If you’re in your 30s, you’re in the prime of your life. But while you may still feel young at this age, it’s also a good time to think about how you want to be feeling when you hit your 60s and 70s. Make changes now, and you can set yourself up to live an active, vital life when that decade comes around! These ten things to do in your 30s will help you take charge of your health so you can live aging well, no matter what decade you’re in.
1) Keep Learning
This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, but it’s a good start. Learning is a lifelong endeavor, so use your 30something years as an opportunity to explore and learn more about yourself and your interests (and future career opportunities). Not sure where to start? Go back to school! Taking classes at local colleges, community centers or online classes can enrich your life as well as your resume. So get out there, keep learning and embrace all of life’s experiences—you never know what might come in handy later on.
2) Stay Flexible
If you’re going through changes—including weight gain, aging and hormonal fluctuations—you may feel as though your body is rebelling against you. The good news is that there are ways to fight back and enjoy a better quality of life during these times. One way to avoid feeling stiff or slow down muscle loss is by exercising regularly, but not just any exercise program will do. A study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise suggests that resistance training helps keep our muscles strong as we age because it encourages muscle maintenance and balance. To maintain flexibility throughout your life, focus on balancing your workout routine with strength-training sessions two days a week at least two hours apart.
3) Try Something New
Our culture’s obsession with youth is one of our most unhelpful stereotypes, and it can also lead to stagnation as we get older. The sooner you embrace new experiences—and come to terms with your age—the better off you’ll be. It’s never too late, or too early, for a new career path or a fresh hobby (just ask Madonna). By staying curious and excited about life as you age, you set yourself up for living well past retirement.
4) Get Some Sleep
Even when you’re young, it’s important to get enough sleep—it helps us focus and stay energized. But as we age, it becomes even more vital. Sleep deprivation is one of many factors that cause biological aging. That’s why getting a good night’s rest—ideally around eight hours each night—is crucial if you want to live a long life free of chronic conditions like diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease.
5) Exercise Regularly
If you want to age well, it’s never too early (or late) to start living a healthy lifestyle. Exercise is good at any age, but it’s especially important after you hit your 30s. The aging process doesn’t happen overnight, so don’t expect yourself to suddenly start improving your health now and then—it will take a while and require diligence. Start exercising regularly and stick with it—you have nothing else on your schedule that can compete with being healthy!
6) Take Time for Yourself
It’s not that you don’t care about your own health, but after years of treating others, it can be easy to put yourself on a back burner. However, taking time for yourself is as important as taking time with your family and friends. One of the best ways to take care of yourself is by eating right. To prepare for aging well, you should focus on how often you eat whole grains (such as brown rice and oatmeal), foods rich in antioxidants (like blueberries and raspberries) and healthy fats (like avocados). Regular exercise will also help keep your body feeling its best. To prepare for aging well, sign up for a free trial at one of these online gyms.
7) Appreciate Life’s Small Pleasures
The younger you are, the more time you have to appreciate life’s small pleasures—and there is no better way to kick-start your appreciation of these things than in your thirties. Think about it: As a thirtysomething, you likely have a decade or two of being on your own behind you and likely only another decade or two ahead of you. You’re well into adulthood now and there are some things that can help ensure that life is good later on down the road. Take it from one who knows; once retirement hits, it will be too late! Here are 10 tips that can help keep us happy and healthy as we age…
8) Set Boundaries with Family and Friends
Staying connected with friends and family is important but sometimes it’s good to set boundaries, especially if you’re trying to start a business or just focus on your career. There are times when people need space and that doesn’t mean you don’t care about them; rather, it means that you want their presence in your life at some level. Set clear boundaries around how much time you want to spend with family and friends so that everyone knows what their expectations are. Don’t let guilt get in your way of doing things that matter—your productivity will suffer if you allow others to make all of your decisions for you.
9) Help Others Whenever Possible
Keep your mind engaged by helping others whenever possible. Volunteer at an animal shelter, help a co-worker with a project, or talk with someone new at a coffee shop. Keeping your mind active can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia—both of which increase exponentially as you age. Additionally, aging well often means slowing down and feeling comfortable with that pace. Volunteering can help put your life into perspective and remind you what’s important. You’ll feel better about yourself knowing that you’re making a difference for someone else, not just for yourself; what do you have to lose?
10) Use All the Resources at Your Disposal
When it comes to aging well, use all of your resources. While you’re in your 20s and 30s, take advantage of services like social security and Medicare so that you can focus on other areas of life that are important. Taking a look at how they can help now will make it easier later on when they become even more important! Don’t wait until retirement to start planning—make decisions early that will improve your quality of life as you age.
