Start Your Physical Wellness Journey In Your 20s

Taking care of your body is crucial at any age, but getting a head start in your 20s, sets you up for a healthier and happier you. As an adult in your 20s, these years are more vibrant and full of life with a lot more agility and energy, which is a great advantage to your overall wellbeing as your body is flexible to move more, your metabolism is at its healthiest which translates to good digestive health and your body’s ability to reserve energy. And at this stage, your mental wellbeing is at its optimum, with a high level of productivity and efficiency. Start practicing taking care of yourself during this stage not only to live a healthy lifestyle but to eliminate any diseases and illnesses whilst managing your overall wellbeing, further increasing your endurance and strength. Not only will your body thank you in the years to come, but it boosts your mental wellbeing allowing you to function at your best. The key takeaway we would like to encourage is to start investing in your body now to live the best life in your 30s and 40s.

Start exercising more frequently by picking a fitness or exercise regimen, joining the gym, carving out time to exercise at home, taking a walk, running or joining a fitness group. This is the perfect time to experiment with what works for you, for your body and your lifestyle. You have a lot more energy and recovery to try out different fitness and exercise routines since your physical ability is your greatest asset at this stage. Take the time to research and understand what fitness routine will work for your body and your lifestyle. Use this time to stretch your body’s endurance and strength with strength training by lifting weights or bodyweight training. This allows your body to build muscle but interestingly enough, it allows your body to heal pain points with rigorous straining and stretching, with an intensity that can heal your body from pain.

This is also the opportune time to start eating healthy. Now turning 21 for many means it is the legal age to consume alcohol and take on a more active and stimulating lifestyle that involves smoking, substance consumption, active nightlife, and a few house parties here and there over the weekend. Whilst this is all fun and great, and no there is nothing wrong with enjoying your youth, unwinding with friends and getting a little relaxation, howsoever you choose. But in as much as your body is highly active at this stage, and a part of you is convinced you have the time to turn your wrongs into rights somewhere down the line, not everyone can share the same sentiment because our bodies are different. Some easily recover from a hangover or two, and some have pretty good genes to strongly bounce back. But even then, taking care of yourself shouldn’t be a second priority no matter how much time you have in your youth or years to come. Start eating healthy now, and moderately cut back on alcohol, substances, smoking or fast food take outs even if your schedule is busy and your career comes first. Your health is your wealth, and this is the stage to actively start to create a healthy diet, budget your restaurant dining and learn how to cook at home.

With all of the binge eating, career chasing fever, late night soirees and the occasional get-togethers; all of this can take a toll on your physical and mental health especially if you are lacking the adequate sleep and rest. Yes, sleep is crucial; no matter how much energy you have in your 20s – rest and rest well. Rest at this stage may seem boring and something that ‘old people do’, but at any stage in life (even as a toddler), you rested at some point and the same needs to be applied in 20s. Take in the recommended 8 to 10 hours of sleep and allow your body to rest from all the commitments and the busyness that comes with being a 20 year old. Carve out time to allow your body to rejuvenate before taking on the next activity or work. By sleeping an adequate 8 hours, it boosts your energy, increases your morale and regulates your hormones allowing you to be mentally sharp and productive whether at home, at work or with close family and friends. Just as your physical health is important, your mental health is also a crucial priority in your 20s.

Did you know adequate hours of sleep do wonders for your skin? Coupled with an effective skincare routine; your skin will be healthy and glowing and yes it will thank you for years to come. Invest in a skincare routine in your 20s that tackles all the pain points of acne, dark spots, sunburns. Invest in sunscreen, depending on your skin tone and region; the recommended is SPF 30. Purchase a light, non-greasy sunscreen lotion or spray that is light on the skin does not clog your pores allowing your skin to breathe, and effortlessly complements your day from morning to night. We recommend OLITA Sunscreen Mineral Lotion and Sunstick. Another option is to purchase a daily moisturizer that is SPF approved if layering products is not your cup of tea. Research on daily moisturizers that are SPF approved allowing for easy everyday application, that both protects your skin but keeps you going for the rest of your day. This is the perfect time to experiment with a day and night skincare routine with hundreds of products to research and experiment till you find the right fit for your skin. UltraViolet Skincare’s Mini Trio’s gives you the opportunity to experiment with 3 products, to test and find a suitable combination before the full investment. Bonus points are that this trio is small enough to travel with you at any time.

Finally, start scheduling in your yearly doctor visits and check-ups. Look into your reproductive health if you are sexually active or if you are married and are considering children in the near future. This is the stage to start monitoring any diet deficiencies, blood pressure, any family-related health issues (such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes), cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings for women, and prostate cancer screening for men. Go to therapy or join a group session to take care of your mental wellbeing. Try new and fun activities outside the gym that include bungee jumping, water rafting, rock climbing and take yourself on a travel adventure outside of your hometown, neighborhood, or community. This will boost your morale as exploring improves your physical wellbeing thereby improving your mental wellbeing as you try new things, experience new cultures, and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Use your 20s as the perfect time to establish healthy habits.