Maintaining Health and Wellness During Divorce with Dr. Susan Darrah | Episode 8

Health & Wellness During Divorce: Sleep, Exercise, Nutrition, and NatureDivorce is one of the most stressful life events—and the toll it takes on your body is real. In this episode of Divorce at Altitude, host Amy Goscha sits down with anesthesiologist and wellness advocate Dr. Susan Darrah to discuss practical, science-backed ways to protect your health while navigating divorce.Amy and Dr. Darrah break down four core pillars—sleep, exercise, diet, and time in nature—and explain how each one supports stress regulation, emotional resilience, and long-term physical health. Using real-world examples (including common divorce challenges like insomnia, emotional eating, and burnout), they offer approachable strategies that fit into busy schedules—especially for parents.Guest Information: Dr. Susan Darrah Dr. Susan Darrah is a board-certified anesthesiologist and former medical director of a surgery center affiliated with Massachusetts Eye and Ear / Mass General Brigham. A Colorado native, she trained in medicine in New York and completed residency at USC before practicing in Southern California and Boston. Dr. Darrah focuses on practical wellness strategies—including sleep hygiene, stress physiology, fitness routines, and nutrition habits—to help people build resilience during high-stress life transitions.Episode OutlineSleep and Divorce StressWhy sleep is a foundational health tool during divorce, including the connection between poor sleep and mood, inflammation, and long-term health risks.Creating a Sleep Routine That WorksHow consistency (same bedtime/wake time), temperature, and reducing electronics can improve sleep quality—even during emotionally stressful periods.What to Do When You Can’t Fall AsleepPractical strategies for sleepless nights, including getting out of bed briefly, avoiding bright screens, and keeping a calming wind-down routine.Alcohol, Caffeine, and Sleep DisruptionHow alcohol may help you fall asleep but can interfere with staying asleep, and why caffeine timing matters more than most people realize.Exercise as the “Free Antidepressant”How aerobic exercise supports stress regulation, improves mood and cognition, and helps stabilize the body’s stress response system.What is Divorce at Altitude? Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha provide tips and recommendations on issues related to divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado. Ryan and Amy are the founding partners of an innovative and ambitious law firm, Kalamaya | Goscha, that pushes the boundaries to discover new frontiers in family law, personal injuries, and criminal defense in Colorado. To subscribe to Divorce at Altitude, click here and select your favorite podcast player. To subscribe to Kalamaya | Goscha's YouTube channel where many of the episodes will be posted as videos, click here.  If you have additional questions or would like to speak to one of our attorneys, give us a call at 970-429-5784 or email us at [email protected].************************************************************************DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS ON THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE OR AREA TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES.