Our thirties.  Although we are by no means old, the bodies of both men and woman alike go through a series of changes as we age. Often times there are differences that men experience that women may not, and vice versa.  But let’s take a look at 4 things that both sexes should keep in mind during this time in our lives.

1.       Weight Gain

The likelihood of weight gain goes up in our thirties.  That goes for men and women alike.  Our metabolism rate begins to slow down and gone are the days of our bodies quickly bouncing back from late night meals of fast foods and sugary drinks.  Ever had a food hangover?  If you haven’t had one before, just wait until your late twenties and into your thirties!  Don’t worry.  You’ve just got to curb poor eating habits so they don’t wreak havoc on your body.  If you weren’t exercising before, you had better start.  Make wiser choices when it comes to the foods and beverages that you take in (see the Body+Soul article on balanced diets).

2.       Stress 

Our list of responsibilities in our thirties is typically longer than in our twenties.  At this point, many of us our juggling marriage, kids, career, etc.  The balancing act is a stressful one.  We may often struggle with feeling that we are spread entirely too thin, and that is incredibly stressful as well.  Stress can take its toll on our bodies, a little at a time.  The older we get, the more likely we are to encounter chronic health problems, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), which is only exacerbated by stress.  Relax.  Take a breather.  This isn’t just necessary for comfort, but your health and well-being.

3.       Skin

Not something that immediately comes to mind when you think of what you should pay closer attention to in your thirties.  But, even if you’ve done a great job of taking care of your skin for years, you’re more likely to notice changes in your skin’s texture and tone.  As we age, things don’t bounce back as quickly as they used to, and skin is no exception.  Collagen levels are different, so our skin is less elastic; cell turnover is not what it used to be, so our skin may look drier and duller.  There are plenty of products out there that can be used, but both men and women need to remember basic skin care.  Remember to protect your skin if you spend extensive periods of time in the sun and don’t forget that diet and fluid intake make a difference in your skin.

4.       Know Your Body

This is not the time to be scared of going to the doctor!  At this point in our lives, many of us have kids or are at least thinking about having them.  Knowing your health history and that of your family’s is a good idea, not only for us, but for our children.  There are many things in life that we can’t control, no matter what we do.  But know that we give up a measure of control if we don’t become knowledgeable about our own body and the stories it has to tell.  Notice any significant changes?  Talk to your doctor.  In fact, at your next physical, be sure to ask them what things you should be paying closer attention to at this point (whatever point that may be) in your life.

If you are in your late 20s or early 40s, some of what’s been mentioned may already or still apply to you, so take note.  And remember, if we pay closer attention to our bodies now while we are young, perhaps they’ll be less likely to betray us in 40 years.  Life, in large part, is what you decide to make of it.  Use these health tips to help the body keep up with your lifestyle later on down the road.

Shari Grant is a Registered Nurse in South Florida, where she was raised in a (very!) Jamaican home. Some of the loves of her life are words (both reading and writing them) and missions work. She enjoys spending time with friends and family while living for a good laugh - one that makes her belly ache and her eyes water. Her bottom line goal in life is to make the Lord smile and maybe even serve Him up a chuckle from time to time, too.