8 Healthy Habits To Develop In Your 20s

We all want to live a long and happy life but only a few of us include healthy habits in our daily routine to maintain our physical and mental health.

Adding more things to your already busy schedule may seem like a daunting and unnecessary task at first, but it’s worth the results.

All it takes is a little discipline and initiative to make these simple habits a part of your life. Your 20s can be a stressful time in your life with drastic changes in lifestyle, which is why it’s important to prioritize your health and get into the habit of taking care of yourself.  

1. Keep a gratitude journal

A gratitude journal is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to practice gratitude every day. All you have to do is write about three things you’re grateful for every day.

It only takes two minutes to do, yet it can drastically change your day. By keeping a gratitude journal, you develop a practice that keeps you accountable for developing an appreciation and enjoying happier days instead of focusing on negative feelings.

It’s a great idea to write in your journal as soon as you wake up. Thinking about all the things and people you’re grateful for will surely set you up for a great day! 

2. Go for a walk every day 

We all know the health benefits of walking, increased cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness, reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, stronger bones, and improved balance.

However, a good walk can also do wonders for your mental health. A good walk not only helps in improving self-perception, self-esteem, mood, and sleep quality, but also in reducing stress, anxiety, and fatigue.

It can help you connect with nature and the fresh air will surely leave you feeling rejuvenated and awake. 

3. Practice meditation regularly

Being mindful and enjoying life is so important yet it can be hard to do when life is full of distractions and stress.

Meditating every day even for a few minutes can help you be more mindful and aware. When you practice mindfulness, you can carry it out to everyday life.

Mindfulness helps you to savor life, change habits, live simply and slowly, be present in everything you do.

Daily meditation can even help you perform better at work. The research found that meditation helps increase your focus and attention and improves your ability to multitask. Meditation helps clear our minds and focus on the present moment – which gives you a huge productivity boost. 

4. Make your bed every morning

This might sound like a cliché, but making your bed every morning can really help you in many ways. A clean and organized environment is important in order to be productive and positive.

If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to accomplish everything on your to-do list one by one. 

5. Start listening to audiobooks and podcasts to keep you on track

We all aim to read more books but it’s often hard to find the time to do so because of our busy routines. Audiobooks and podcasts are a great alternative to reading.

You can easily listen to them while driving to work or while doing some cleaning. Audiobooks have the power to boost your moods and disrupt negative thinking patterns. 

6. Get a stretch in 

Regular stretching helps increase your range of motion in the joints, improves blood circulation, and moreover, when you stretch, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. It can also help improve your posture and flexibility. 

7. Do a digital detox 

Spending all day in front of a screen can be harmful not only for the eyes but for the mind as well. It is easy to feel discouraged and indulge in comparison when you see people living their best life on social media.

Switch off your phone and relax for ten minutes every day to enjoy life. It’ll help you regain a realistic perspective, making sure you don’t miss out on important moments in your life. 

8. Wear sunscreen every day 

Wearing sunscreen is one of the best and easiest ways to protect your skin's appearance and health at any age.

Used regularly, sunscreen helps prevent sunburn, skin cancer, and premature aging. All skin types need sunscreen to prevent sunburn and the health-damaging effects of UV rays from the sun.

Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97 percent of the sun's UVB rays. 

Take out some time every day to look after yourself by including these small healthy habits in your daily routine.

Small habits can often make a huge difference. Starting out in your 20s will help you be consistent with these habits throughout your life and you’ll soon notice a positive change in your moods, health, body, productivity, and personal relationships.