(Take it from this seasoned 28-year-old.)
It also doesnt help that were often told were so young!
and have nothing to worry about!
David Urbanke
even when it may not feel that way.
Youre looking out for Current You and Future You.
With that in mind, here are nine health habits experts recommend nailing down in your 20s.
Check in with a primary care doctor once a year.
Sure, options like visiting the nearesturgent care centercan be great in a pinch.
This means finding a great doctor you trust whose approach and values align with yours, Dr. Tully explains.
The next step is making (and keeping) anannual checkupwith that person.
This will help you stay up-to-date on general health screenings and build aclinical history.
Find ways to move that you actually enjoy.
You already know that gettingexerciseis essential to good health at any age.
But incorporating working out into your regular routine in your 20s can set the stage for lifelong physical activity.
Your 20s are a great time to get into this habit of exercise, Dr. Snyder says.
If you havent yet discovered what kind of physical activity you really enjoy, nows the time to experiment.
Maybe you like to knock it out with spurts offull-body HIITor take your sweet time insavasana.
Fromhikingtorowingto, hell,underwater rock running, there are so many possibilities out there.
What time of day works best?
How many times a week is realistic?
Dotrendy boutique classesor agym membershipfit into your budget, or are you more intoappsorno-equipment,at-homeworkouts?
Here are some moretipson starting a fitness routine from scratch if you have zero idea where to start.
Learn to cook a few things that you actually like eating.
If your culinary prowess is currently limited to the microwave, its worth getting more comfortable in the kitchen.
Learning how to cook is such a vital skill to cement in your 20s, Dr. Snyder says.
Incorporateseasoningsyouve never tried, whip up a gourmet version of achildhood favorite, or join theslow-cookermovement.
Cooking doesnt have to be hard, so dont feel intimidated.
There are tons ofunfussy, budget-friendly recipesout there.
People in every decade of lifeare missing out on valuable rest.
But, dont do this.
The drawbacks of sleep deprivation arent just limited to next-day irritation and brain fog.
If youre already prone to health issues such asanxietyanddepression, chronic sleep deprivation could leave you even more vulnerable.
If you drive while too tired, your drowsiness couldput your life at risk.
Yes, this might feel impossible in your 20s.
You dont have to be perfectjust try.
Carve out time for regular stress relief.
Clearly, your 20s can be full of upheaval.
To cope, figure out what forms ofself-careand stress management help you deal with whatever life flings at you.
It can be anything, really.
Exercise can help mitigate the effects of stress.
The key is that its something you do just for you, Dr. Snyder says.
you oughta block out time, Dr. Snyder says.
it’s possible for you to even earmark time for stress relief on your calendar if that will help.
Wear sunscreen every time you go outside.
To protect yourself, wearsunscreen on your faceand neck every single time youre going outside, Dr. Tully says.
(Go for a broad-spectrum sunscreen withat least SPF 30to protect against multiple types of ultraviolet damage.
Sorry, butmakeup with SPF doesnt cut it.)
You should also slather any other exposed skin with sunscreen before heading outside.
Just be sure to stay on top of your sunscreen utility while youre at it.
Finally, dont set foot near a tanning bed, hey.
If you really want a tan, considergetting it sprayed oninstead.
If youre not trying to get pregnant, find a birth control method that works for you.
If youre not sure which birth control would work best for you, talk to your ob/gyn.
That will help inform your choices.
The important thing is that youre using whatever method you choose consistently and correctly.
You should also be realistic about what kind of contraception fits most easily into your life.
Its also important to be pretty content with your method of birth control so that you stay on it.
Have safe sex every single time.
Safe sex isnt always about pregnancy protection.
Its also about protecting yourself fromsexually transmitted infectionsas much as you could.
This wont protect you from all STIs, since infections likeherpesandhuman papillomaviruscan be transmitted via intimate skin-to-skin contact.
But its better than nothing.
See an ob/gyn once a year too.
Just like with a PCP, building a relationship with an ob/gyn you love can be invaluable.
Seeing your ob/gyn every yearwill typically entail a pelvic exam and breast exam.
Preventive Services Task Force.
You may need them more frequently than that depending on the results.
(Here are sometipsfor making the experience as stress-free as humanly possible.)
Finally, you should be tested forSTIsregularly.
