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To live a healthy, long life, we have to take care of ourselves—mentally, physically and financially. Everyone has a different recipe for the makings of a successful life, but there are plenty of steps we can take together to live a good life—and be our best selves—no matter what age we are.
In your 20s... get enough calcium. Right now, your bones are as strong as they have ever been, but as you age, you slowly begin to lose bone mass. There is still time to lower your risk for osteoporosis though! Taking calcium pills can help, but if you can, including foods with high levels of calcium into your diet is the best M IL K route. Dairy products
meals for one on a tight budget can be easy with resources like Pinterest and budget-friendly cookbooks. Start with recipes you know you will like, then once you’ve got a good repertoire of “go-to” meals under your belt, venture out of your comfort zone. You never know what awesome recipe you might stumble upon! Before you know it, you’ll be a pro in your kitchen, whipping up yummy foods and saving money at the same time.
aren’t your only option; try calciumfortified orange juice or dry-roasted almonds.
Get in the SPF habit...Every day! Your skin is at risk for sun damage 365 days a year, not just when you are at the beach or pool. Even when it is cloudy out, the sun’s harmful UV rays can break through the cloud cover and burn your skin within only 15 minutes of being outside. If you are one of those lucky people who doesn’t burn very easily, it is still important for you to wear sunscreen. Yes, sunscreen helps prevent burns, but more importantly, it reduces damage to your skin, which decreases your chances of skin cancer.
Learn to cook. Before you graduated, you probably lived on whatever the meal of the day was in your college or university’s dining center, or you scraped together what you could find left in your refrigerator. But now that you are living in the “real world,” it is a good time to cut back on drive-thru meals. A recent Brown Medical School study found that people in their 20s eat 25 percent more fast food than they did as teenagers, which can lead to weight gain, high cholesterol and heart disease. Not to mention, the cost associated with eating out all the time. Cooking healthy 10 quarterly
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SP F 30
Start getting in the habit of using a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. Your face is the most important, since it is exposed to sunlight most every day. Many skincare companies, like Clinique and Neutrogena make oil-free sunscreens, which are perfect for routine use on your face. Consider bumping up your sunscreen to an SPF of 30 or higher if you will be soaking up the rays all day. And if you can’t be convinced to make sunscreen a daily habit, at least stay out of tanning beds. Opt for a spray tan if you crave that tanned glow. Your older self will thank you when your skin isn’t wrinkled and leathery and is skin cancer free! Join an alumnae group. Alpha Gamma Delta isn’t just for four years; it’s for a lifetime. Join an alumnae group in your area and stay connected to the Fraternity. You will make friendships and connections if you give it a shot! Use our Chapter Locator tool at alphagammadelta.org to find a group in your area. Most groups have their president’s email address listed so you can reach out about their next meeting or event.