7 Habits You Should Form In Your 20s For a Long and Healthy Life

Updated on May 29, 2020

There’s nothing quite like being a 20-something. Your 20s will involve a lot of trial and error as you come to terms with being an adult. While you might not be thinking too much about habits you should be forming right now, there are many things you should be doing in your 20s. The younger you get into these habits, the longer, healthier, and happier your life will be. These are habits that will stick with you for the rest of your life. 

Building healthy habits while you are young is a great way to contribute to staying happy and healthy in the long run. People get more stubborn and stuck in their ways as they get older. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, as they say. It becomes harder and harder to adopt healthy habits as you get older. That’s why you should lay the foundations in your 20s, so it becomes second nature to stay healthy. 

While it’s always a good time to adopt healthy eating habits and exercise properly (here are a few great workout tips to get you started), there are plenty of other important habits to develop in your 20s. Here are seven habits you should form in your 20s for a long and healthy life. 

1. Sleep More 

Your 20s are when most people stop being able to stay up all night and wake up in the early afternoon. With that said, we’re all guilty of staying up a little too late. How much sleep you need to function properly can be different from others, but you should always have a solid sleeping plan in place. Your body needs time to rest and recharge. A lack of sleep is connected to all manner of problems, least of all a compromised immune system. Get in the habit of getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night. The more you can get to sleep – and wake up – around the same time, the better. It can be easy to get distracted by devices, but turn them off, and allow yourself to relax. 

2. Use Sunscreen 

Your 20s is the time to protect your skin and prevent future problems. If you aren’t already in the habit of applying sunscreen, then now is the time to do it. Preventing sun damage now means that your skin will stay healthy and beautiful for years to come. Even if you don’t think you need it, there can be time where it is essential to apply. 

3. Visit the Dentist 

Dental hygiene is a lot more important than most people realize, especially for women. Pregnancy and menopause have a severe impact on teeth. For both men and women, dental health is connected to overall bodily health. Poor dental hygiene can lead to problems such as heart disease. Get in the habit of visiting your dentist and taking good care of your teeth. Good oral hygiene habits will pay dividends in the future. 

4. Take Medication Only When Needed 

Taking medication can be a quick short-term fix, but overmedicating and using too many antibiotics can lead to problems down the line. It’s all too easy to start relying on drugs to relax and sleep at night, for example. You might take over-the-counter medication for headaches and colds also. Unfortunately, all of that medication adds up, and it has an adverse effect on your body. 

5. Look After Your Bones 

How many older adults do you know complain about their bones? Bone mass reaches a peak in your 20s, and your diet and exercise habits can affect overall bone mass. Make sure that you get plenty of calcium and vitamin-D and consider doing exercises like walking and weight training for better both health. The more calcium you get in your body while you’re young, the stronger your bones will continue to be as you get older. 

6. Cut Out Sugar 

Excess sugar has been linked to all kinds of problems and chronic diseases. If you want to reduce your risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, then you should start reducing your sugar intake. There’s never a better time than your 20s to get started. You don’t need to adopt a strict diet, but it can be worth cutting out junk food, and getting rid of excessive sugar sources. 

7. Relax and Have Fun 

There’s no getting around the simple fact that life can be stressful. You should take the time now to find activities that you enjoy and help you de-stress. Read some books, spend time with your friends, and visit amusement parks. What matters is that you find healthy ways to de-stress and relax. 

Anyone, no matter their age or lifestyle, can benefit from being more mindful of their health and wellbeing. These tips can help you get started now before you get too old and cranky to develop new and better habits! 

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.