Struggling with sleep in midlife?

You’re doing everything “right.”
You’ve cut back on sugar, started walking more, maybe even swapped your evening scroll for a book. But the 3 a.m. wake-ups still come—and you’re left wondering, Why can’t I just sleep?

If that sounds familiar, I want you to know this:
You’re not doing anything wrong.
You’re not broken.
Your sleep has shifted because you have shifted.

And now, it’s time to gently shift with it.

In a recent episode of Women’s Health Unwrapped, I sat down with sleep consultant Imogen Russell to explore why sleep often feels harder in midlife—and what we can actually do about it.

This isn’t about miracle cures or fancy supplements. It’s about understanding your body, tuning in to what it needs now, and building small, meaningful habits that support the rest you deserve.

Nancy’s story: early menopause and a wake-up call

Nancy was diagnosed with osteopenia (a precursor to osteoporosis) after entering menopause at 43. She had all the classic midlife responsibilities—children, career, a packed diary—and, like so many of us, had put herself at the bottom of the list.

That diagnosis was her turning point.

She began walking every day, lifting weights, adjusting her nutrition, and learning how to work with her body instead of against it. She focused on sleep, recovery, and consistency—not perfection. And today, her bone health has improved without needing medication.

Do you wake up excited to start the day—or do you hit snooze, already feeling behind?

If energy is something you’ve been chasing (or feel like you’ve lost), you’re not alone. In midlife, many women find themselves tired, wired, and wondering where their spark has gone. But the truth is: energy isn’t just about sleep or caffeine. It’s about how you live, what you value, and whether you’re truly present in your own life.

In this blog, I’m pulling together some incredible insights from my recent podcast conversation with Charlotte Carter, a high performance coach and energy mentor who helps women feel good again.

So many women have spent years—decades, even—believing that being thinner will make them more confident, more attractive, more successful, more accepted. That thinness is the goal. That happiness is on the other side of a smaller dress size.

What we’re not told is that weight is not the best indicator of health. And that chasing it without looking at the bigger picture can do more harm than good.

If you’d told teenage me that one day I’d be a personal trainer, I would’ve laughed. PE was a source of stress, embarrassment and discomfort. I didn’t feel sporty, coordinated, or confident. Like so many women, I spent years believing that movement just wasn’t “for me.”

In my twenties, I joined a gym because I thought I needed to lose weight to feel better — to fix what was wrong with me. I didn’t enjoy it. I dipped in and out. I forced myself to go, but never really felt connected to what I was doing.

What if losing your hair meant losing a part of your identity? For many women, hair is deeply intertwined with confidence, self-worth, and emotional well-being. Whether due to cancer, alopecia, or other health conditions, hair loss can be an incredibly challenging experience—one that goes beyond appearance and touches the core of who they are.

Nicola Wood, founder of The Wonderful Wig Company, TEDx speaker, and author, shares the emotional and psychological impact of hair loss.

For so long, I saw food as the enemy—something to control, measure, and restrict. But food isn’t just fuel; it’s nourishment for both body and mind.

Instead of obsessing over calories, I started thinking about how food made me feel. What gave me energy? What helped my digestion? What supported my mood?

If you’ve spent years trying different diets, chasing a number on the scale, and feeling like nothing ever truly works, this post is for you.

There’s a narrative around midlife that many of us have unconsciously absorbed—the idea that once we hit our forties and fifties, things start going downhill. But what if midlife isn’t the beginning of the end but the start of something incredible?

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the changes that perimenopause and menopause bring, this blog is here to remind you that you are not past it. You are just getting started.

If you’ve been ignoring your pelvic floor health, it’s time to rethink that decision. Did you know that poor pelvic floor health can lead to a variety of issues like incontinence, pelvic pain, and even lower back discomfort? In this blog post, we’ll explore why pelvic floor health should be a priority for women, particularly during midlife and menopause, and how you can take simple, actionable steps to strengthen this vital part of your body.

Struggling to break free from unhealthy habits? Discover three simple, actionable steps to create lasting health changes in this inspiring podcast episode. Learn how to rewire your mindset, overcome common barriers, and build habits that align with your goals. Dive into expert insights and practical strategies to transform your health journey today!

When my anxiety started in 1995 the word wasn’t even applied to what I was feeling, even by the doctor. In fact I remember him referring to it as ‘another funny turn’.

On the outside it appeared I was living a very normal life and doing what someone very normal did, but on the inside I felt everything was rapidly closing in on me.

To acknowledge and celebrate International Women’s Day 2023 and the Embrace Equity focus for this year, it’s time to get clear on why women living healthily is key to driving the changes that we need for a fair world.