40 and Feeling Better Than I Did in My 20s

Hey y’all! ✨

Turning 40 this year feels like stepping into my best chapter yet. I’m chasing my boys around our mountain home in Sun Valley, keeping up with ski days, kitchen messes, and all the beautiful chaos of family life — and honestly? I feel stronger, clearer, and more radiant than I did in my 20s. It hasn’t happened overnight. It’s come from a gentle shift to low-tox living, nourishing my body with real food, moving in ways I actually love, and layering in wellness rituals and clean beauty practices that support me from the inside out.

I’m sharing this not as “perfect” advice (because perfection isn’t the goal here at SBK Living), but as encouragement for any busy mom who wants to feel her best without adding more pressure. One doable swap, one joyful ritual at a time. Here’s what’s worked for me.

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The Foundation: Low-Tox Living as a Lifestyle

Over the years, I’ve slowly transitioned our home and daily routines to lower-toxin options. This isn’t about tossing everything out at once — it’s progress over perfection. Swapping to non-toxic cleaners, organic bedding and towels, PFAS-free products, and mindful choices in the kitchen and bathroom has made a huge difference in how I feel day-to-day. Less inflammation, better sleep, and that deep sense of a calm, supportive sanctuary for our family.

My nervous system thanks me every evening with our wind-down rituals — full-spectrum daylight during the day, warm/red lighting at night, and simple swaps that reduce daily stress.

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Eating Clean & Protein-Heavy for Sustained Energy

Fueling my body with clean, nourishing foods has been game-changing. I focus on high-protein meals that keep me full and steady, especially as a busy mom. Think:

Iced collagen lattes (my daily ritual with Carnivore Aurelius Pure Collagen Peptides)

Chocolate peanut butter energy balls (loaded with oats, protein, cacao, and super seeds — the perfect grab-and-go snack the whole family loves)

Protein-packed oatmeal bowls or strawberry collagen smoothies with flaxseed for hormone support

Gluten-free family favorites loaded with super seeds, berries, and clean ingredients

No strict rules — just real food that tastes good and supports my energy for hiking, playing with Ford and West, and everything in between.

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Clean Beauty & Skin Treatments

My skin has transformed with cleaner products and intentional care. I use the EWG and YUKA app to look up products and ingredients. A few brands I love are: Dime Beauty, True Botanicals, Primally Pure, Agent Nateur and Shelter Skin.

I love these skin treatments that feel luxurious yet effective:

Gua Sha – for lymphatic drainage and that sculpted glow. I have a how-to reel on my Instagram here.

Microneedling – a few times a year AND I just got a pen to try it at home.

CoolPeel laser – I’ve shared my full experience and healing here on the blog — highly recommend looking into it! Here is my recovery video day-by day here.

IPL – I’ve consistently done this for the past 10 years as I needed it. It has helped with my hyper pigmentation (brown spots). I have a post all about it here.

Face taping – 3–4 times a week as a natural way to soften lines- blog post about it here.

LED masks – for that extra boost of radiance and recovery. I have the Dr. Dennis Gross full face mask.

It’s all about supporting your skin’s natural health.

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Movement I Actually Love

I’ve learned that consistency comes from joy, not punishment. My go-to movement includes:

Pilates makes me feel strong and aligned.

Strength training a few times a week for my long term health.

Hiking our beautiful Idaho trails.

Walking with friends (the best therapy!)

Weighted vest walks for extra strength and grounding.

Rebounding or my vibration plate — my favorite “poop hack” for digestion and recovery.

These activities fit into our mountain life and leave me feeling energized rather than drained.

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Recovery & Detox Rituals

I prioritize recovery and detox practices that help my body feel its best, especially with an active family life in the mountains.

Sauna sessions have become one of my favorite non-negotiables. I love the deep sweat for detox support, muscle recovery, and that incredible post-sauna calm. I aim for a few times a week when my schedule allows — it’s such a soothing ritual that leaves me feeling lighter and more refreshed. Here is the exact Sauna I have: Finnleo Hallmark 57

I also rely heavily on red light therapy to reduce inflammation and promote overall wellness. In our bedroom, I have a full-length Emertek panel that I use regularly. Sometimes I pair it with my vibration plate for an extra boost of detox and lymphatic drainage. These tools fit beautifully into our nervous system-friendly home and make a noticeable difference in how I feel day to day.

These practices all fit beautifully into our nervous system-friendly home and make a noticeable difference in how I feel day to day.

Another supportive practice I love is castor oil liver packs — they’re a gentle, soothing addition to my detox routine that helps me feel more balanced. I use organic, hexane free oil – here’s my favorite brand: Queen of the Thrones. I have a how-to video on my Instagram here.

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My Explant Journey

Two years ago, getting my explant was truly transformative. It marked a significant turning point in my journey toward living healthier and feeling my absolute best. Removing my implants helped reduce inflammation and supported my overall wellness in ways I didn’t fully anticipate at the time. The entire experience reinforced how important it is to listen closely to my body and make choices that prioritize long-term health over external ideals. It empowered me to continue building a lifestyle rooted in feeling good from the inside out — for myself and for showing up fully for my family. More about my explant experience here.

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The Big Picture: Progress, Not Perfection

At 40, I feel better because I’ve stopped chasing unrealistic standards and started listening to what my body, mind, and family need. Low-tox living, clean eating, joyful movement, recovery tools, and clean beauty aren’t about looking a certain way — they’re about feeling vibrant enough to show up fully for the life I love.

If you’re in your 30s, 40s, or beyond and wondering if it’s possible to feel this good, I’m here to tell you: yes. Start small. Pick one swap or ritual that excites you. Your version will look different than mine, and that’s the beauty of it.

What’s one thing you’re loving in your wellness routine right now? Drop it in the comments — I read every single one and love learning from our SBK community. 💛

One doable swap at a time, Kasey