There are certain habits that, however small, have the ability to make us healthy and happy. If you can master these healthy habits by 30, then you are well on your way to feeling and being your best self.
Full disclosure: I did not master all of these habits by 30. But I wish I had. I wish someone had pointed them out to me and said, “Do this, really. It will make a world of difference, you’ll see.”
But instead, I bumbled around myself, discovering things as I went and realizing which habits made me feel better and sometimes even look better. But mostly, they made my life easier, more comfortable, and healthier.
In this post, I’ll share 10 healthy habits that you should try to master by 30, or however old you may be. They will help you have better health, better relationships, and be more able to handle life as it happens. So here we go…
10 Healthy Habits to Master By 30
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Drink enough water
Yes, water again. But seriously, you need to drink enough water each day, not only to avoid being parched, but to hydrate your skin and body. Water flushes out toxins and water we’re retaining, and it revitalizes our bodies. It makes us more alert. It also keeps us from overeating as we often misread the hungry and thirst cues our body sends. Drink 8-11 cups of water each day. I use this water bottle with a time marker to help me keep on track to reach my water goal.
Wear sunscreen
I know I sound like your mom, but I mean it – wear sunscreen. Skin cancer is no joke and neither are the numerous ways that the sun can damage your face and other areas of skin with its rays. Dark spots, enlarged freckles and other dermatological concerns trump a golden glow. Choose an SPF of at least 30 and reapply often to save your skin from up to 97% of UVB rays. I also like this facial sunscreen that has a light tint so I can skip makeup: Supergoop! CC Screen SPF 50.
Have regular checkups
See your doctor regularly. Don’t skip on the yearly checkups and bloodwork, the yearly exam at the gynecologist, or any tests or scans they order for you. Make sure you get a teeth cleaning every 6 months. See the eye doctor yearly. Doing all of these things will ensure that your health is top-notch and any issues are addressed quickly and efficiently before they become big issues. When it comes to health, ignorance is not bliss.
Have a nightly skin care routine
This healthy habit revitalized my skin care by caring for it like I never bothered to do in my 20s. Washing my face every night, applying toner, vitamin C serum, face cream, and Vitamin E on my under eye area has helped my skin take on a healthy glow. Avoid the crepe paper-like feel of dry skin by creating a nightly routine that includes face skin care, applying lotion to your body, and brushing and flossing your teeth. Your older self will thank you.
Eat your vegetables
Yes, now I really do sound like a mom. But vegetables are an important part of our meals and should not be skimped on. Eating them first helps you stabilize your glucose levels when the carbs and proteins are eaten after. They are filled with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber that help you protect against and shed free radicals and other unhealthy elements. Use those microwavable pouches of veggies for a quick and easy way to include them in your meals.
Have deep friendships
When we’re younger, we tend to have a big circle of friends that are fun and varied, but sometimes shallow. We enjoy surface things with them, but not deep conversations and connections, except with a select few. Pruning some of the more shallow relationships and deepening the ones that are left will leave you with a strong support network and a connection to others that will only enrich your life.
Get enough sleep
We hardly ever do, but making a concerted effort to get the required 7-9 hours of sleep will make a world of difference in your life. You’ll be more alert and less dependent on caffeine to power you. You’ll eat less because we tend to snack and overeat when we’re tired. If you get yourself into a nightly routine that helps you fall asleep faster and more deeply (e.g. a dark room, no blue light from your phone, the right temperature, etc.) then you’ll reap the rewards of a better sleep that will have you waking up to life alert and ready.
Exercise
Before you think I’m talking about grueling workouts to get you in shape and lose weight, let me stop you by saying exercise is important for other reasons. And it doesn’t have to be hard to be healthy. Sitting is the new smoking, they say, and many of us have sedentary jobs and lives that can put us in danger of health problems later on. So be active now, so you can avoid those issues later. You may become more fit, but that’s not the overall goal. I suggest exercise like walking, yoga, hiking, and group activities that are as much social as they are about being healthy.
Eat sugar in moderation
I love sugar, so let me say that I know that those of you with sweet tooths must find this hard. But getting a hold of your sugar cravings and cutting back to a moderate amount will do more than help you lose weight (which usually happens when sugar is limited). It will improve your skin, keep you from retaining so much water, and avoid cravings for more. Having a certain amount of sweets each day and not exceeding it will help you control your urge for sugar, as well as keep your body running well. Sugar spikes glucose levels and dehydrates us, so eating it in moderation is a healthy habit you’ll want to adopt.
Love yourself
While many people will love us in our lives, no one can love us like we can. I believe that God made us just as He wanted us to be and realizing that, knowing that we are perfect as we are, flaws and all, can help us love ourselves truly. Caring for yourself this way will make you a more generous person, one who can more easily love others because that love is in you. You’ll be more confident, peaceful, and someone others gravitate toward because when you love yourself, that light shines out to others like a beacon.
I hope that these 10 healthy habits are ones you will try to master because they will truly change your life. They will make your more happy, healthy, and confident in life. And no matter how old you are, it’s never too early or late to start taking care of your mind, body, and soul.
Looking for more on self care and wellness? Check out these posts:
The Best Homemade Natural Beauty Remedies on a Budget – Part One
What Happens When You Let Yourself Run on Empty
5 Ways to Relieve Stress Right Now
7 Self Care Routines You Need While Homeschooling
[Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own and I never recommend anything I haven’t used myself and loved.]
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