We sat down with the fitness personality, author and mom to get her best stay-healthy advice
With a thriving career and a blended family that includes six kids, five of whom live at home with her and her fiancé, Scott Rigsby, Brooke Burke knows what it means to be busy. That’s why this summer, after shooting 20 episodes of season 11 of The CW series Penn & Teller Fool Us in Las Vegas, she’s making time to relax. “I love the downtime of summer to reconnect and slow down,” says Brooke. “We’re hoping to be able to check out of the chaos of our everyday life and get a real vacation together, which consists of a whole lot of nothing: time on the lake, making pizzas and just connecting with family, as that brings us the most joy.”
The 52-year-old former Dancing With the Stars co-host shares her secrets to staying calm amid the chaos, telling FIRST, “I’ve learned how to pause. I’ve learned how to quiet the noise and have a grounding foundation that is built on mindfulness. The only way to really listen to the language of our own spirit is by slowing down and making ourselves a priority.” Here, Brooke shares her tips to staying healthy and happy and gives us details on her newest project: wellness retreats for women.
To sleep better: Create a rest nest
“Sleep is a big part of my wellness ritual. I take it very seriously,” says Brooke, who has her bedtime routine down to a science. “I’ll put a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on my door and put Epsom salts in the bath. I’ll set out flowers from the garden or light my favorite relaxation candle and drop into the warm water. I even black out my windows. And I get off my screens at least an hour before bedtime so I’m not sitting in bed trawling through things that don’t matter.”
To eat more veggies: Try a ‘leftover salad’
“I love to take last night’s protein and just chop it all up to make a leftover salad. We need protein, especially as we get older. This is a great way to get it. And it’s so easy. You just throw everything on your cutting board — your lettuce, your hard-boiled eggs, your meat, your carrots, your dressing, your nuts, whatever it is — and chop it up together. It’s the easiest, most amazing salad ever!”
To feel better: Meet yourself with love
“I believe wholeheartedly that our body is listening to every thought we have, every fear,” says Brooke. “And the worst part is that it’s believing them too. But I think it’s possible to create new patterns to change the way you see your body, the way you speak to your body. We have to develop habits that are built on self-love, acceptance, trust and kindness. I’ve learned to thank my body for what I’m going through and to accept where it is.”
Her beauty secret: cooling facial massage
“A jade roller is the best cheat after a long night if your eyes are puffy, if you’re retaining water, if you haven’t had enough sleep, if you’re stressed,” says Brooke. “They’re cheap. I keep mine in the freezer, and I’ll just roll my eyes out. It’s amazing. It also feels really good to wake up your face. You could also just pop a metal spoon in the freezer and use that for free.”
For staying healthy: Workouts and wellness retreats
Brooke loves supporting women on their health journey, sharing recipes, meditations, live Zoom workouts and more on her app, Brooke Burke Body. “There’s something for everyone,” she cheers.
But her most recent project, Brooke Burke Body & Soul + Yogando Retreats, goes a step further, giving women a chance to take a break from their busy lives to focus on their health. Since 2022, Brooke has been hosting multi-day retreats in stunning destinations around the world, from Carefree, Arizona, to Costa Rica, Hawaii and more. The retreats include time to relax and socialize, along with sessions on Qigong, yoga, breath work (Brooke is a certified instructor), sound bath meditation, Brooke’s Booty Burn workout and more.
“Our programs sculpt the body and reshape the mind. Every woman deserves this opportunity,” says Brooke. “I believe it’s potentially the most important vacation of their life. The union of mind, body and spirit allows every woman to create a sense of balance in a chaotic world.”
Learn more and sign up for her October retreat in Carefree, Arizona.
Originally published on First in Women
