{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"S1E1 Special Holiday Edition.  Surving the Holidays and New Year New You","description":"The holidays are supposed to be joyful \u2014 but for many people over 40, they can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and quietly stressful. In this special episode of 40s Forward, Dr. Betsy Greenleaf breaks down why the holidays hit harder after 40 and how to protect your energy, hormones, metabolism, and emotional well-being without guilt or perfectionism. You\u2019ll learn why your body responds differently to stress, sugar, alcohol, late nights, and family dynamics in midlife \u2014 and how to navigate the season with grace, strategy, and self-leadership instead of burnout. This episode is not about restriction, detoxes, or \u201cstarting over in January.\u201d It\u2019s about enjoying the holidays, supporting your biology, and setting yourself up for a New Year that actually sticks. In this episode, we cover:   Why holiday stress feels more intense after 40   How cortisol, sleep disruption, and blood sugar affect your mood, weight, and energy   Simple ways to enjoy holiday food without metabolic sabotage   Alcohol, hormones, and why intention matters more than avoidance   Supportive movement vs. punishment-based exercise   Why New Year\u2019s resolutions fail \u2014 and what works instead   How to create biology-aligned goals that last beyond February   If you\u2019ve ever felt like the holidays derail your health \u2014 or that January becomes a season of punishment \u2014 this episode will change how you approach both. Resources &amp;amp; Next Steps: Learn more about hormone, metabolism, and vitality optimization at PauseInstitute.com Explore pelvic and sexual wellness products at the Pelvic Floor Store Discounted Muse Headband at Muse Insight Timer and look for DrBetsyGreenleaf Because life doesn\u2019t decline after 40 \u2014 it evolves. ","author_name":"40s Forward","author_url":"https:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/520778","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/39489530\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/196775790"}