Your 20s are hard. You’re getting older with every day that passes. You’re going out less. You’re getting more responsibilities at work. Your interests are changing. You’re trying to hang on to your youth as much as you can. You’re growing up.
Sure, it’s true – you’re still young, but you’re not a child anymore and you need to start taking care of yourself. You don’t want to turn 30 and find out you have a health issue or two that you could have prevented in your 20s. Even though most health issues are manageable, they can be expensive.
A recent study by Cigna® showed that manageable health conditions, including obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure, can lead to high out-of-pocket costs if you don’t keep track of your measurements and health.
While in your 20s, you’re setting the tone for your health for the rest of your life. In addition to staying on top of your health, there are plenty of other things you can do to live the healthiest life possible. Here they are:
1. Eat a healthy diet.
My metabolism has certainly gotten slower as I’ve progressed into my late 20s. Part of me wishes I was a little bit healthier in my earlier 20s, but I’m still young so I’ve started eating a healthier diet now.
2. Exercise.
In lieu of my metabolism slowing down, I’ve started exercising more to speed it up. When I was younger, I could lose weight solely by eating healthy. Now, I have to work out AND eat healthy on a regular basis to maintain a decent weight.
3. Take your vitamins.
I never took vitamins growing up, but now I rely on them to help me stay energized and protect my bones so I can try to avoid diseases later in life.
4. Get enough sleep.
I definitely can’t stay up as late as I used to and still function in the early hours of the morning with all the necessary energy to do so. Sleep is a must to stay healthy and keep your immune system.
5. Spend enough time with loved ones.
Life might be getting busier, but no matter what, you need to find time for fun. Laughing with friends and hanging out with family can lead to happiness, which can lead to less stress, which is good because stress can cause so many health problems.
6. Wear sunscreen when you’re in the sun.
This is a given. You can’t take back the mistakes you may have made over the summers throughout your youth, but you can start to take action now.
7. Practice good hygiene.
Taking care of your teeth, washing your face, etc., etc. I’ve noticed changes in my skin that could have been prevented with better care when I was younger, but it’s never too late to start taking care of your body’s largest organ.
8. Go to the doctor and use your plan benefits!
While enrolling in a health insurance plan can be a pain because you have so much to learn before doing so, it is imperative that you know your benefits. Whether you’re searching for a plan on your own or through your employer, this infographic from Cigna is beneficial to look at as you continue the search for your health plan during open enrollment for 2016. And when you find that plan, learn about the benefits available to you and use them.
If you’re still in the dark, head to Cigna for more information on understanding your benefits! Growing up might be hard, but Cigna sure makes it easier to help you check off a lot of the things on your “stay healthy” list.
This post was sponsored by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company. This article is for educational purposes only and is intended to promote consumer health. It is not intended as financial or medical advice and you should always consult a professional for financial or medical advice.
All opinions are our own.
Related Content:
10 Easy Ways To Be Healthier Without Changing Your Daily Routine Too Much
1 Comment
It’s amazing what a difference taking care of your health can make now and down the road. Great post! Thanks.
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