Notes from ThriveNinety
You don’t need big changes to feel better — you need the right small ones, delivered with care. These weekly notes share simple tools, steady encouragement, and clear next steps you can take without overwhelming your system.
Why the Sense of Smell Matters for Health and Recovery
The olfactory system connects the nose directly to the brain—and affects more than scent alone.
When we think about health, recovery, or resilience, smell is rarely at the top of the list. Yet the olfactory system is one of our oldest sensory systems—and one of the most directly connected to the ...
by Andrea Henkel Burke, Katie Brennan —
Jan 18, 2026
resilience
symptom management
The Quiet Power Behind Symptom Relief
The habits you return to gently and consistently often make the biggest difference in how you feel.
We often expect too much from a single day and far too little from a full year.It’s understandable — when symptoms are unpredictable or energy feels limited, of course we hope for a quick fix that...
by Andrea Henkel Burke, Katie Brennan —
Jan 11, 2026
resilience
symptom management
A Calmer Start to the Year: Simple Choices That Support Your Health
Begin the month with steadier energy and less overwhelm by choosing what truly helps your brain and body—not what the internet tells you to “fix.”
As we settle into the first week of January, many of us feel the pull to do something for our health. The world is full of detox promises, long lists...
by Andrea Henkel Burke, Katie Brennan —
Jan 04, 2026
thriveninety support
A Tiny Step Today Can Change Tomorrow
Why the small choices you make — and the ones you avoid — quietly shape your progress in ways that matter.
There are moments in recovery and resilience-building when progress feels slow, fragile, or unpredictable. On those days, it’s easy to believe that only big changes really “count,” and that ...
by Andrea Henkel Burke, Katie Brennan —
Dec 28, 2025
resilience
symtom management
Katie’s Long COVID Recovery Story on the Long COVID Podcast
ThriveNinety is featured on the Long COVID Podcast! Katie shares her recovery story, practical tools, and insights from an Olympian mindset to support anyone impacted by Long COVID.
We’re honored to be featured on the Long COVID Podcast with Jackie Baxter — a beacon for information, recovery sto...
by Andrea Henkel Burke, Katie Brennan —
Dec 21, 2025
thriveninety support
Just Managing… or Making the Most of the Season? 🎄
Gentle strategies to help you move from “just getting through it” to finding moments of ease and joy this season.
The holidays often bring to mind cozy scenes—warm lights, familiar traditions, time with the people we love. But when you’re navigating Long COVID or other chronic conditions, the sea...
by Andrea Henkel Burke, Katie Brennan —
Dec 14, 2025
symptom management
A Different Kind of Holiday Gift
A gift that doesn’t get regifted—one that brings hope, energy, and real symptom relief when you need it most. (The kind that actually changes your life.)Every year, most of us unwrap gifts that are thoughtful and kind… and if we’re honest, often short-lived.
A scarf that’s worn twice.A kitchen ga...
by Andrea Henkel Burke, Katie Brennan —
Dec 07, 2025
thriveninety support
Healthy, Yummy Cranberry Sauce
A cozy, seasonal way to add something nourishing to your table.
Seasonal foods like cranberries are naturally rich in helpful nutrients — and making them at home gives you an easy way to enjoy the flavor without the large sugar load that often comes with store-bought versions.
Eating more anti-in...
by Andrea Henkel Burke, Katie Brennan —
Dec 03, 2025
symptom management
The Best Time to Start Your “New Year” Resolution Might Be Now
A gentle reminder that you don’t have to wait for the “perfect time” to start feeling better.
If you’re reading this just after Thanksgiving (or heading into your own end-of-year season), you might be feeling a familiar mix of things: gratitude, connection… and also a fair bit of fatigue.
Even ...
by Andrea Henkel Burke, Katie Brennan —
Nov 30, 2025
thriveninety support
3 Tools to Start to Manage Your Symptoms
Introducing Your Tools
In the video below, we introduce three of our favorite tools to get you started and explain why they help you to manage your Long COVID symptoms, as well as those of other post-infection conditions.
by Andrea Henkel Burke, Katie Brennan —
Nov 27, 2025
thriveninety support
Our Full “Notes from ThriveNinety” Library Is Now Live
We’ve gathered more than 90 editions of our weekly Notes from ThriveNinety into one searchable home — so you can revisit tools, guidance, and encouragement anytime.
Over the past two years, “Notes from ThriveNinety” has quietly become a weekly anchor for our community — a place to find simple too...
by Andrea Henkel Burke, Katie Brennan —
Nov 23, 2025
thriveninety support
Taking Care of Yourself Helps Everyone Feel Better
This week’s “Notes from ThriveNinety” is about how taking care of yourself supports everyone around you—especially through the holidays. (written 11/16/2025)
The holidays often bring reflection, family conversations, and plans for the year ahead.If you or someone close to you is managing Long COV...
by Andrea Henkel Burke, Katie Brennan —
Nov 18, 2025
symptom management
Notes from ThriveNinety