Staying Healthy In Your 20s

To those in their 20s, you're not a kid anymore.

Sure, you have a whole new world of independence and freedom, but many stressors come along with this age, too. Having to "adult" means finding a career path, paying for the rising costs of just about everything, and making decisions that impact your physical and mental health.

Now is the time to begin thinking about the type of lifestyle you want to live. While eating well and exercising are always at the top of health and wellness lists, in your 20s mental health is just as important, alongside reproductive health and family planning.

Key Takeaways: Staying Healthy In Your 20s

• Prioritize your mental health by reviewing the things in your life that you can control, identifying your values, continuously self-reflecting and avoiding unhealthy coping mechanisms.
• Schedule an appointment with your provider to diagnose any underlying conditions like ADHD.
• Involve your doctor in family planning to ensure you’re in good health throughout the process.
• Schedule appointments for annual health screenings, pelvic exams and pap smears starting at 21 years old.

Mental Health As A Young Adult

Elisa Rhodes, a family medicine nurse practitioner with Franciscan Physician Network's Schererville Family Health Center, says the pandemic and its effect on mental health has affected those in their 20s more than any other group.

Julie Kissee, administrative director of Franciscan Health's Employee Assistance Program, is also seeing more anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems among people in their 20s. These trends may have appeared because the pandemic has left them with scars of unresolved grief, isolation, and anxiousness.

In hopes of staying ahead of these challenges, Kissee, who is a licensed clinical social worker, suggests the following:

• Identify your control circle. Give some thought to what lies within your control and what doesn't. Focus your energy on changing the things you can and let go of what you can't.
• Let your values guide you. Even the simplest daily decisions should be aligned with what holds importance in your life. This practice enables you to get through tough decisions because you are fulfilling what you've set out to do.
• Self-reflect through journaling. This helps you set goals, keep your emotions in check, and actively participate in your life. Journaling takes you a step above merely thinking about something and turns it into action.
• Be aware of unhealthy coping mechanisms. Alcohol, food, and even exercise can be done excessively to the point that habits become unhealthy. Ask yourself if you are engaging in any behavior that is a short-term pleasure and needs to be done in moderation.

Another topic that comes up a lot with Rhodes' patients is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Many people who struggled with ADHD as teens are no longer taking medication and have trouble focusing as the pressures in college and their new careers unfold.

Rhodes emphasizes that asking for a new evaluation is a good idea.

"The medication may have ended too soon, and you may need alternative or additional guidance," she said. "Whatever the case, it's a multi-factored problem that needs a multi-disciplinary approach."

Family Planning And Reproductive Health

Thomas Wisler, Jr., MD, an obstetrician/gynecologist in Indianapolis, explains that it's essential for young women to establish a relationship with a doctor who will see them through their 20s and beyond.

"You want to have a relationship where you can really trust your doctor and trust that you can talk to him or her about anything and feel that you're being cared for and listened to," said Dr. Wisler, who is the chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Franciscan Health in central Indiana.

For those considering or planning a pregnancy, Dr. Wisler advises talking to a doctor about current health issues, medications, and pre-conception advice, such as taking a prenatal vitamin and folic acid.

"And, if you're in your 20s and you haven't yet had the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series, I'd recommend it. It reduces your chances of cervical cancer by about 70 percent," he said.

Annual Health Screenings

Dr. Wisler recommends annual pelvic exams and pap smears for women starting at 21 years old. Screening for sexually transmitted diseases is also a good idea at this age. The annual pelvic exam appointment is an opportunity to discuss issues such as STDs and their lesser-known symptoms, including irregular cycles and pain.

Rhodes added that baseline health screenings are advised at this age to look at cholesterol, diabetes risk, and other diagnoses that could be influenced by family history. Reviewing immunization status is another reason to schedule a baseline visit with a family health practitioner.