The Athena Principles: Book Overview (First in a Series)

The core message of the book The Athena Principles: Simple Wellness Practices for Overworked Professionals is: Reconnecting to our mind, body and spirit through the exploration of five Principles (self-compassion, intention, consistency, positive mindset and accountability) and related practices (writing, meditation and positive action) leads to wholehearted living and optimized well-being. Readers will learn what living wholeheartedly means for them along with ideas to create a customized self-care plan that nourishes their deepest desires.

Gardens of Ease

It’s been said that nature heals. Studies and related findings point to the benefits of spending time in natural surroundings, including lowered anxiety and stress levels. Nature-oriented therapy is a growing field (pun intended) with the use of therapeutic gardens in institutional settings such as hospitals, recovery and correctional facilities on the rise.

Midlife, Wellness, Women, Well-beingKathy RobinsonMarch 1, 2020Therapeutic gardening, Well-being, Wellness, Women, Midlife

An Early Spring

Spring seems to have arrived early in the northeastern United States. The daffodils are about to bloom in my yard, the birds are more active and I feel an uptick in my own energy level. The groundhog did not see his shadow and the long-term weather forecast shows no sign of snow for the next ten days. I know we’re not out of the winter woods yet, but I’m already preparing for longer days.

Midlife, Wellness, WomenKathy RobinsonFebruary 15, 2020Midlife, springtime, rejuvination, women, wellness, wellbeing

Fitness = Independence

“I don’t want to be dependent on anyone,” says CrossFit enthusiast, Jacinto Bonilla. At first glance, it might read like an unremarkable statement, but consider this – Jacinto was born when World War II was in full swing, a gallon of gas cost 18 cents and male life expectancy was under 61 years. Today at 80 years of age, Bonilla can deadlift 300 pounds, squat 200 and keep up . . .

Midlife, Wellness, WomenKathy RobinsonJanuary 15, 2020Wellness, Midlife, CrossFit, Aging Well

Metta for a New Decade

A new decade is dawning and this moment feels significant. It feels like an opportunity to expand capacity for acceptance. It feels like there’s an opening to shift the dialogue from exclusion to inclusion. It feels like the perfect time to focus on our human commonality – starting with compassion for ourselves and then expanding it out into the world, like rippling concentric circles of kindness.

Midlife, Wellness, WomenKathy RobinsonJanuary 1, 20202020, New Year, Compassion, Metta meditation, Midlife, Women, Wellness, Wellbeing

CrossFit Curious at Midlife – On Ramp Introduction

At the end of my last blog post, I mentioned that I was heading to my local CrossFit box (i.e., gym) to check it out. Yes, I’m familiar with the horror stories: the ridiculous workouts, the crazy injuries, and mid-workout visits from “Pukey the Clown.” Yet, for some inexplicable reason, I’ve been intrigued for a while and finally decided to give it a try.

Midlife, Wellness, WomenKathy RobinsonNovember 15, 2019CrossFit, Women, Midlife, Wellness

Getting Old is Optional

Last year at this time I was getting ready to run my first ultramarathon. It was the culmination of three years of training for endurance cycling and running events. In 2019, I decided to focus on boot camp workouts and shorter trail runs. A few weeks ago, I began thinking about my next wellness challenge. I wanted something on the horizon to keep me enthusiastic through the upcoming dark winter months. But what?

Women, Wellness, MidlifeKathy RobinsonNovember 1, 2019Women, Midlife, Strength Training, Weightlifting

A Friday the 13th Harvest Moon

It may sound like a tagline from a B movie, but we experienced a rare celestial event this weekend and are still basking in its full moon glow. The last time the United States experienced a full moon across its time zones on Friday the 13thwas in October 2000. It will not occur again until August 2049. The term Harvest Moon was coined because the of the short span of time . . .

Midlife, Wellness, WomenKathy RobinsonSeptember 15, 2019Midlife, Wellness, Women, Full Moon, Reflection, Gratitude, Celebrate

Red Kimonos and Beginner's Mind

In Japan, the 60th birthday is special, as it’s believed that the celebrant begins a new circle of life. It’s called kanreki and is traditionally commemorated by wearing red, kimonos for women, vests and hats for men. It’s believed to be a time of rebirth and the color red symbolizes protection. Red gifts are usually given to babies and expectant mothers, making this midlife rebirth all the more celebratory.

Midlife, Wellness, WomenKathy RobinsonAugust 15, 2019Midlife, Women, Kanreki

Pressing Reset

During the first six months of the year, I traveled to five countries and three US cities, mostly for business purposes. While I was able to keep up with my exercise routine, my plant-based diet took a hit, having to rely on energy bars, packages of almonds and peanut butter when fresh fruit and veg were out of the question (e.g., India). As mid-July approached and travel stopped for a bit, I knew it was time for a reset.

Midlife, Wellness, WomenKathy RobinsonAugust 1, 2019Fasting Mimicking Diet, Midlife, Wellness, Women, ProLon

Training as Play

We are having an unusually wet and cool spring in the northeast this year. It’s mid-May and we have seen more rain than sun with temperatures hovering in the 50s. The occasional sunny 70-degree day feels like a gift. The shift from indoor winter workouts to outdoor spring ones has been slow. I’m longing for the nice weather so I can go outside and play.

Midlife, Wellness, WomenKathy RobinsonMay 15, 2019Midlife, Wellness, Women

Waves of Uncertainty

I often hear scenarios where someone is inspired to make a wellness change but reverts back to old behaviors and habits when the intended result isn’t quickly realized. The desired changes can include a new eating approach, getting to the gym, meditating, starting a morning practice or being more present throughout the day. The reason why most efforts cease before true change can take root can be linked back to one word – uncertainty.

Wellness, Women, MidlifeKathy RobinsonMarch 15, 2019Women, Midlife, Wellness

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