For years, we were told that eating fat makes you gain weight — that “light” meant healthy and oil was something to fear. But our bodies, especially after 40, tell a different story. In this episode of Thrive at 40+, Anastasia unpacks the real science behind fats and oils: why women need them for hormone balance, brain health, glowing skin, and emotional stability.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between good and bad fats
• Why healthy oils support hormones, mood, and metabolism
• The five essential oils every woman should have in her kitchen
• How to rebuild a peaceful, intuitive relationship with food

This is slow wellness — practical, grounded, and free from diet extremes. Pour yourself a cup of tea, drizzle that olive oil without guilt, and tune in.

Follow Anastasia on Instagram → @thriveat40plus

Explore slow-wellness products and Barrière vitamin patches → www.havuwellness.com

When a woman grows up without enough love, the wound doesn’t disappear — it just hides behind strength, perfectionism, and people-pleasing. In this episode of Thrive at 40+, we explore emotional healing, self-love, and reparenting your inner child — gently, without blame or shame.

You’ll hear how childhood emotional neglect shapes adult relationships, confidence, and even physical wellbeing. We’ll talk about midlife healing — how women after 40 begin to notice the quiet ache of being “unseen,” and how true self-compassion and emotional balance can finally grow in its place.

This episode is for every woman who’s tired of being strong all the time.

For anyone ready to understand, soften, and start giving herself the love she missed.

Because healing isn’t about changing your past — it’s about changing how you treat yourself now.

And you were always worthy of love, even before anyone showed it to you. 🌿

Mentioned in this episode:

– My wellness webstore havuwellness.com - discover Barrière vitamin patches, a simple, natural way to support your energy, mood, and hormonal balance. Shipping across the Nordics, Baltics, and Central Europe.

– Follow me on Instagram @thriveat40plus for reflections on slow wellness, mental health, and balanced living after 40.

Feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or constantly “on”? In this episode of Thrive at 40+, we slow down and step outside — literally. 🌿

Join me as I explore how time in nature supports mental health, stress relief, and emotional balance. You’ll learn how even a few minutes outdoors can lower cortisol, calm your nervous system, and bring back that grounded feeling we all crave after 40.

I’ll share why our bodies instinctively relax in natural spaces, how modern life has pulled us away from that rhythm, and simple ways to reconnect — even if you live in a city. Expect gentle mindfulness moments, science made simple, and personal reflections from Finnish forests.

Because nature isn’t an escape. It’s a return.

And the forest doesn’t fix you — it reminds you that you were never broken.

My wellness webstore havuwellness.com — discover Barrière vitamin patches, a clean and easy way to support your body with vitamins like B12 and D, shipped within the Nordics, Baltics, and Central Europe.

Follow me on Instagram @thriveat40plus for daily slow wellness inspiration — food, movement, rituals, and real life after 40.

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’m not like other women”?

In this episode, we explore where that quiet need to be “chosen” comes from — and how so many of us learned, often without realizing it, to please, adapt, and shrink ourselves just to feel safe, seen, and loved.

I share my own story of unlearning the “pick-me” pattern — from being agreeable and easygoing to finally embracing my full, authentic voice.

You’ll hear about how social conditioning, media ideals, and early praise for being “the good girl” shaped our generation — and how to slowly break free from that cycle with compassion and awareness.

This episode is a gentle reminder that you don’t have to be different to be worthy.

You don’t have to earn your place.

You don’t need to be chosen — you already belong.

Mentioned in this episode:

🌿 Barrière vitamin patches — available at havuwellness.com, shipped within Nordic Europe, the Baltics, and Central Europe

🌿 Follow me on Instagram: @thriveat40+ for more slow wellness inspiration

Female empowerment, people-pleasing, self-worth, authenticity, slow wellness, midlife growth, mental health for women over 40

Food should be simple — but today, it feels more complicated than ever. Carbs are called the enemy, sugar is labeled poison, gluten and lactose are feared, and every week there’s a new diet trend promising perfection. No wonder so many women feel stressed about eating.

In this episode of Thrive at 40+: The Slow Wellness Podcast, I explore what healthy eating really means — without extremes, fear, or endless rules. I’ll share my own food philosophy, practical tips, and gentle reminders that eating well is about balance, not obsession.

Here’s what you’ll hear:

🌿 Why every macronutrient matters — carbs, protein, fats, and fiber all have their place.

🌿 The truth about nutrition trends — sugar, gluten, and lactose aren’t villains unless you have real medical reasons.

🌿 Why cooking simple meals at home is more powerful than chasing “perfect” diets.

🌿 The hidden traps of buffets and overeating “for value.”

🌿 How often should we eat? The breakfast debate — and why it’s completely individual.

🌿 Building a healthy relationship with food: why balance beats restriction, every time.

This episode is for women who are tired of diet confusion, done with fear-driven food culture, and ready to create a calm, joyful relationship with eating.

Follow me on Instagram @thriveat40+ for daily slow wellness inspiration, sample meal ideas, and more balance in your life.

Why do so many women feel like they’re constantly falling short — no matter how much they do? The answer lies in the invisible weight of social pressure. From body image to career to family roles, women have been told for generations how they “should” look, act, and live. And after 40, those expectations don’t always fade — sometimes, they grow louder.

In this episode of Thrive at 40+: The Slow Wellness Podcast, I share a personal and honest reflection on the pressures women face — and how to release them. We’ll explore where these pressures come from, how they shape daily life, and what they cost us emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Most importantly, I’ll guide you through gentle, practical ways to set down the weight of expectation and step into a life that feels more authentic, balanced, and joyful.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

🌿 Where social pressure comes from: culture, family, media, and social media

🌿 How it shows up in daily life — body, career, motherhood, relationships

🌿 The hidden costs: stress, burnout, loss of identity

🌿 Tools to release the pressure — awareness, boundaries, redefining success, joy as rebellion

🌿 A closing mantra to carry with you through the week

This episode is for every woman in her late 30s, 40s, or beyond who’s tired of proving, performing, and comparing — and ready to live life on her own terms.

Follow me on Instagram @thriveat40+ for more inspiration and slow wellness reminders.

Hormones are the invisible forces that shape how we feel, look, and live. They affect our energy, mood, weight, sleep, skin, and even our relationships. After 40, many of us start noticing their influence more than ever — and finding balance becomes essential.

In this episode of Thrive at 40+: The Slow Wellness Podcast, I share a compassionate, practical guide to female hormones through the key stages of womanhood: fertile years, premenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. You’ll learn what’s really happening in your body, what risks may show up, and how to support balance at every step of the journey.

Here’s what we’ll explore together:

🌿 Fertile years — how estrogen and progesterone create rhythm and energy, and why healthy habits now build resilience for later.

🌿 Premenopause — the first hormonal dips, mood swings, cycle changes, and how strength training, protein, and stress care make a difference.

🌿 Menopause — what’s happening with estrogen, progesterone, and FSH, plus real tools for hot flashes, sleep issues, and bone health.

🌿 Postmenopause — living with low, stable hormones, reducing risks of osteoporosis and heart disease, and embracing new freedom.

🌿 Universal tools — the wellness foundations that support hormonal balance at any age: sleep, food, stress relief, and check-ups.

If you’re a woman in your late 30s, 40s, or beyond who wants to understand hormones without fear or extremes, this episode will give you clarity, encouragement, and actionable steps to thrive.

Follow me on Instagram @thriveat40+ for more resources, including daily wellness inspiration and practical tips.

For centuries, women’s bodies have been treated like fashion trends — from curvy Renaissance figures to the “heroin chic” 90s to today’s mix of fitness and slim ideals. But beauty has never had just one size, and health certainly doesn’t either.

In this episode of Thrive at 40+: The Slow Wellness Podcast, I share a fresh, compassionate perspective on weight control. You’ll hear why skinny doesn’t automatically equal health or beauty, how to embrace your genetics and body type, and what’s truly normal in women’s bodies — from hormonal fat tissue to cellulite. We’ll also talk honestly about the risks of excess visceral fat, and how caring for your weight is about protecting your future self, not punishing your present self.

Most importantly, you’ll get practical, sustainable tips for weight control that actually work:

- Why good sleep is essential for metabolism and hormone balance.

- The basics of healthy eating — good carbs, enough protein, fiber, vegetables, and fruit.

- How to spot hidden sugars in juices, sauces, and processed foods.

- Why cooking simple meals from scratch gives you more control.

- And why balance always beats extremes (yes, cake is still allowed!).

If you’re a woman in your late thirties, forties, or beyond who is tired of diet culture and wants to find peace with food, body, and health — this episode is for you.

You can also find a sample week menu with flexible swaps on my Instagram @thriveat40+.