Health & Wellbeing series
This programme is designed to support your mental wellbeing as well as physical.
We regularly host yoga, mindfulness and nutrition programmes. Stay up-to-date on our social media for the latest announcements or sign up to our Wellbeing Mailing List below
Programmes
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Fertility In The Workplace Wellbeing Programs
Group Mentoring Programme
We are excited to announce an amazing group mentoring programme, where we will be offering support and guidance to women experiencing fertility challenges at work. Click here to find out more.
To find out more about our exclusive Wellbeing in the Workplace members pages please visit our main page hereWe are supported by the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Fund, part of a partnership programme between Department of Health & Social Care, NHS England, and UK Health Security Agency, to support the government’s strategy aimed at improving Women’s Health and supporting them to remain in the workplace.
If you have any questions, please contact FITW@fertilitynetworkuk.org -
Wellbeing Course - supporting individuals in moving on – without children - after Fertility Treatment has not been successful
As part of our well-being courses we are offering a series of 4 workshops, designed to support individuals in moving on – without children – after Fertility Treatment has not been successful. The sessions will be hosted by Anna Jewell, who is a Professional and Personal Development Coach and Fertility Treatment Warrior.This is for you if you would benefit from input and strategies to help in:
- bringing awareness to, expressing, and managing the various difficult thoughts, feelings and emotions that are coming up.
- finding a way forward – managing negative self-talk and identifying limiting beliefs – and feeling more empowered in the journey ahead.
- finding direction, reconnecting with yourself, and establishing a new sense of purpose.
By giving yourself dedicated time and space as well as professional input, you will be able to explore and experiment to work out what is best for you and get some momentum towards a brighter future.
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Yoga
Join us from Tuesday 16th April at 8pm for the first session of our 6-week Yoga for Relaxation course.
The yoga will be live but don’t worry, you won’t be seen or heard! The only person on screen will be our lovely instructor Bernadette King from the Peaceful Practice.
Sessions will be held weekly at 8pm on Tuesday evenings:
Tuesday 23 April, 8pm
Tuesday 30 April, 8pm
Tuesday 7 May, 8pm
Tuesday 14 May, 8pm
Tuesday 21 May, 8pm
To register, simply follow this SIGN UP LINK and enter your details, you will be sent a confirmation email which will contain the webinar link. The webinar will not show your video, you will only see our team and Bernadette. If you require any additional information or have any queries please email england@fertilitynetworkuk.org
What does the class include?
Yoga is an excellent therapy for reducing stress which is helpful to everyone. There will be a focus on breathing techniques for stress reduction and enhancing fertility. The yoga postures are all suitable for trying to conceive. Each class will finish with a relaxation and meditation specifically for fertility.
What do I need?
- A yoga mat if you have one (a soft floor/carpeted area if not)
- Some comfortable clothes that you can move/stretch in
- A cushion for support
- A long scarf
- A large blanket for the relaxation session
Who is this class suitable for?
Our yoga classes are suitable for all stages of the menstrual cycle including the two week wait; and our yoga instructor will endeavour to highlight throughout the class where to make slight adjustments according to where you are in your cycle and if you are menstruating. However, fertility yoga is NOT suitable for pregnancy – including early pregnancy following a positive pregnancy test – so if you have a positive pregnancy test, we would recommend you seek out a pregnancy yoga class.
Fertility-focused yoga is extremely complementary to Assisted Reproductive Technology, however, if you are currently going through fertility treatment we recommend that you avoid the physical yoga postures (asanas) for a period of 48 hours post retrieval and post implantation and thereafter you can begin the physical practice again during the two week wait.
Of course, the meditation and pranayama (breathing techniques) are always safe to practice and you can partake in these at the beginning and end of the class.
If you are using stimulation drugs you may feel uncomfortable in some positions, particularly prone (lying on your tummy) so please be mindful of this and do not do any postures that cause you too much discomfort.
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Mindfulness
Mindfulness can help us to build resilience, stability and connection during these very difficult times. It can help us to find balance and even joy amidst uncertainty and worry. Through the practice of mindfulness we learn how to take care of our stress so that it doesn’t overwhelm us and in so doing we learn how to take care of each other.
Who is this suitable for?
Our free Mindfulness programmes are suitable for beginners and for those who have already some mindfulness experience. Hosted on Zoom, the programme will include a course e-manual along with recordings of the mindfulness practices to use each week at home between sessions.
Many participants have remarked on the feeling of connection and intimacy that they have experienced from attending the online meditations and classes since the start of the pandemic.
How to join
These courses are free to attend but places tend to be limited and registration is essential. Please follow us on social media to be the first to find out when the next course is planned or sign up to our wellbeing mailing list above for updates on all our wellbeing programmes.
Testimonials
‘The pandemic has been very isolating for me, as for many others, and it has been very positive to make new friends via the network. The mindfulness course was genuinely life-changing for me. I’ve tried counselling many times and whilst useful, it really doesn’t compare to what I have gained from Veronica’s course.’
‘Thank you so much, I truly enjoyed and have learnt and taken so much from it. It is changing my life. And you are wonderful Veronica, thank you so much.’
‘For many years I have tried mindfulness, ‘self-taught’ using various apps. However, the course really taught me what mindfulness is and how to practice. The 2 key factors for me were being taught by someone so experienced; and the second was doing it in a group. I think the enquiry sessions reinforced what happens when you practice.’
‘Thanks for providing such a great class. I am so grateful for it. Veronica is a fantastic teacher’
‘Learning a lot about myself and just great to have that support and connectivity that we are all craving at the moment.’
For more information on mindfulness, watch this webinar with Veronica Ellis.
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Nutrition
Diet is an important tool for both men and women when trying to conceive. Whether you’re trying to improve your reproductive health and boost your chances as a result, or reaching a target weight for treatment, our four-week nutrition workshops are designed to inform, motivate and help you stay on track.
How to join
These courses are free to attend but places tend to be limited and registration is essential. Please follow us on social media to be the first to find out when the next course is planned or sign up to our wellbeing mailing list above for updates on all our wellbeing programmes.
For more information on nutrition, watch this webinar with nutritionist Sarah Trimble.
If you are seeking support for weight loss as part of your fertility journey, you can also join our Fertility Weight Loss Group for peer-to-peer support. Find out more here