Our 20s are all about taking risks, growing up, and learning how to function as a “real” adult in society. This decade is fundamental for our future. That is why it is so important to create healthy habits that will stick with us throughout our adulthood.
When we hear older generations reminiscing on their 20s they are often remembering the wild times when they stayed up way too late partying with friends. Living fast and enjoying life with limited responsibilities.
Not many people talk about the other side of your 20s. The overwhelming feeling that you need to have it all “figured out” before you turn thirty. That idea that time is going way too fast and you can’t keep up.
If you are anything like me then I’m sure you are feeling the pressure to “get your life together”. As much as we want to have fun in our 20s, we also want to use this decade to set ourselves up for a successful life. After all, we are growing up.
Starting healthy habits in our 20s is the best thing we can do for our mental health, our bodies, and our wallets.
This post is all about healthy habits we can start in our 20s to last a lifetime.
35 Healthy Habits to Start in your 20s
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1. No phone in the morning
Start your mornings away from the social media world. Instead of staying in bed scrolling, spend some time preparing for the upcoming day. Drink your morning coffee while listening to a podcast. Go for a quick morning walk in nature. Meditate. Stretch. Tidy up your bedroom. Just don’t lay there scrolling. This may be challenging at first, but trust me it’s worth it.
2. Drink more water
We hear this one all the time. Drink your water. This is an easy and super beneficial habit to start now and take with us for life.
3. Move your body daily
Exercise is so important for our mental and physical health. Moving our bodies doesn’t have to include expensive fitness classes or fancy gym memberships. This can be as simple as throwing on some sneakers and walking outside. Or, putting on a free YouTube at home workout video. No equipment required! Find a form of movement that you enjoy and stick with it! Your body and mind will thank you.
4. Gratitude journal
Start taking 5 minutes each day to write in a gratitude journal. You will be amazed at how wonderful life can be once you start appreciating the little things in life.
5. Cook dinner at home
Okay I know this is way easier said than done, LOL. This one took a long time for me to actually implement and appreciate. But seriously, learn to cook some of your favorite meals at home. Your wallet and waistline will be so happy. There is something so rewarding about cooking a meal that you actually love at home. I bet you’ll even start enjoying it more than going out!
6. Budget
As a 20 year old you are most likely fully submerged in the workforce. This means real money is coming your way. This also means that you have real bills that need to be paid. Keep track of your money and create a budget that fits your lifestyle and savings goals. Trust me you do not want to wait until it is too late to start budgeting.
7. Read
Reading has the power to transport us into another world. Find a genre that you love and simply get lost in a good book. You will grow and learn so much from reading. I seriously take my Kindle with me everywhere. Reading is also the perfect substitute to scrolling aimlessly on social media.
8. Set short and long-term goals
Goal setting helps keep us accountable. A short-term goal could be something as simple as getting the laundry done before the end of the day. This goal is meant to be accomplished in the near future and does not require a lot of time to complete. A long-term goal could look something like saving up X amount of money for a first home or training for a marathon. Whatever your goals are be sure to write them down and work towards them daily.
9. Limit screen time
In today’s world, it can be challenging to limit our screen time. Our phones are convenient, always available, and honestly, pretty addictive. Think about how much we could accomplish if we invested our “scrolling time” into a hobby, fitness, or a new business venture. If you feel you are glued to your phone, check out my post on tips to break your phone addiction.
10. Save your money
Whether you are saving for a new car, a first home, or a vacation with friends you need to have a plan for your money. Learning how to save your money is an important skill that will be beneficial throughout the rest of your life. Get in the habit of saving a percentage of your income now. Your future self will thank you.
11. Get outside
Do not underestimate the power of being outside in nature. If you ever need a reset or a mental break, step outside and look towards the sun. Feel the warmth on your skin. Appreciate the ground underneath your feet. We spend so much of our lives cooped up inside. Don’t let a day go by without taking a moment to just be outside.
12. Find people that feel like sunshine
Have you ever met someone and just instantly clicked? Did they leave you feeling happy, motivated, and loved? Keep these people around! You want to surround yourself with uplifting family, friends, and coworkers as often as you can.
13. Let go of the people that drain you
Find your true few! Our 20s are a period of growth. I can almost guarantee that who you are at 20 and who you will be at 29 are two totally different people. And that’s okay. It’s normal. With that said, the people you surround yourself with may need to adjust as you move through different phases of life. If there are people in your life that are not supportive, are mentally draining, or that give off negative energy then you need to let them go. Wish them well and understand that it is okay to outgrow people.
14. Meditate
The idea of mediating used to intimidate me. How the heck am I supposed to sit quietly with my own thoughts alone for an extended period of time? But then I realized I was making meditating a bigger deal than it had to be. Meditation can be as quick as 1 minute of mindfulness. Set a timer for 1 minute and just be. Let go of any expectations, let the intrusive thoughts pass through, and just see where your mind takes you. We are constantly go-go-go. Meditating even for a couple of minutes each day can do wonders for our mental health.
15. Heal your inner child
Okay, this could be an entire post on its own. But here’s the quick version. Healing your inner child takes time. It is okay to rethink some of the thoughts you once had. It is okay to reevaluate some of the systems you once believed in. It is okay to still feel hurt from childhood trauma. It is okay to change your mind. Most importantly, it is okay to give yourself the time and space you need to become the best version of yourself.
16. Get enough sleep
So many of us live fast in our 20s. From navigating a new career to late nights with friends, sleep is often times put on the back burner. Make sleep a top priority and watch your overall health improve. Sleep is so important to be successful in our daily life. Make it a habit to get 7-8 hours each night.
17. Go to your primary care doctor…and dentist…and ob/gyn…
Stay up to date on your medical appointments. Do not let things go undetected or allow issues to get worse before seeking medical attention. In our 20s we think we are young and healthy so going to the doctor may not be a top priority. Let’s not take our health for granted. We must invest in our health.
18. Take time for YOU
In a world where we are constantly connected, it can seem challenging to get away from it all. Be sure to carve out some time for yourself. Whether it be a solo beach trip, a mani + pedi, or a mini shopping spree take the time to practice self-care.
19. Learn to say “no”
If something is no longer serving you, say no. Enough said.
20. Find a hobby
Explore, explore, explore. Try everything. Make mistakes. Grow. Learn. You may just find a hobby that you love. Once you do, enjoy it as often as possible. It is so important to have an enjoyable hobby outside of work.
21. Create a living space you love
Whether you still live at home, you have a small apartment, or you own a home creating a living space that you love is key to your everyday happiness. Your living space should be an expression of you. You’re the one that has to live there each day so forget everyone else’s opinions and create the space that makes you the happiest.
22. Stick with a cleaning schedule
Living in a clean home is beneficial for our productivity and creativity. However, household chores can become overwhelming when ignored. Create a cleaning schedule for different household tasks. Break up the chores into smaller chunks. When you clean a little bit each day the tasks become less daunting.
23. Write thank-you notes
A little appreciation goes a long way. Here are some examples of when it would be appropriate to write a thank-you note:
- After receiving a gift
- Bridal or baby shower
- Birthday party
- Following a job interview
- Service provided
- Favor/good deed
- Friendship
24. Trust your gut
Do you ever get that feeling in your stomach that something just isn’t right? Listen to it. Your body is smart. The more in tune you are with your body the more mindful you can be when making difficult decisions.
25. Practice kindness always
Get in the habit of choosing the high road. As we grow up we learn that everybody is going through their own struggles. Just because somebody else is having a bad day and taking it out on the wrong people doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. It is better to choose kindness.
26. Embrace failure
We learn so much from our failures. Start treating your failures like lessons and watch how your life improves. I live by the mantra that “everything happens for a reason”. The good, the bad, and the ugly. We may never know why something did or didn’t work out. But from my experience, the things that didn’t work out always led me to something better. It sounds cliche, but when one door closes another one will open.
27. Make time for the people you love
Life comes at us fast. We all have busy schedules, but don’t let yourself get too busy to spend time with the ones you love. Pick up the phone and make plans with your loved ones.
28. Stop comparing
Comparison truly is the thief of joy. Our 20s are wild. Everyone is in completely different life phases and that is okay. I have some friends that are still in college. Some are married with children. Some are single and exploring the dating pool. Some are getting promotions and others are quitting their jobs to pursue entirely different careers. This is honestly the best part of being in our 20s…anything goes. So stop comparing and pursue the life that is going to make YOU happy.
29. Stretch
Nobody wants to be old and achy. Create a habit to stretch your body now. Instead of sitting on the couch while watching Netflix, roll out the yoga mat and get some stretches in!
30. Be okay with “starting over”
We never truly start over because we take all of our knowledge and experience with us in everything we do. If something is no longer serving you then it is okay to drop it and move on. It may be scary to “start over” but it will be worth it in the end. Remember, nobody knows you like you know yourself. Trust yourself to make the right choices for you.
31. Keep up with your laundry
Just clean your dirty laundry. Add it to your cleaning schedule or choose a designated laundry day. Whatever works for you, just get it done before it gets out of hand.
32. Love your body
Learn to love your body and treat it with the respect it deserves. Practice positive self-talk, get up and move, and fuel your body with healthy foods. You only get one body to live in. Treat it kindly.
33. Travel when you can
This one!! Travel whenever possible! The world is wide. Get out there and explore it as much as possible. You will grow as a person and make memories to last a lifetime.
34. Invest in yourself
Spend the time and money to invest in yourself. An investment in yourself could be paying for an education or purchasing a reliable pair of sneakers. When it comes to your health, mindset, and overall well-being do not take the cheap way out.
35. Stay true to yourself
No matter what the current trends are be sure to stay true to yourself. Sometimes in our 20s, this can be hard to define. We are still trying to figure out who we are. That is okay. Just don’t change for anybody. Do the things that make you happy and love the people that make you feel like the sun is always shining. Be you. Always.
Try out these 35 healthy habits to start in your 20s! You won’t regret it.
Our 20s are all about exploring ourselves and the world around us. Create healthy habits in your 20s that will last a lifetime.
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