The holidays are supposed to be joyful — 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'll learn why your body responds differently to stress, sugar, alcohol, late nights, and family dynamics in midlife — and how to navigate the season with grace, strategy, and self-leadership instead of burnout.

This episode is not about restriction, detoxes, or "starting over in January."
It's about enjoying the holidays, supporting your biology, and setting yourself up for a New Year that actually sticks.

• 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's resolutions fail — and what works instead

• How to create biology-aligned goals that last beyond February

If you've ever felt like the holidays derail your health — or that January becomes a season of punishment — this episode will change how you approach both.

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Because life doesn't decline after 40 — it evolves.