10 Healthy Habits I Started In My 30s And Wish I'd Done Sooner

This post is all about some of the best 10 healthy habits you can set right now that will help you live a healthier life. All the things I started doing in my 30s and wished I’d done sooner. But hey, it’s never too late 😉

Ladies, take it from me and don’t wait till your 30s to start kicking in these awesome 10 healthy habits which I will talk to you about in a second.

The sooner you begin taking good care of yourself – eating healthy food, moving your body regularly, and taking care of your mind – the better! So if you’re in your 20s, and reading this, perfect!

If like me, your 20s are a few summers back ;), don’t worry, it’s NEVER TOO LATE!

I’m a firm believer that you can start making good choices for your health at ANY age! And I have a great example to share with you: my mom, who at 65 has started both intermittent fasting AND yoga and is seeing great results in her health and overall wellbeing!

So let’s dive right into all these things I started doing in my 30s and wished I’d done sooner.

10 Healthy Habits To Start Right Now

Use sunscreen on your face

This one is a definite must if you want to have beautiful, glowing and wrinkle-free skin for as long as possible.

I have always used sunscreen r.e.l.i.g.i.o.u.s.l.y on my body ever since I was a kid. I always made sure to avoid sunburn. Yet for some reason, I never applied it on my face.

It wasn’t until I recently visited a dermatologist that I started taking SPF more seriously. Her advice: no matter which moisturizer you choose (either an affordable drug store brand or a premium one), ALWAYS MAKE SURE IT HAS SPF 30+ in it.

Not using sunscreen was one of the biggest skin care mistakes I was making, but since then I have quickly adjusted and set it in as a new healthy habit.

Now, every single day before leaving the house, regardless of whether it’s sunny or not, I always apply SPF. Recently I’ve been loving this one from La Roche Posay – Anthelios, it’s perfect for sensitive skin and the smell is divine!

Workout regularly

Out of all the habits I’m listing here this one is probably THE MOST IMPORTANT.

Regular exercise not only keeps our body healthy, boosts our immune system, and strengthens our muscles, but it also does wonders for our mental wellbeing!

So, especially during these covid times, do make sure to move your body daily – it can be in a form of a 20 minutes walk. And try to work out a least twice (ideally 3 times) per week.

If you’re looking for a great home workout program that delivers results FAST, I have an awesome recommendation for you right HERE and if running might be more your thing, check out some running tips HERE.

Meditate daily

It took me a long time to discover meditation and I have to say it was during a more difficult time in my life when I was dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety.

It truly was the ONE thing that helped me enormously, by paying attention to how my mind works, to my thoughts, and by learning how to be more present.

This pandemic is a difficult time for all of us and meditation can be such a great tool to keep our minds calm and positive.

If you’re looking for more tips on the best things to do during lockdown have a look HERE.

There are many apps out there, but the one I’m using and HIGHLY recommend is Headspace. They are so much more than a mediation app right now. Headspace has evolved into a full healthy living app with sleep casts, working-out sessions, and much more.

Read at least 30 minutes a day

Ok, I’m gonna be honest with you girls, this habit is a bit tricky for me to set in. Especially to stick to those daily 30m minutes. I can spend hours caught up in a book, but then also not pick it up till several days later.

One of my goals (not resolutions ;)) for 2021 is to read at least one book a month, so I need to catch up.

Regardless of my own progress, I wanted to include reading as one of the top 10 healthy habits you can set for yourself. This is because I have personally experienced its amazing benefits of relaxing and calming the mind during my stressful time a few years back.

If you are going through a stressful period, I highly recommend finding a book (preferably fiction) and let yourself be absorbed by it. You will see and feel the benefits! The Lord of The Rings did wonders for me (Tolkien nerd over here 😉 ) but you choose whatever you like.

Or, if you’re interested in THE BEST personal development books (on finances, habits, and relationships) have a look HERE – 5 Books that will change your life in 2021.

Cut down on sugar

Cutting down on sugar is widely known as one of the best things you can do for your health.

Yet for all of us, chocolate addicts over here might be easier said than done. Fear not, I’ve discovered a super-easy way to ease into it: take a no sugar challenge for 30 days. See how you feel and try to extend it for 60, and then 90 days. The best part – you can still eat chocolate!

I for one never imagined it is possible to go one day without eating sweets. Yet here I am, almost a year later, living a much healthier lifestyle, with no cookies or Oreos in sight!

I’ve only started this now in my 30s, which is still good, but the sooner you can start reducing your sugar intake, the better.

You can learn all my tips and how I managed to do it HERE.

Step up your oral care – clean between your teeth

I feel this is one of the most important 10 healthy habits we can set in our lives yet not a lot of people talk about it. Besides probably your dentist or hygienist. 😉

Cleaning between your teeth is SO important for COMPLETE oral hygiene!

Did you know that by brushing alone, you only remove about 60% of the plaque? Yep, you read that right. Scary, I know!

Also, did you know that our teeth have 5 sections and we only clean 3 of them while brushing?

By using an interdental brush or rubber pick you prevent cavities and massage your gums which is what ensures a healthy and complete oral care routine.

This is why it’s so important to clean between our teeth daily and use good quality products to do so.

Here’s what I’ve been using and highly recommend: GUM.

Use eye cream – am and pm

The skin around the eyes is much thinner, more delicate, and requires extra care and attention. It’s also the one to show the first signs of aging, such as fine lines, so we need to make sure it’s properly taken care of.

I hear a lot of beauty experts recommending to start using eye cream in your 20s now. It was always a bit of a hassle for me, (another extra step in my skincare routine), but I now understand the importance of it.

If you’re looking for a good eye cream to start with, try Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado – a top favorite of beauty experts (I bought it after I’ve seen Lisa Eldridge recommending it as THE best) and for good reason – it’s super nourishing.

Use a serum daily

Staying in the skin care area, SERUMS are super important for a healthy, glowing skin.

They are a great way to add an amazing cocktail of active and powerful ingredients to deeply nourish and hydrate your skin. Applied once or twice a day (mornings or evenings), they will boost the efficacy of your moisturizer and leave your skin looking healthy and glowing.

Again, something I discovered a bit later in life, but which is now an essential step in my daily skincare routine.

If you’re looking for a good serum, here are the ones I’ve tried and been super happy with the results:

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair – probably the most famous serum on earth
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 – a cult favorite and an affordable option
Caudalie Vinosoure – this one is great for dehydrated skin and the fragrance is incredible
La Roche Posay Rosaliac – an AMAZING one if you are dealing with redness (rosacea) on your face

Write down 3 positive things at the end of each day

Another great habit for a healthy mind is to write things down.

Especially if you sometimes find yourself getting into negative thinking, this tip is a HUGE help. So, at the end of each day, before going to bed, reflect on 3 positive things that happened that day.

You’ll see, some days are easier than others. You might have days where you can fill a full page and others when seems like nothing has gone right. It’s very important that especially in those days, to FIND 3 positive things and write them down.

It can be things like “today was a sunny day”, ” I had a nice walk in the park”, “I made my bed this morning”, literally anything that can train your mind to think on the positive side.

Believe me, in just a few weeks, you’ll be amazed by the results!