Why Your Body Is Struggling in Your 40s with Maeve O'Sullivan

So many women reach their late 30s and 40s and suddenly feel like their body isn't responding the way it used to. Sleep changes, stress feels harder to handle, digestion shifts and the habits you once relied on don't seem to work anymore.

Becca is joined by Maeve O'Sullivan, a former nurse trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, to explore a different way of understanding the body.

They discuss why women often wake around 3am, the Chinese medicine organ clock and the connection between sleep, stress and the liver. Maeve explains yin and yang, why constantly pushing through can become harder in perimenopause and how acupuncture may support sleep, stress and hormonal balance.

They also explore why more isn't always better, why how you eat matters as much as what you eat, and reconnecting with your body's signals.

If you're doing everything "right" but still don't feel like yourself, this offers a different perspective on sleep, stress, hormones and women's health.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why women commonly wake around 3am according to Chinese medicine

• How stress and perimenopause can change what your body can tolerate

• What yin and yang can teach us about balancing stress, exercise and rest

• How acupuncture may support sleep, stress and hormonal balance

• Why cold breakfasts and smoothies may not suit everyone

• Why how you eat can matter as much as what you eat

• How to stop adding more and listen to what your body needs

Join the Rebalance Membership for support with sleep, stress and nervous system regulation

CHAPTERS

[00:00] Why You Keep Waking Up at 3AM

[00:58] Meet Maeve O'Sullivan: From Nursing to Chinese Medicine

[05:21] What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

[09:23] Why Women Feel Different in Their 40s

[13:11] When Your Blood Tests Are Normal But You Don't Feel Well

[18:24] Why You Can't Keep Pushing Through in Perimenopause

[19:26] The Chinese Medicine Organ Clock Explained

[21:44] Why You Wake Up Between 11PM and 3AM

[24:47] Why Alcohol Affects You Differently in Perimenopause

[26:21] Yin & Yang: Balancing Stress, Exercise & Rest

[30:09] How Acupuncture Affects the Nervous System

[33:55] Acupuncture for Sleep, Stress & Hormonal Balance

[38:37] How Your Body Moves Into Rest & Repair

[41:15] Nutrition, Inflammation & Perimenopause

[43:00] Why How You Eat Matters as Much as What You Eat

[43:17] Why Cold Smoothies May Not Suit Your Digestion

[46:15] Stop Following Every Wellness Trend

[47:02] Stress, Food & the Blue Zones

[48:23] Supplements, Coffee, Alcohol & Listening to Your Body

[49:23] Where to Find Maeve O'Sullivan

[50:18] Becca's Final Takeaway & Rebalance Membership

CONNECT & LEARN MORE:

Becca HollandYou can connect with me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube at @healthwithholland, where I share practical education on nervous system regulation, women's health and sustainable behaviour change.

If you enjoyed this episode, I'd really appreciate you subscribing, leaving a review or sharing it with someone who might find it helpful.

Ready to go deeper? Join the Rebalance Membership for simple, practical support with nervous system regulation, sleep and building habits that support your body:

https://healthwithholland.com/r_membershp_/

You'll also find courses, resources and more podcast episodes at: healthwithholland.com

Maeve O'Sullivan

You can connect with Maeve O'Sullivan and Escapada Health on Instagram, where she shares insights on Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture and women's health.

Maeve spent 15 years as a nurse before training in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Through Escapada Health, she supports women with sleep, stress, hormonal health and understanding their bodies more deeply.

Maeve offers treatments at Escapada Health in Dún Laoghaire and online health coaching.

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