As a wellness coach, reshaping how people think about health in a society that has never prioritized prevention is like swimming upstream in a flood – I’m moving against two powerful currents: the profit-driven medical community and consumers plagued with decades of habits that have normalized the very behaviors that make them sick. Not only do both cultures resist wellness messages — they often undermine them. So this week I’m appealing to you for help. Here’s why. When we’r

February 20, 2026, is National Caregivers Day, a time to celebrate the unsung heroes among us - family, friends, and professional caregivers who provide physical and emotional support to those with chronic conditions, disabilities, and age-related needs.   It’s also a good time to rethink what “Caregiving” really means.     I’ve been a caregiver to my daughter for nine years now, and I’ve grown to appreciate that it's not just another responsibility on my to-do list – it’s li

In July 2025, my niece went into kidney failure and started dialysis treatments. Three months later, the nephrologist informed her that the damage was irreversible and she’d need dialysis permanently. Her primary care doctor suggested she add her name to the transplant list.   But her aunt Marie and I had some different advice for our niece. Marie said to her in her “you better listen to me” tone of voice: “Brin Brin, talk to your kidneys—apologize for damaging them and promi

If you have insurance coverage through your employer, the Affordable Care Act,  Medicare, or Medicaid, you’ve already seen costs increase and benefits decrease  - costs that create ripple effects that touch every one of us at some level.     Middle-income households are being forced to choose between paying higher premiums and having their lifestyles interrupted. Lower-income wage earners are gambling with their health, dropping coverage they can’t afford, which creates a vic

Last week I watched Overcomer , a powerful movie that explores identity, forgiveness, faith, and the courage to overcome life’s challenges through the journey of a high school coach and a determined cross-country runner.    My test for a really great movie is whether I want to watch it again. Well, I have to rewatch this one. Why? Because it touched my heart so deeply, I went to bed thinking about it and woke up the next morning with an exceptionally long Gratitude list, fill

As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this week, one of his lesser-known but most insightful quotes comes to mind: " Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhuman because it often results in physical death. " Delivered in 1966 at the Second National Convention of the Medical Committee for Human Rights, these words called out a brutal truth that is just as urgent today: healthcare inequality doesn't just put individuals at a disadvantage

The Law of Increase is a spiritual principle that suggests that whatever you focus on, appreciate, or praise tends to grow and multiply in your life.   When I decided to devote a year to exploring the concept of “Healing,” wonderful things began to happen almost immediately. Within just a week, I came across two new books by physicians specializing in integrative medicine, and both are now on their way to me. One was sent by a thoughtful friend who called to ask if the title

"You are never too old to start over, but you can be too old to keep doing things that don’t work." I’m excited about 2026! I have some goals I hope to accomplish, but first I must let go of a few things that are holding me back. As a small change  Wellness Coach, I write to teach, and, in all honesty, writing long blog posts doesn’t jibe with my small change philosophy.  So this year, I’m letting go of the need to fit conventional blogging formats and sharing in a way that

When you learn better, do better….but learning always comes first.    Decide what you want to “do better,” narrow it down to one meaningful word, and dedicate a year to deeply studying that word.    That’s exactly what I did in 2014 when I set out to understand the true meaning of "gratitude." The unexpected gifts of that journey continue to enrich my life in countless ways.   While exploring how gratitude enhances well-being, one word kept surfacing: “healing.” So in 2024, I

After decades on this wellness journey, I’ve learned that lasting change doesn’t come from the sweeping overhauls we promise ourselves on January 1st. Wellness is ongoing. Wellness is homemade. Wellness is built from the small things  we do day after day.   So this Christmas, I invite you to embrace a small change Christmas wish from the small change Toolkit. May it honor your well-being each day of the holiday season and serve as seeds of transformation that last throughout

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”  — Mother Teresa   There are only 11 days left until Christmas – the big gift-exchange day!   It seems there’s a national observance for almost everything. Just last week, I came across National Regifting Day - a lighthearted observance, held on the Thursday before Christmas (December 18) ,  encouraging re-gifting unwanted but usable presents to others who might appreciate them. Originally centered on office pa

“The more you extend kindness to yourself, the more it will become your automatic response to others.”  Wayne  Dyer   In less than three weeks, we’ll celebrate the biggest Christian holiday of the year –Christmas! Americans observe at least one holiday every month (August is the only exception). I’ve researched their origins, and the more I learn and reflect on what they mean to me, the less inclined I am to “buy into” traditions. I’d rather create my own!   So, what does Chr

“I’m more worried about the dangers of natural stupidity than artificial intelligence.” Yuval Noah Harari Imagine a not-so-distant future, say 2040, where digital devices have become an even bigger part of young people’s lives. Instead of exploring the outdoors, many kids spend more time inside, choosing screens over sunshine and fresh air. They have little to no social skills. Their communication is centered on emojis and short texts rather than face-to-face chats; their se

" I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. "   Henry David Thoreau   We're about to pause for a day to acknowledge our blessings. But let’s be honest: by the beginning of next week, most of us will have forgotten the holiday feeling entirely.   So, I’m issuing a 2025 Thanksgiving Day Challenge – moving forward, let’s make every day a day to be grateful! Wherever you are this Thanksgiving Day, why not start a Gratitude Jar or Box?   Here are 10 reaso

"The beauty is in the walking — we are betrayed by destinations." Gwyn Thomas   Recently, I went to a rehab facility to visit two family members. The first one was in bed, somewhat restless. We chatted for a few minutes. Before I left, I asked if there was anything I could do or bring for them. “Get me out of here – I’m ready to go home” was their reply. I let them know I wished I could help, but couldn’t take them home. So, I said a quiet prayer, “Lord help, thanks,” as I le

"Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects." — Arnold H. Glasow   When we're feeling stressed or just need a break from life’s emotional rollercoaster, we all have our go-to comforts. For some, it’s food. For others, a drink takes the edge off, but too much can leave us with a hangover and possible health risks. Prescription drugs might be a temporary fix, but they often cause drowsiness. Even scrolling through social media can be a quick escape; however, it sometimes

In the world of medicine, if I can put you on a pill, I can see you every three months for the rest of your life. That’s how we make money in medicine. If I put you on a plant-based diet and get you better, I probably won’t see you again.    James Bennie, M.D.   I’m not a vegetarian or vegan, but if I had to choose between eating only fruits and vegetables or meat for the rest of my life, I’d happily choose fruits and veggies. As a kid, I loved them and still crave the nostal

“No water, no life. Know water, know life!”   What’s the first liquid you consume when you wake up in the morning? For me, it’s always water. After an overnight fast, hydrating my body with water first thing in the morning triggers muscle contractions in my stomach and gives my digestive process a boost, helping to flush out toxins from the previous day. Usually, one 16-ounce bottle gets things circulating and trains my bowels to move on schedule. I like to keep my water inta

“Don’t fight with the pillow, but lay down your head, and kick every worriment out of the bed.” Edmund Vance Cooke In a fast-paced world that glorifies hustle, celebrates all-nighters, and often treats sleep as a luxury rather than a necessity, this week, I’m using Wellness Tip #7 to remind you that SLEEP matters. Adequate sleep touches nearly every aspect of your well-being. Long-term sleep deprivation raises your risk for serious cardiovascular and metabolic prob

"If I had to limit my advice on healthier living to just one tip, it would be to simply learn how to breathe correctly ."    Dr....