In the northeastern United States, we have experienced six full weeks of “Stay at Home” orders with at least two (and probably four) more weeks on the horizon. In my April 1st blog post, I wrote about the things I was doing to keep my well-being intact during this time. I’ve kept vigilant with my practices, utilizing the green, yellow, red coding I described so I could easily track my progress. Here’s how I’ve been doing:
Read MoreAs we move beyond the one-month anniversary of the Stay-At-Home orders to maintain social distancing with no definitive end in sight, I have noticed a personal shift. While I’m attending to all of the professional and personal things that need to be done . . .
Read MoreMuch has been written about the importance of keeping a daily schedule while learning to live with coronavirus restrictions. Almost overnight, we had to find ways of working remotely, schooling children, caring for elders and tending to family responsibilities while abiding by the guidance for keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe.
Read MoreIt can be unnerving to watch the Coronavirus spread into a global pandemic. We can feel uneasy and powerless. The increased stress can impact the strength of our immune defenses. The immune system is defined as “the cells and tissues in the body that make it able to protect itself against infection,” according to the Cambridge dictionary.
Read MoreIt’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.
Read MoreSpring 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.
Read MoreOn a recent flight to the west coast, I watched a documentary entitled The Biggest Little Farm, a story about a professional couple with a dream of running a farm with a focus on regenerative soil methods. During the course of the film, they build a thriving ecosystem where every element of the farm, even the challenges, have purpose. Their approach to farming is akin to a natural approach to personal wellness.
Read More“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 . . .
Read MoreA 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.
Read MoreA 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?”
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