Every year, countless people decide to move into their own places as they start their careers. It is an experience that many dream of. What could be better than the freedom to live on your own terms and make your own rules, right?
It can be exhilarating for a while, but life can also be a little more challenging. From doing the laundry, cooking meals, and cleaning, solo life may not be as glamorous as it initially seemed.
More importantly, it can be easy to neglect your health. Thus, it becomes important to prepare yourself well. In this article, let’s look at three aspects that are worth investing in for a healthier and more productive life.
1) A Good Mattress For Sound Sleep
Lack of good sleep has many effects on your health. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, up to 70 million Americans have issues with their sleep. Physically, poor sleep can weaken your immune system, cause cardiovascular problems and weight gain. This is in addition to the given side effects like fatigue and low energy.
Mentally, a lack of sleep can be even more dangerous. It has the power to affect your analytical skills, as well as your decision-making and problem-solving abilities. It can also affect your mood, and make it difficult for you to deal with stress.
While bad sleep habits are often the root cause of sleep issues, a comfortable mattress can solve many problems. If you haven’t experienced the pleasure of a soft mattress, head to a nearby furniture store and try one. Some mattresses can be so comfortable that you are likely to fall asleep right in the store.
However, don’t be surprised if the softest one doesn’t suit you. Mattress Verdict states that comfort is relative, and that’s a statement we can agree with. Some people fall asleep only on firm, unyielding mattresses. Others may prefer the gentle embrace of memory foam.
According to Mattress Verdict, memory foam mattresses are a good option for people in need of pressure and pain relief. If you play a lot of sports or lift weights, these mattresses can be one of your best friends. Quality options can indeed be expensive, but you get your money’s worth. The better ones can last you for several years, making it a great investment.
2) A Gym Membership
After living by yourself for a while, you will be shocked at how easy it is to let yourself go. Many young people find themselves putting on weight after they move out. This is closely associated with a drop in healthy eating habits and a more sedentary lifestyle.
You will want to take active steps to prevent the health issues that obesity and weight gain bring. Developing a habit of self-improvement is critical, and few things do it as well as the gym.
Living alone can also become isolating after a while. You will find that going to the gym is one of the best ways to meet new people.
If you deal with a lot of stress or anxiety, working out can be one of the best coping mechanisms. Making the gym a habit can also prevent you from falling into unhealthy ones, like binge eating, and excessive drinking.
3) Your Cooking Skills
One of the biggest challenges you will face is managing your finances. In this context, food plays a major role.
It’s no secret that eating out can be wildly expensive, especially if you live in a big city. CNET has a great article that shows how much money you save by cooking at home. When you take into account the delivery fees and taxes, you’re looking at an obscene upcharge.
According to CNET, you save 75% of your money by making the same recipes at home. Doing so can be amazing if you are just starting out in your career. (To be honest, eating out is a lot of money regardless of where you are in your career.)
That said, there are a few exceptions to this. One of them would be if cooking at home significantly impacts your earning potential. For instance, let’s say you’re an entrepreneur that hustles for an income. Taking 45 minutes to cook a good meal can cost you more money than you saved by losing potential income.
However, if you work a conventional 9 to 5 job, you should absolutely be learning how to cook. All you need is a few good recipes that you can master. You will soon find yourself relying on them instead of Uber Eats whenever your stomach rumbles.
With time, you can learn more recipes and spend your saved-up money on things that make you happy. Cooking is also a great skill to impress people with. There’s nothing quite like watching the reactions on your friend’s faces when you reveal a tasty meal was your handiwork.
Conclusion
Life is complicated, but many times, it is because we allow it to be. Living on your own and taking care of yourself helps you remember that you are solely responsible for your well-being.
Living alone is definitely challenging. We aren’t denying that. However, it is a normal part of life that we all need to prepare for.
You may start to realize why your parents stressed the importance of good habits so much when you were young. Many of our problems with cleanliness, discipline, and diet can be addressed by ensuring you keep healthy habits. Thankfully, it’s never too late to start improving yourself.
