Brigitte's Blog
Simple Self-Care Habits to Boost Your Mental Health & Manage Stress
Busy parents juggling work, caregiving, and everyone else’s needs often end up treating their own mental health challenges like a problem to postpone. The core tension is that everyday stress management gets handled in emergency mode, while simple self-care practices get labeled “optional” and pushed aside until burnout or irritability
The Mile We Run Together
Reading this quote recently prompted me to share why I choose to run: “Running mirrors life in many ways. There are hills, challenges and moments when you want to stop, but you keep going. And just like in life, we don’t cross the finish line alone — we support one
Beyond the Cardio: The “Oxygen” You’re Missing
I was out on the trail this week thinking about the “root cause” of why we do what we do. Usually, as a runner, I’m focused on my pace or my breathing. But a recent conversation with Dahryn Trivedi on the Real Things Living podcast has me looking at the “oxygen” of
Real Things
A baby monkey. My dogs. And the anchors that carry us through. Have you seen the baby monkey, Punch? If you haven’t yet, his story is one that absolutely deserves a pause. It certainly stopped my world for a few minutes this week. Punch is a tiny macaque born at
How to Future-Proof Your Mind and Build Lasting Resilience
Have you ever felt like you’re doing everything right, but one small change to the schedule makes everything feel like it’s falling apart? For busy parents juggling work, caregiving, and daily responsibilities, this isn’t just stress—it’s the drain of unpredictability. Managing this constant change can drain focus, shorten patience, and
The Daily Reset: Simple Habits to Feel Like Yourself Again
Modern life often feels like a blur of obligations, notifications, and mental overload. Between work demands and personal responsibilities, we tend to put “feeling good” on the back burner. But well-being isn’t a luxury—it’s the foundation for clarity, energy, and focus. Let’s look at evidence-based, practical ways to restore balance
It’s Not My Time: The Audacity of Resilience
There’s a song that’s been playing in my head lately, not just as background music, but as a declaration. A battle cry. A truth spoken into the darkness. “It’s Not My Time” by 3 Doors Down. If you’ve followed my journey, you know resilience isn’t just a theme for me—it’s
When “What?!” Becomes Your Default
Hearing loss doesn’t sound like silence. It sounds like muffled, missed, and maddening. That’s how it crept into my life—not with a sudden shock, but with a slow, quiet shift that made me turn up the TV a little louder and ask “What?” more often. I didn’t realize how much I was struggling until
The Quiet Courage of “Flow”
I’ve always been curious about what animals can teach us about love and resilience. This is why the animated film Flow spoke to me in the most unexpected ways. As we watched, we heard a cat meow and dogs bark from the screen, and our own dogs perked up their ears and looked at the TV, as
The Intersection of Health and Beauty
When we think about health, most people immediately imagine balanced meals, gym workouts, or regular check-ups. But the reality is far more layered. Wellness is shaped not just by what we eat or how much we move, but also by our emotional, social, and even financial circumstances. As Brigitte Cutshall
Showing Up for a Loved One Living with a Chronic Health Condition
Chronic illness doesn’t ask permission. It shifts routines, shrinks plans, and reshapes the pace of daily life. If you’re close to someone navigating this—whether it’s fibromyalgia, long COVID, or something rare that defies quick explanations—your presence matters more than your solutions. Support isn’t about stepping in with answers. It’s about
8 No-Nonsense Daily Health Habits You Can Start Today
Small Shifts, Big Results. You don’t have to overhaul your entire lifestyle to feel stronger, more focused, and at ease. It’s the small things you do repeatedly that make the biggest difference. Approaching health from head to toe means tending to your physical body, emotional balance, and mental clarity through
Life Can Still be Good…No Matter What
We all face moments that knock us down. Becky Galli has faced more than most, and she still found a way to rise, rebuild, and help others. I had the honor to connect with Becky, a remarkable woman whose story is a testament to resilience, love, and reinvention. After becoming
A Light Went Out
In the Footsteps of a Leader Who Taught Us to Love Beyond Boundaries I wasn’t expecting to feel emotional when I heard about the passing of Pope Francis. But I did. Maybe it’s because over the years, I’ve come to see him as a rare kind of leader…one who truly walked
How Health and Wealth Impact Each Other
Your health is your greatest wealth. It’s time to start treating it that way. The relationship between health and wealth has long been proven. Wealthier people can afford and maintain a healthy lifestyle, while healthy people can access wealth-building opportunities, such as holding a stable job. These two impact each
Your Health Journey Can Inspire Positive Change
There’s something profound about the moment we decide to truly listen to our bodies. For me, it began with small whispers – gentle reminders that wellness isn’t just about numbers on a scale or miles logged on an app, but about honoring the deep connection between personal healing and collective
Steering Toward What Matters
This is the perfect time to reflect as we step into a new year. Beyond the usual resolutions and goals, a deeper question emerges: Are you charting your own course or simply drifting in currents set by others? The answer could reshape not just where you’re headed, but how you’ll get there. As
Life is Beautiful
The Joshua tree is a symbol of strength and resilience. This year holds a special meaning for me. It marks ten years since my last cancer diagnosis (and was considered aggressive). It has been a decade of life, love, and resilience. And for that, I am endlessly grateful. The title of this post is inspired by
Why Do We Apologize So Much?
Saying ‘Thank You’ Empowers You More Than Saying “I’m Sorry” The other day I was on a trail run with our chocolate Labrador, Dave, and bikers passed me on the left several times. “On your left.” (That is the code for bikers when passing a runner or walker.) “Oh, I’m so sorry,”
We Can Learn From Dogs
What if we could solve more of our conflicts by simply being kind, the way dogs do? As a lifelong fan of animals, particularly dogs, I’ve always been captivated by their ability to connect with others. I’ve written a lot about dogs and my favorite is It Matters To This One. So happy to have
Comfort Starts at Home: Ergonomic Tips for Pain Relief
Do you often wake up feeling stiff or sore? You’re not alone. Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a pervasive issue and affects more than half of American adults, and it can turn simple activities like sitting or standing into a painful ordeal. According to data from the CDC’s National Center for
Managing Parental Anxiety for Healthier Families
Parental anxiety can cast a long shadow over the family life, affecting both parents and children. Understanding how your anxiety influences your child is essential for building a strong, supportive family environment. This article explores practical methods and different strategies you can use to create a more stable environment for
Compassion: The Superpower You Didn’t Know You Had
Our world is full of surprises: experiences, viewpoints, and people that challenge our understanding. The topic of compassion has been brought up several times in some amazing conversations I’ve recently had. One friend shared that her daughter is neurodivergent (ADHD) and this statement stood out to me ~ “comprehension isn’t a prerequisite to compassion.”
Wellness Tech: New Tools for Enhancing Mental Well-being
The ongoing mental health crisis in the United States has reached unprecedented levels, causing significant challenges for mental wellness in the country. According to the APA’s 2023 Practitioner Pulse Survey, 52% of licensed psychologists are seeing an increase in the severity of symptoms among their patients, leading to more time
