Five healthy choices to make in your 30s

WHILE some embrace the mega milestones with open arms, others consider the birthday a wakeup call to establish their career, move houses or start a family.

Life insurance

WHILE some embrace the mega milestones with open arms, others consider the birthday a wakeup call to establish their career, move houses or start a family.

Because of this, it’s not uncommon to refer to your 30s as a ‘pivotal health decade’, with the need to make major life decisions becoming a little more apparent. While admittedly, it all sounds a little serious, David Koczkar, Medibank Chief Customer Officer, believes establishing healthy habits and behaviours early on will set you up for the ultimate success.

“From a general health standpoint, your early 30s can be a time of immense change,” says David. “People this age are juggling their busy lives and potentially starting a family. And while having kids, does of course, bring with it many health choices, data shows that there are more claimsby women for mental health issues than childbirth each year, so it’s worth remembering that these lesser discussed claims can be of equal importance.”

So, before you blow out those 30 candles, have a think about these five health commandments.

GET COVERED, SAVE SOME COIN

While you may have skirted around health insurance in your 20s, your 30s might not be so forgiving. Once you turn 30, a two per cent loading is added to your hospital cover premium for every year you’re without hospital cover. This is called the Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading To avoid this loading, just take out hospital cover by July 1st following your 31st birthday, which is called your base day.. “While we’re lucky to have a strong public health system here in Australia, having private health insurance will provide added peace of mind in the event that the unexpected occurs,” David says. “Private hospital insurance can be particularly valuable if you’re looking to start a family in the not too distant future, and wish to go through your pregnancy and birth within the private system.

“From the age of 31, the LHC kicks in if you haven’t already taken out health insurance, so getting your cover sorted will likely see you tick a few important boxes.”

SWEAT IT OUT

You might’ve found salvation in the occasional green juice and yoga sesh in your 20s, but the next decade requires you to up the ante. “Practicing regular exercise has the ability to positively impact all facets of your life, from mental wellbeing and sleeping patterns, through to your weight,” David adds. Anyone looking to start up regular exercise but unsure where to begin should check out Medibank Free + Active, which offers a range of free, regular entry-level activities like parkrun.

SWAP FAST FOR FRESH

While Friday night pizza runs are fun, learning to prepare fresh food with nutritional value is a fundamental skill for life. “Understanding what food groups and portion sizes are recommended for your body will help you maintain a balanced diet, while eating plans are a good way to ensure variety and help keep your weight in check,” David says. “If you’re not sure how to improve your diet, have a chat to your GP or check out the government’s dietary guidelines.”

IT’S ALL ABOUT SUPPORT

Having a strong support network enhances mental wellbeing, especially during tough times. “Mental health is a significant public health issue, with economic and social consequence for all Australians,” David adds. “One in five Australians will experience a mental health condition in any given year, and almost one in two will experience a mental health condition at some point in their lifetime.

“It’s important to establish primary and secondary support networks in your 20s and 30s to ensure you remain socially connected. Although many of us require alone time now and then, it’s important for mental health and wellbeing that you never feel ‘alone’”.

FIND A DOCTOR YOU (ACTUALLY) LIKE

They see you snotty and sniffly, so you better like your GP. If you don’t, your 30s are the perfect time to find someone that supports you in sickness and in health. “Finding a GP who you trust and can build a rapport with is vital for your general health,” David says. “Having regular check-ups and being able to talk openly and honestly can be the difference between early detection, noticing changes in health and behavior and receiving personalised treatment.

Originally published as Five healthy choices to make in your 30s