When you're 25, your life is just beginning. New jobs, new relationships and a bustling social life can sometimes distract you from living the healthiest life possible. When you're staying out late, experiencing stress at work or indulging in alcoholic drinks, you aren't caring for your body properly. By understanding some of the health concerns that 25 year olds face, you can take steps to stay as healthy as possible to enjoy your 20s fully and maintain healthy habits well into your 30s.
Step 1
Wear sunscreen every day. Elizabeth K. Hale, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at New York University, tells Parents magazine that melanoma is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women 25 to 29. While getting a tan to look healthy may be your prerogative, the truth is that it can cause your skin to be unhealthy. Swap UVA and UVB rays for a cream self tanner, and opt for skin creams that have built-in sunscreens so their application becomes part of your daily routine.
Step 2
Schedule regular appointments with your doctors. You should have a yearly physical exam with your general practitioner, a yearly check up with a dermatologist, and a yearly visit to the gynecologist if your general practitioner hasn't performed a pap smear and breast exam. Often health care is forgone when a busy life beckons. Take advantage of any benefits offered by your company and make sure that you work towards disease prevention and early detection, rather than care and treatment.
Step 3
Carry condoms with you and use them whenever you have sex with a new partner. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that chlamydia and gonorrhea are the two most commonly reported infectious diseases in the United States, especially prevalent for those in their 20s. Both are spread via sexual intercourse, and condoms are the only way to protect yourself from STDs when you are having sex. If you plan on having sex with a new partner, make sure that condoms are a necessary part of your night.
Step 4
Manage your weight and maintain a healthy BMI, warns United Healthcare. Daily exercise and a healthy diet are sensible ways to help you lose weight and stay active and healthy. Unfortunately, the media bombards 20-somethings with impossible images of bodily perfection. Your body image can suffer if you aren't careful to separate fact from fiction. Fad diets and fasting don't work and will only help you to lose weight on a short-term basis. A healthy diet and an active lifestyle will help you maintain a healthy weight for life.
Things You'll Need
- Sunscreen
- Self-tanner (optional)
- Condoms
