10 Healthy Habits I Started In My Thirties

Today I’m going to share with you my top 10 healthy habits I started in my thirties and how they truly have changed my life!

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1. Acupuncture/ Acupressure Points

I tried acupuncture in my twenties, but I wasn’t consistent. It wasn’t until I was pregnant with my daughter, Sage, that I decided to try acupuncture again. I wasn’t sleeping well and struggling with indigestion and so; I was trying to find a natural alternative for some relief to relieve me. It wasn’t until I started using acupuncture consistently and on a schedule that I started to see the most significant differences.

I also started to use it in conjunction with my acupressure mat. I know you’ve heard me talk about my acupressure mat before (I swear by it). Using the acupressure mat is something anyone can use from the comfort of their home. It differs from acupuncture, but you’re still hitting the pressure points. It’s great for sleep, muscle aches, anxiety, and headaches. I even have their travel version because I do not leave home without it.

A woman laying on an acupressure mat on the left and on the right is the results of using the acupressure mat. Her skin on her back is red and you can see where she was laying on the mat.

2. Hypnosis/Meditation

I don’t talk about hypnosis and meditation as much as I should because it’s truly saved my life and I’m not being over dramatic. This made a big difference in my day-to-day life; I started to feel like a functioning human after starting hypnosis/ meditation. I’ve struggled a lot with anxiety my entire life, but it started to hit me hard in my mid-twenties. When I turned thirty, I decided I needed to try something new and scheduled an appointment with a Hypnotist. I started going to him weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly. Do you see a theme? Just like acupuncture, this takes time to start working and building on. You can’t just try something once and hope it changes your life. You don’t get abs from going to the gym once. Seeing the real results takes consistency and creating a consistent routine.

I then started meditating every single day. I did this for one whole year and then two whole years; before I knew it, it was something I did every day. It’s important to take time to reset, breathe, and tune into your body. Doing this every single day has done wonders for me. I believe that everyone should incorporate some relaxation into their daily routine. People who say, “I can’t do it,” need it the most. I was that person, and chances are you’re fighting it internally and need to find a way to relax and tune into your body. If you don’t know where to start, you can find help on YouTube, Apps, podcasts, and Pinterest

Nikole meditating sitting down with her hands together in prayer near the center of her chest.

3. Creating Boundaries

This is something that I’m still trying to get the hang of. I’m trying hard not to be always available to the world. I’m a mom and have my child wanting my attention all day, as she should; she’s little and needs her mom. With that said, I don’t need to be everyone else’s mom. I’m learning to set boundaries, say no to things, and change my schedule to fit my new lifestyle. I’ve started not to work too late and not to work on the weekends. Something new I’m trying is setting my phone to focus mode. Using focus mode on my phone has allowed me time to focus on things that need my attention now. It helps me not get distracted by everything else in the world. It’s been a hard adjustment (I’m a people pleaser), but I’m learning to prioritize myself; I’m seeing huge changes in my day-to-day life and staying focused.

This image is showing an image of an iphone and how to access the focus features within iphone. Listed on the image is Do Not Disturb, Personal, Work, and Sleep.

4. Yoga Tune-Up Balls

Something happens in your thirties, you can wake up, and your neck and back aches begin! (I know I’m not alone) The Yoga Tune-Up Balls one word “WOW” They are $30 dollars on Amazon; I had a massage therapist sell them to me. I found this sequence on YouTube, its about 15-20 minutes. This woman goes through several stretches on how to use them for your neck, shoulders, and back. In the video, she does the same stretch at the beginning and at the end to compare the two before and after the routine, and let me tell you. The difference is black and white. These Yoga Tune-Up Balls and this YouTube sequence have been something I started that has changed my mobility and overall body well-being. The balls are $30, and you YouTube the stretches for free! I fixed your back; you’re welcome! Seriously though, give it a try, it’s really helped me, and I hope it can help you too.

5. Crossfit

Never in a million years did I think I would be a person to go to CrossFit. It just seems really intimidating, and it was meant for bodybuilders. (Not for me). Let me tell you, I love it! Every day is so different, and it’s just fun. The community is great; people bring their dogs and their children. It’s a great way to meet new people and help stay motivated to move your body to feel strong.

6. Spending Time In Nature

I know you’ve heard me talk about going outside every single day. I started to really do this in my late twenties and definitely in my thirties. This isn’t just stepping outside your door or going outside to your backyard. I mean really getting into nature and spending time outside. When I was pregnant with Sage, I started taking long walks; I would be outside for 1-2 hours just walking in the forest. Do what’s best for you, but taking these long walks helped me feel grounded and connected with the world (cheesy but true), clear my mind, and reset my nervous system.

7. Reading Fiction

In my twenties, I was all about cookbooks, business, and self-help, and I wanted to learn when I read. In my thirties, I switched to reading more fiction and for fun. What I learned was when I read fiction, I get into the story. (It’s junk food for the brain). I love reading fiction now; I love getting into the story. It’s been a good thing that I’ve been doing right before bedtime. I used to watch a lot of NetFlix and YouTube before bed, but now I spend time reading a good fiction book to wind down.

8. I Stopped Casually Drinking

This happened because I got pregnant with Sage, and I’ve been breastfeeding for almost two years. Yes, I can have an occasional drink, but I honestly realized that I wouldn’t say I liked feeling drunk, and I don’t like being hungover (especially as a mom) the next day. I feel like in your twenties, there’s this sense of pressure or that you’re not fun if you do not drink. Yes, I love the occasional glass of wine, maybe two if I want… but honestly, one glass of wine and I’m good. In your twenties, it just feels like alcohol is the one substance that it’s almost socially okay to push on people. You don’t need alcohol to have fun, and that’s okay. (No excuses needed.)

9. Listening to Binaural Frequencies

I started this in my twenties but used it more frequently in my thirties. I use an app called BrainWave by Focus Relax Mediate Sleep. It was recommended to me by my therapist and has helped me a lot with my overall mood. I will YouTube grounding binaural frequencies, and I love playing it in the background while I’m working or cooking. I’m not an expert on Binaural Frequencies, but if you want to learn more, I suggest watching this video on Do Binaural Beats Work?

10. Essential Oils

If you’ve been following me for a while now, you know that I use essential oils in almost every aspect of my life. They have a positive impact on my overall mood, health, and skin. I use essential oils in so many different ways. There is literally an essential oil for everything! If you want to learn more about essential oils, I have a free 7-day email course; the materials get sent right to your inbox every day for seven days, and you can learn all about the different uses and all the different ways I use them in my life.

Essential oils and and oil diffuser. The essential oils pictured are orange. cedar wood, lavender.

These are the 10 healthy habits I started in my thirties that I truly believe changed my life for the best. If you’re interested in part 2, where I go into detail about what I’ve done differently with my skincare routine in my thirties, let me know below!Β 

Make sure to check out my best-selling cookbooks, The HealthNut Cookbook and The Baby HealthNut Cookbook. I’m currently working on The Baby HealthNut Cookbook 2, which is coming soon!

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    7 comments
  1. My name is Maude. I am a mother of a crazy 15 month old boy, Henry. I discovered healthnut one day while scrolling through some recipes I was wanting to try, and I have to say, I am so glad I did! I have watched your channel before I got pregnant, during my pregnancy, and now 15 months postpartum. Your channel is amazing, very encouraging for us that want and enjoy to live a healthy lifestyle. I would love to have a skin care video uploaded for women in their 30s. I eat well, exercise, etc, but my skin care is lacking and can use some help. I also like to understand why you choose thw products you do. Thanks again, Nikole. Keep up the great work!