Self Care Habits Every Woman Should Adopt By Age Thirty

Life is so different for all of us. We’re all unique and individuals, we hit typical ‘milestones’ at different times. Just look at your friends, even between a group of women the same age from similar backgrounds, chances are all of your lives are hugely diverse. Some focus on career, others travel and self-development. Some make their lives about raising a family, there really is no wrong answer. However, with that being said, there are a few things all of us should (hopefully) have in common by the time we reach our third decade in life.

Here are some self-care habits that are well worth adopting:

Taking care of your skin

Throughout your late teens and twenties, you might have had some unsavoury skincare habits. Coming home drunk and falling asleep with a full face of makeup, frying yourself in tanning beds, skipping moisturiser and much more. Your thirties mark the start of changes in your skin, and it’s this decade that you’ll start seeing the signs of aging. To keep these at bay (and generally look after yourself) you should create a skincare regime and stick to it. Take your makeup off each evening, cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser and exfoliate as often as needed depending on your skin type. In the morning, a light moisturiser will sit well under your foundation, in the evening, go with something richer that will sink in overnight, hydrate, heal and protect. An eye cream will hydrate the delicate under eye area, if you’re already noticing the signs of aging then a product containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and peptides which have been shown to blur fine lines and prevent wrinkles. Generally taking care of your body will reflect in your skin too, so drinking enough water, eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep. Which hopefully you’ll already be doing enough of.

Attending your screenings

No one likes the doctors, least of all when it’s a gynecological appointment. However, as unpleasant as it might be, it’s a necessary evil and something you need to take responsibility for as an adult. Cervical cancer is on the rise again, due to women putting off and skipping their cervical screening tests. Don’t wait for your mum, your friend or your partner to pressure you into going. Once your appointment comes through from the doctor, get it done. In most cases, it’s over and done with before you know it and there’s nothing you need to do until the next one. If any changes are picked up, getting them treated early means it will never progress to cancer, or any of the life changing treatments that come along with it. Cervical cancer is most often treated with a radical hysterectomy, meaning you’ll never have carry more children (or at all if you’ve never had any). Something as simple as a five minute procedure can literally save your life, and by the time you reach thirty should be something you wouldn’t dream of missing.

Knowing when to say no

Are you a people pleaser? Most of us are when it comes down to it. We all want to feel helpful, and be liked by others. So saying no is something that doesn’t always come easy to us. Practice saying no when the situation calls for it, in a polite and tactful way. Refusing doesn’t have to mean being horrible, it just allows you to live authentically. If you don’t want to attend that party because you’re having a bad mental health day then say no. If you’re not able to realistically do the favour that someone has asked you, say no. The right people will understand. Help others when you can, but help yourself too. Don’t spread yourself too thin, or worse, become a doormat for others where you never put yourself first.

Being able to let go of toxic people

One of the hardest lessons to learn in adulthood is that not everyone is as nice as you. There are people that are out for themselves, they’ll use you for their own gain or pleasure, they’ll knock your confidence or bring out the worst side of you. Sometimes these people come in the form of the people we love most- close friends, family members or partners. By the time you reach thirty, chances are you’ll have met a few of these kinds of people and will know the signs of what to look out for. If someone drains you of energy, uses you for personal or financial gain or just seems to enjoy getting you down then let them go. As Oprah once said, surround yourself only with people that will lift you higher. By the time you reach your thirties, your circle should be quality over quantity. Invest your time into genuine, decent human beings that bring in the best in you. And you in turn, bring out the best in them.

Finding healthy ways to relax

Picking up a glass of wine or reaching for a cigarette packet when you’re stressed might be your instant reaction, but we all know that these only provide short term relief. In the long run, they of course cause all kinds of issues with health. We all have some not-so-healthy habits we fall back on during difficult times, it could be anything from gambling to compulsive spending to binge eating. Life is always going to have its ups and downs, and if you don’t know how to properly manage then it can affect your health and you can even make things worse with your vices. Exercise, meditation and journaling are all examples of healthy ways to reduce stress. You could phone up a friend for a chat, or go to the spa and treat yourself to some pampering treatments. Even something as simple as a hot bath can work wonders, as it eases tense muscles and knots, lowers blood pressure and provides you with a calm, quiet place to clear your mind.