Your 20’s are considered your priming era, as you prepare your body for adulthood and learn how to live alone (and responsibly!). Some people consider turning 30 to be a less than desirable birthday; your metabolism slows down in your 30’s, and it becomes more complicated to lose weight or maintain your fitness levels. However, this is the best time to reap the rewards of what you achieved in your 20’s, or consolidate any losses and bring in a more healthy attitude to prepare your body for ageing.
Here’s a quick-fire guide to staying fit and healthy in your thirties.
Manage stress and anxiety
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and can have a direct impact upon it. You need to develop strong coping strategies that don’t rely on food, alcohol, coffee or smoking.
Stress can leave you with a lowered immune system and more vulnerable to illness, as well as weight gain, digestive problems and other internal complications. Time with friends, family, yoga and gardening are all recommended as ways to balance your internal stress levels.
Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly
This knowledge is becoming increasingly widespread, but never has it been more important. Keeping moving lowers your risks of heart disease, infertility and diabetes. Strength training, in particular, is ideal for negating the risks of osteoporosis.
Get your vitamins
Don’t just value your body, value your bones. Partner strength training with a healthy calcium and vitamin D intake. Poor sleep and low levels of iron and vitamin B12 are often responsible for a lack of energy. Supplements are available, but it is advised that you see your GP to check for any deficiencies.
Make routine health care a routine
Make it a priority to schedule regular dental and physical checkups. Book in regular screenings to check on cholesterol, get gynaecological checkups, and to check for any symptoms of diseases you have a family history of.
Also, ensure you are up to date on all vaccinations, including influenza jabs.
