8 Healthy Habits To Develop In Your 20s

Simple habits that will change your life for the better!

lifestyle · 4 min

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.

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HologramHero 3 years ago

Creating a morning routine with these habits changed my life.

GravityRiderX 3 years ago

The compound effect of these small habits is truly remarkable.

Darla_Soft 3 years ago

Never realized how much screen time affected my sleep until I started the detox.

Hazel_Moore 3 years ago

Best thing about these habits is they're all free or very low cost.

SelfCareSanctuary 3 years ago

Remember it's progress over perfection with these habits.

LiveWithPurpose 3 years ago

These simple changes have completely transformed my daily routine.

Poniewozik_Post 3 years ago

Grateful for finding these habits early in my 20s instead of later.

TianaM 3 years ago

The morning walk sets such a positive tone for the entire day.

StretchAndStrength 3 years ago

My mental clarity has improved significantly since starting meditation.

LunarFlare 3 years ago

Started with just 5 minutes of each habit and gradually increased.

Sarai99 3 years ago

These habits helped me break out of my depression cycle.

AdelineH 3 years ago

The hardest part was being consistent but it gets easier with time.

Lillian-Claire 3 years ago

Meditation helped me become less reactive and more thoughtful in daily life.

Jenna_Smiles 3 years ago

Can't stress enough how important the sunscreen habit is. Future you will be grateful.

WyattFoster 3 years ago

Building these habits in my 20s has set me up for a healthier 30s.

HenryAllen 3 years ago

My sleep quality improved drastically after implementing the digital detox.

Elaine-Cobb 3 years ago

Walking meetings have been a game changer for my work-from-home routine.

OConnell_Observations 3 years ago

Making my bed felt pointless living alone but it really does affect my mindset.

AlainaH 3 years ago

I write my gratitude journal entries on my phone. Whatever works, right?

ZaharaJ 3 years ago

The sunscreen habit is especially important if you're using retinol or acids.

DarkCodeX 3 years ago

Started doing morning stretches and it's amazing how much more energized I feel.

Zoe 3 years ago

These habits helped me cope with anxiety better than medication did.

Mackenzie 3 years ago

Combining habits works well. I listen to audiobooks during my skincare routine.

Alice_Sunflower 3 years ago

The digital detox is crucial. Social media was wreaking havoc on my mental health.

Ramona_Dreamy 3 years ago

Finding time for walks was tough until I started scheduling them like meetings.

Fawn_Rose 3 years ago

Love how these habits compound over time. Small changes really do add up.

Dionne_Discussion 3 years ago

The gratitude practice helped me through some really dark times last year.

Douthat_Dossier 3 years ago

Stretching while watching Netflix makes it feel less like exercise and more like relaxation.

Benjamin-Frost 3 years ago

My productivity doubled since implementing the morning routine of bed making and meditation.

Fienberg_Feature 3 years ago

The hardest part is starting. Once these become routine it's actually enjoyable.

Vibe-With_Nature_17 3 years ago

Started with just one habit and built up slowly. Now doing 6 out of 8 consistently.

BrandonBuilds 3 years ago

These habits have helped my relationships too. I'm more present and less stressed.

Priscilla_Gleam 3 years ago

Found meditation difficult until I joined a group. The collective energy really helps.

Reasoner_Report 3 years ago

My skin looks so much better since I started daily sunscreen. Wish this was taught in schools.

GlowMode-On_17 3 years ago

I do my walks on a treadmill when weather is bad. Not as nice but still gets the job done.

HealthyBodyHappySoul 3 years ago

Walking every day sounds great until you live somewhere with terrible weather.

FearlessAndFree 3 years ago

I've noticed better sleep since starting the digital detox an hour before bed.

CharlotteX 3 years ago

The bed making habit seemed pointless at first but it really does set up a productive mindset.

Believe-Achieve_555 3 years ago

Try Huberman Lab for science-based self improvement. Changed my perspective on habits completely.

Marina-Kirk 3 years ago

Could use some podcast recommendations if anyone has favorites for personal development.

Evelyn_Clark 4 years ago

I thought gratitude journaling would be cheesy but it's actually helped me appreciate life more.

Mark_2003 4 years ago

The stretching tip is underrated. My back pain from desk work has improved so much since I started.

HarperRobinson 4 years ago

Been doing most of these for 6 months now and my anxiety levels have decreased significantly.

GratefulAndGrounded 4 years ago

These habits are great but let's be real, some days it's hard enough just getting out of bed.

RetroGamerX 4 years ago

Sunscreen is non-negotiable for me now. I use it even when working from home near windows.

Faith-Manning 4 years ago

Does anyone else struggle with finding good podcasts? There are so many options it's overwhelming.

Jillian-Hunt 4 years ago

I actually combine walking with audiobooks. Two habits in one and makes the walk more interesting!

Evelyn_Love99 4 years ago

Started doing these in my late 20s and wish I'd begun sooner. The compound effect of these habits is remarkable.

GraysonHenderson 4 years ago

The digital detox is harder now with remote work. Everything is on screens these days.

Grace_Light 4 years ago

Love how making my bed sets the tone for the day. When I come home to a tidy room it helps me relax better.

Hunter 4 years ago

I understand the time constraint but even 5 minutes of self-care can make a difference. We have to prioritize our health.

Maxine_Luxe 4 years ago

Some of these seem like privileged advice. Not everyone has time for daily walks and meditation when working multiple jobs.

Green_Gazette 4 years ago

I keep my journal by my bedside table and write in it first thing in the morning. Makes it much easier to remember and starts the day right.

AmandaTaylor 4 years ago

The gratitude journal thing sounds nice but I always forget to write in it after a few days. How do you stay consistent?

GenesisY 4 years ago

My posture improved dramatically after incorporating daily stretching. I do it while watching TV so it doesn't feel like a chore.

Lindsey_Daydream 4 years ago

These are great habits but implementing all at once seems overwhelming. I'm starting with just the morning walk and gratitude journal.

Grounded-And_Glowing_99 4 years ago

The sunscreen advice is spot on. Wish I'd started wearing it daily in my early 20s instead of waiting until I saw the first signs of aging.

Eliza-Nash 4 years ago

Never thought I'd say this but audiobooks changed my life! I listen while doing chores and it makes mundane tasks so much more enjoyable.

JosephBennett 4 years ago

I tried meditation apps but they weren't really helping. What worked for me was starting with just 2 minutes of deep breathing every morning.

SustainableSoul 4 years ago

Walking has been my salvation during tough times. I started with 10 minutes and now I'm up to 45 minutes daily. The mental clarity is amazing.

Yglesias_Yarns 4 years ago

Anyone else find meditation really challenging? I can't seem to quiet my mind for more than 30 seconds.

HarmonyAndHappiness 4 years ago

I struggle with the digital detox part. Anyone have tips on how to gradually reduce screen time? I feel like I'm addicted to my phone.

Olivia-Kate 4 years ago

Starting with making my bed every morning has actually helped me be more productive throughout the day. It's such a simple thing but really works!

Littleton_Lines 4 years ago

I've been trying to build better habits lately and this article really resonates with me. The gratitude journal has been a game changer for my mental health.