus on how the principles outlined in "Atomic Habits" can support us in achieving better health and wellbeing. Written by femme health "Atomic Habits" isn't just another self-help book. It's a guide to understanding the science behind habits and how making tiny changes can lead to remarkable results. James Clear takes us on a journey through the psychology of behaviour change, providing practical strategies for building good habits and breaking bad ones. The Four Laws of Behaviour Change Clear introduces us to the Four Laws of Behaviour Change: Cue, Craving, Response, and Reward. By understanding these fundamental principles, we can rewire our habits and set ourselves up for success. How Atomic Habits Support Health Improvement Now, let's explore how these principles can specifically aid us in improving our health: Make it Obvious: Clear emphasises the importance of making cues for healthy habits obvious and visible. For instance, if you want to drink more water, place a filled water bottle on your desk as a visual reminder. Similarly, keeping healthy snacks at eye level in your pantry can make it easier to reach for them when hunger strikes. Make it Attractive: We're more likely to stick to habits that are enjoyable and rewarding. Find ways to make healthy behaviours appealing. This could mean trying new healthy recipes, exercising in a scenic location, or rewarding yourself with a relaxing bath after a workout. Make it Easy: Simplify the process of adopting healthy habits. Break down big goals into smaller, manageable tasks. If your goal is to exercise regularly, start with just five minutes a day and gradually increase the duration as it becomes a routine. Make it Satisfying: Celebrate your progress and achievements along the way. Whether it's hitting a fitness milestone, reaching a weight loss target, or simply feeling more energised, acknowledging your successes reinforces positive behaviours. Creating an Atomic Health Routine To put these principles into action, consider creating an "Atomic Health Routine" tailored to your specific goals: Identify Key Habits: Determine the habits that have the most significant impact on your health. This could include regular exercise, nutritious eating, adequate sleep, and stress management. Start Small: Break down your health goals into tiny, actionable steps. For example, if you want to exercise more, commit to a 10-minute walk every day. Stack Your Habits: Pair new habits with existing ones to create a routine. For instance, if you want to meditate daily, do it right after brushing your teeth in the morning. Track Your Progress: Keep a journal or use a habit-tracking app to monitor your daily habits and progress. This can help you stay accountable and motivated. Adjust and Improve: Be flexible and willing to adapt your habits as needed. If something isn't working, don't be afraid to tweak your approach until you find what works best for you. "Atomic Habits" offers a treasure trove of insights and strategies for transforming your health one small habit at a time. By applying the principles outlined in this book, you can pave the way for lasting change and embark on a journey towards a healthier, happier you. So, grab a copy, join the discussion, and let's cultivate atomic habits for a better tomorrow!
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BIG FAT NEGATIVE by Emma Haslett and Gabriella Griffth
femme's book club pick this week is "Big Fat Negative. The essential guide to infertility, IVF and the trials of trying for a baby" which is an honest account of infertility, IVF and other assisted reproductive treatments. By lifting the lid on the process, the authors Emma Haslett and Gabby Griffiths hope to remove some of the shame associated with infertility and support women to feel less alone during their treatment. Written by femme health Trying to have a baby should be a joyful (and fun!) experience, but 1 in 7 couples in the UK face difficulties conceiving naturally. The same experiences most people take for granted become part of an ongoing rollercoaster that can last years, and in some cases, may never lead to a baby. Think about all the images you see or the tales you’ve been told about finding out about a pregnancy. Those two blue lines on a pregnancy test are most often a symbol of joy and new beginnings; the promise of a “normal” family life. But imagine if that test is negative when you were expecting it to be positive, when all the signs were there and you had been actively trying, tracking ovulation and marking the calendar? Now, imagine that the test is negative over and over again, a constant reminder that you’ve failed to do the main thing our bodies are designed to do. Big Fat Negative (or #BFN) is used by the IVF community to talk about negative pregnancy tests and symbolises all the failed hope, grief and anger felt the moment you realise that second blue line won’t appear. In writing Big Fat Negative, Emma and Gabby have addressed their own experiences with infertility (“You just need to relax more!”) and unpicked some of the unhelpful information surrounding infertility, especially online. Their aim is to give people going through this process honest and accurate advice on everything from the science of fertility to how to maintain friendships along the way. It’s written to make people feel less alone in the moment, to provide a helping hand to those going through the same experiences they did. This is a must read for those experiencing fertility challenges, a helpful, funny and informative guide to support couples through the journey, whatever the outcome. Check out our charity partner The Fertility Foundation For more support check out our Signposting page
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