I’m convinced that youth is a thing of the mind; you can be young, yet feel quite old. It all depends on your lifestyle and how you take care of yourself.

Whether you’d like to admit it or not, many things are going to change in your 20s – your body will change and your responsibilities to yourself and others will change. Relationships will grow and die, money stress becomes more real, and your life really becomes your responsibility.

Although this decade can feel like you’re independent and consequence-free, how you spend your 20s will have a massive impact on the rest of your life.

So, I’m going to give you seven highly underrated tips to help you maintain a balanced, inspired life.

Stop eating junk

It’s so unfair, I know. When you can finally afford to eat all the junk you want and not be told off by your parents, you have to stop? Unfortunately, junk food only puts toxins in your body. The older you get, the slower your body can get rid of toxins.

Try to include healthier food into your diet like fruits and vegetables. Looking young even while young takes work.

Drink more water

In your 20s, it’s very easy for your fluid options to start to range between coffee for energy, soft drinks for refreshment and alcohol for fun. Please don’t do this. Remember the toxins.

Drinking one to two litres of water every day can help maintain your energy levels, improve your mood, prevent headaches, help with weight loss and better your skin. Take care of yourself.

Exercise regularly

The older you get, the harder it is to exercise. It’s easier shedding that extra Christmas 5kg than it is trying to lose an accumulated 20kg. Trust me, I know. The older you get, the slower your metabolism gets, and the harder you have to work to keep everything together.

You don’t have to pass out at the gym; you just need to incorporate some physical activity into your daily routine. Health is the most important thing.

Get regular health checks

Taking care of your health at this age cannot be overemphasized. Ít’ll make the rest of your life easier. Always remember to get medical and dental check-ups every once in a while. Your body is fully developed in your 20s, and so are your teeth.

If you’re stuck with the same teeth for the rest of your life, you’re going to want to take care of them early, before repairing years of neglect becomes even more expensive. Same goes for your body.

Protect yourr skin

The gif above is literally what the sun does to your skin over time, regardless of your race. Your skin is not going to remain supple and wrinkle-free forever – especially if you don’t protect it.

Use sunscreen, moisturise, drink water and mind your business – your glow is going to be insane.

Read more books

Reading is so essential for growth! It broadens your horizon and helps you think of things from a new perspective. Challenge yourself to read as many books as possible, even if it’s fiction.

You can set a goal of one book a month. There’s a lot to be learned from them, and they’re fun.

Set standards

It’s important to use your 20s to learn about yourself and set standards. Whether from a relationship or job, it’s vital to know what you are willing to accept or tolerate, lest you fall victim to people that would end up doing nothing for you.

Don’t settle; you have your whole life ahead of you.

Have any other life hacks for twenty-somethings? Drop a comment or tweet us @zikokomag.