When you’re in the early years of your adulthood, it’s easy to feel like nothing can slow you down. You’re young, you’re free, and you’re independent! You’re taking life by the horns, finally doing what you want, and shedding any of the rules that used to hold you back.
All in all, it’s a time in life when you’re focusing on the fun and interesting things. And that often means it’s not a time when you’re thinking about your long term health and wellness!
But the more work you can do now, in your early 20s, the healthier you’re going to feel in 10 years’ time. As such, here are the 3 healthcare appointments you should think about booking at this point, whenever you get a moment to!
A Session with a Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists are often left off of the oral healthcare list, but they make up an essential part of it in the long term. Simply put, if you want to look after both your teeth and gums, a yearly trip to the hygienist will do you the world of good!
Because brushing, flossing, and rinsing out with mouthwash are good preventative activities – but they don’t go as far as we’d like them to. Sometimes you will be in need of a deep clean, and that’s particularly hard to do at home when you only have toothpaste and a brush.
A Hearing Test
Most people get their hearing tested when they’re kids, and that’s it until they find they have a problem with picking up on sounds or following conversation! But hearing tests are usually required every 10 years up until the age of about 60, at which they’re needed around every 2 to 3 years.
And if it’s been over 15 years since you last had your ears checked, you might want to book yourself in for a hearing test in the next couple of months! This way you can catch any irregularities in your hearing range early on, especially if you’re someone who loves loud music, festivals, and concerts.
A Sexual Health Checkup
And let’s not forget about your reproductive health! Even if you’re in a long term relationship and have been for a year or more, a sexual health checkup is essential.
When you have some routine STI tests done, you can double check you’re not living with an infection (many of which are asymptomatic), and you have the chance to speak to a nurse about any private sexual concerns.
Sexual health checkups aren’t just for the body; they give you peace of mind too! Anything you’re worried about, whether you’d like to ask about your physical anatomy or your mindset, can be aired during this kind of checkup.
When you hit your early 20s, make sure you take some time for your health. Both mind and body matter, and the more you lean into preventive, long term care, the fitter and stronger you’re going to feel in the future.
