This post contains sponsored content. All thoughts and sentiments are my own.
Being in your 30’s is kind of a weird stage of adulthood where you start realizing your body isn’t forever. Yikes! You start sneezing your back out, and waking up with aches, and suddenly realizing you grunt every time you get up from the couch. I don’t know when the switch happens but it does with no warning. A few months ago I started feeling “off” and realized it had been a really long time since I thought about taking care of myself. And that’s when I came to the conclusion that in my 30’s, I can’t afford NOT to take care of myself if I want a decent quality of life. So, here are the major ways I am turning that around.
Take Care of Your Body
Listen. I am not a person who likes to workout. But when my body was talking, I listened this time. I was getting joint pain, and feeling depressed, and clothes I used to slide into started making me uncomfortable. I knew I had to do something so I started with the goal of moving every day for 30 minutes. No major stipulations on what that meant, just move! I quickly realized that I liked going on walks through my neighborhood, just me and my music. Later I started going to the neighborhood gym and riding the bike, and after that I started tinkering with some weights. Doing it this way took the pressure off exercising and getting up and out and moving my body.
Another key way to take care of your body after your 30’s is to visit your doctor regularly. Although working out quickly adjusted my mood and energy level, there were still things that felt “off”. After complaining about joint pain for months, I finally went to see an orthopedist. He was able to point me in the direction of stretches I can do to fix the problem. Not to mention this eased my mind that nothing serious was going on. I also went to my Ob/Gyn and got all the blood tests. In doing so I found that a had a bit of a hormonal imbalance which attributed to a lot of post 30 issues I had been dealing with. I would have never known that I didn’t have to be dealing with things that I thought were just the “new normal” after 30, and that there are ways to feel better again!
Along with moving and visiting my doctor I took a look at what I was eating and realized, well, I shouldn’t be going days without eating a fruit or a vegetable! I drastically changed my diet not to suit a “diet” but just to do better and eat healthier.
I wanted to find new snacks that were the “better for my body” option. I took to Walmart.com and had the goodies delivered to my house which saved me time and didn’t break the bank! I was also able to score probiotics which my doctor highly recommended taking daily. New customers with Walmart’s online grocery service can use promo code TRIPLE10 to save $10 off their first three pickup or delivery orders ($50 minimum), restrictions & fees apply.
Take Care Of Your Skin
Taking care of your skin in your 30’s is a MUST. And by this point you’ve probably already noticed that your skin isn’t looking flirty and 22 any more. After realizing that breakouts were happening more often than I’d like to admit, I visited a dermatologist. My primary complaint was that I was experiencing itchy skin on my face. She recommended switching to a free and clear laundry detergent and as soon as I did the itching and breakouts stopped.
Also delivered to my doorstep from Walmart were products that can show my skin some love. Nothing harsh but super nourishing.
Take Care Of Your Hair
You have to get your hair trimmed. If you want your hair to grow, if you want it to not look damaged, if you want it to be healthy, you have to get it trimmed. My hair dresser shot straight with me and told me that a visit one or two times a year is not going to get me to healthy hair. So I listened and committed to at least getting a trim every 6-8 weeks. And guess, what? My ends don’t look like they were eaten by a paper shredder any more!
She also encouraged me to use products that are paraben and sulfate free and hydrating for my hair. As part of my Walmart delivery I chose Hairitage products and have come to find that they truly nourish my hair.
If your body is telling you things, listen! Don’t think that “it’s just going to be this way now that I’m not in my 20’s”. Make changes, tweek routines, visit a doctor for the longevity of your body! And, do it for the long haul. You are going to be so grateful you did!
