Brooke Burke doesn’t do New Year’s Resolutions. Instead, the 52-year-old former Dancing With the Stars co-host focuses on monthly rituals. “I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle all year round,” she says as our latest FIRST for Women cover girl (get your copy here!). “But it helps to set new goals at the beginning of every month.” Right now, her daily ritual includes waking up and meditating, then enjoying a glass of “lemonade” (read below for the details!). “If I can wake up and keep my commitment and begin my day with a ritual, it dictates my mood for the rest of my day,” says Brooke. Finding time to rest is also key for the busy mom, who balances a thriving career and a blended family that includes six kids, five of whom live at home with her and her fiancé, Scott. She tells FIRST, “I’ve learned how to pause. I’ve learned how to quiet the noise and have a grounding foundation. The only way to really listen to the language of our own spirit is by slowing down and making ourselves a priority.”
Brooke 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 April retreat in Carefree, Arizona.
For staying active: make walking mindful
“Walking is a really good release for me because it’s time for me to be in nature and to reconnect with myself,” says Brooke. To make a walk even more effective, she likes listening to a guided meditation or audiobook as she strolls. “It’s a great time to take care of your body, but also to receive information, so it’s sort of multitasking.” She also likes “digestion walks” after meals—a strategy that helps your body digest food and lower blood sugar.
For starting her morning on the right foot: ‘Healthy lemonade’
Every morning, Brooke starts her day with a hydrating lemon drink that went viral when she shared it on Instagram. “I take an entire lemon and I put it in the blender and blend it with 60 oz. of water. I put it in a mason jar and I have it for the next day,” she says. “It is nutrient-dense and it’s my commitment to start my day mindfully.” Tip: Make sure to clean the lemon and opt for a Meyer lemon, which is a bit less tart.
