Healthy Habits Coach, Rachel Richards, shares this feature that may be of interest to female readers in their 40s and 50s. Ed
The beginning-of-term madness is finally subsiding, and many women over 40 are taking a deep breath, but instead of relief, what often follows is exhaustion.
After weeks of juggling schedules, buying essentials, and making sure everyone is where they need to be, the thought of putting our own needs first can feel almost impossible.
Supporting others through seasonal storms
It isn’t laziness or lack of willpower, it is something passed down through generations. For decades, women in midlife have been the roots that support families, workplaces, and communities through seasonal storms. Careers, children, partners, and often ageing parents have all taken priority.
By the time those demands begin to ease, the habit of placing everyone else first is so embedded that it feels selfish to shift the focus inward.
Navigating perimenopause and menopause
On top of that, many of us in our forties and fifties are navigating perimenopause and menopause. After years of silence, we now share our symptoms; fatigue, brain fog, and disrupted sleep (or any of the 30-plus other symptoms), and seek magic solutions from each other.
But hormonal turbulence means energy is already in short supply, and the idea of setting aside time to exercise, cook nourishing meals, or simply rest is pushed even further down the list.
A shift in mind-set
And yet, investing in personal wellbeing is exactly what is needed to make these challenges easier. When we give ourselves permission to move more, eat better, and rest properly, we notice improved energy, mood, and resilience.
Instead of “stealing time” from others, it’s fuelling our ability to give; at work, at home, and in our wider lives.
The shift starts with mindset: seeing self-care not as indulgent, but as essential maintenance. Just as a car needs fuel and servicing to run smoothly, our bodies and minds need attention to function well.
Claim time for yourself
As the dust settles after the hectic return to school, it’s a timely reminder for women over 40 to claim even small pockets of time for themselves.
Whether it’s a daily walk, a healthier lunch, or a quiet ten minutes with a book, these small acts build the foundation for long-term health and wellbeing.
Because by putting ourselves first, even just some of the time, everyone benefits.
