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.
Opinions and Perspectives
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.
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!
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.
Anyone else find meditation really challenging? I can't seem to quiet my mind for more than 30 seconds.
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.
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.
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.
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.
These are great habits but implementing all at once seems overwhelming. I'm starting with just the morning walk and gratitude journal.
My posture improved dramatically after incorporating daily stretching. I do it while watching TV so it doesn't feel like a chore.
The gratitude journal thing sounds nice but I always forget to write in it after a few days. How do you stay consistent?
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.
Some of these seem like privileged advice. Not everyone has time for daily walks and meditation when working multiple jobs.
I understand the time constraint but even 5 minutes of self-care can make a difference. We have to prioritize our health.
Love how making my bed sets the tone for the day. When I come home to a tidy room it helps me relax better.