A new year is on the horizon. For many, it’s a time of planning and making promises for a healthier lifestyle. But what if there was no need to set New Year’s resolutions? In my forthcoming book, The Athena Principles, Practices for Optimizing Vitality and Wellness, I outline a simple exercise called “Addition and Subtraction.” I’ve adapted that exercise to take the place . . .
Read MoreSmall steps taken towards enhanced wellness can have big impact. Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend a half-day silent retreat where we used mindfulness techniques as an anchor to the present moment. This was done through a series of exercises that included walking, listening, observing and eating, the latter being the perfect precursor to celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family a few days later.
Read MoreAt 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.
Read MoreLast 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?
Read MoreLast month I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Christopher Germer speak on the topic of Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC). Dr. Germer, along with his colleague, Dr. Kristin Neff, are both psychologists and pioneers in the field of self-compassion, having authored several books on the topic. They also co-founded the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (centerformsc.org) that offers resources and training.
Read MoreThe disappointment of a broken promise can make us feel unvalued, upset and hurt. Whether intentional or unintentional, unkept promises erode trust over time. What about the promises we make to ourselves and don’t keep? Those broken promises can be subtler and take shape in the form of what habitually remains unaddressed on our to-do lists. The result is the feeling of not honoring ourselves.
Read MoreIt 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 . . .
Read MoreSomething interesting happened when I switched from a corporate career to an entrepreneurial vocation. Any excess weight I was carrying dropped without effort. I was at my ideal weight, the lightest I had ever been in my adult life, within five weeks. How was that possible?
Read MoreIn 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.
Read MoreDuring 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.
Read MoreThe switch from a corporate career to an entrepreneurial one was a choice I made in my mid-50’s. The journey began when I asked a question I had never considered before: “How do I want to spend my time?”
Read MoreI was five years old when the Stonewall uprising occurred in NYC in June of 1969. I am 55 as I participate in the Stonewall 50 – WorldPride NYC 2019 celebrations. In the span of 50 years, the world has profoundly changed a little at a time, drop by drop, each bead of water small in volume but collectively impactful.
Read MoreLast month I had the pleasure of participating in a ceremony based on the tea traditions of Taiwan. Seven of us gathered on an outdoor veranda with an expansive view in the early morning light to share tea in silence. I can still feel the cool, damp air on my skin, hear the water simmer as it approached the right temperature, and smell the earth in the brewing leaves.
Read MoreEarlier this week I had the privilege of volunteering at America’s Grow-A-Row (AGAR), a non-profit organization that grows and distributes fresh produce to hunger relief agencies across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They also provide free fruit and vegetables directly to the community through free farmers’ markets during the summer and provide educational programs on hunger, poverty and healthy eating in the offseason.
Read MoreWe 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.
Read MoreOne of the things I love about wellness is that it’s an ongoing journey; there’s no final destination. That leaves a lot of room for experiential learning. Last month I tried intermittent fasting for the first time. I was astounded by how good I felt after just a few days. Intermittent fasting is a pattern of eating. It’s about when you eat rather than what you eat.
Read MoreToday is Tax Day in the United States, when we settle our tallies with the Federal and State governments. Some taxpayers will be getting refunds while others, like me, will be writing checks. I used a red marker to make a heart on the notes line of the check. I also said a quiet “thank you” as I slipped the envelop into the mailbox.
Read MoreOn February 14, 2017, we celebrated my mom and dad’s 64thwedding anniversary. The family gathered around the kitchen table, toasted their long-term good fortune and reminisced. Each memory was punctuated with a smile, laugh or tear. The rhythmic sound of an oxygen tank hummed in the background, pumping air into my mother’s deteriorating lungs . . .
Read MoreI 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.
Read MoreIt’s early morning and the alarm sounds. You reach towards your night table and swat at the clock, hitting the snooze button. As you drift off for another nine minutes of sleep, you think about the workout you have scheduled and a feeling of paralysis overcomes you. You work through an endless list of excuses conjured up to convince yourself why it’s okay to sleep in this morning. The internal battle begins. Can you relate?
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