This is a guest post by Clara Masters.
For most of us, turning 30 is a major milestone. Your twenties are officially behind you, and you’ve truly begun to establish yourself as an adult. Your career has probably started to take off, and you might have started a family. Your body will also start to change. For example, you may notice that some areas are not quite as firm as they once were.
It's fair to say that reaching your thirties can trigger a mixture of emotions. The good news? There’s lots of great stuff about reaching your fourth decade. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect:
1. Your self-confidence will improve: Research shows that the typical woman experiences a surge of self-esteem in her thirties, which lasts for several decades. If you have spent a lot of your twenties feeling self-conscious and awkward, this will come as excellent news!
The inevitable mistakes and embarrassment of your twenties are priceless. They teach you to stop caring what other people think and to have more faith in your own judgment. By your thirtieth birthday, you will start to have a better understanding of your own needs and ambitions.
2. Your skin texture starts to change: There’s no getting around the fact that the speed of cell regeneration slows with age. As a child, your skin cells changed every two weeks. Dermatologist Joshua Zeichmer advises that by your thirties, this increases to 28-35 days.
The solution is to exfoliate two to three times each week to restore your skin’s glow. You can also use a facial cleansing brush massager to improve its texture and diminish the signs of ageing. You should also invest in a sunscreen for daily wear.
Although cellulite –dimples of fat that appear under skin – occurs in women of all ages, it may become more noticeable. Fortunately, regular exercise and weight loss can help. You can improve the appearance of your skin using a cellulite massager.
Remember, pregnancy and birth are hard on your body. Try to get in shape and reach a healthy weight before getting pregnant. If you are in a relationship and can’t agree whether to have children, it may be time to part ways. This can be painful, but can also herald a wonderful period of personal growth.
4. You realize that you might have lost some old friends: Along with your mind and body, your social life will also undergo changes. It’s normal to drift away from old friends, especially as life becomes busier with career, relationship, and family-related concerns. However, there is nothing to stop you making new friends as an adult.
5. You understand the importance of self-love: Family and friends are wonderful, but you cannot depend on them for validation. In your thirties, you will start to realize that the only approval you need is your own. It’s time to love yourself just as you are, warts and all.
If accepting yourself is difficult, print out some love yourself quotes and review them daily. Seek out therapy if you are still struggling with issues around self-image, mood, or a loss of direction.
Turning 30 is nothing to fear. Our teens and twenties are usually fraught with insecurity and angst. Leaving them behind is a wonderful opportunity for a fresh start. Enjoy the renewed confidence and purpose this decade will bring. If you take care of your body and mind, you will keep feeling young for a long time yet.
Author Bio
Clara is an entrepreneur and content marketer. In a former life, as a corporate business executive, she relied on yoga, reflexology and other alternative practices to fight stress, anxiety and find balance. At Massageaholic.com she’s on a mission to bring massage therapy closer to those who want to live a balanced, healthy life, connecting body, mind and spirit. You can follow her on Facebook and Pinterest.