Your 20s are a time of vitality, exploration and making memories, a time when one feels invincible. Thinking about looking after one’s joints for the future is not top of one’s list. This might only occur to them in 10 years when they start feeling a twinge here and there.
The truth is that the 20s are a crucial time to start thinking about the future health of your body, particularly your joints. “Joints play a critical role in your ability to move freely and perform daily activities,” said Selvan Naicker, brand manager for OsteoEze.
“Establishing good joint-care habits in your 20s helps to maintain flexibility and range of motion, allowing you to stay active and independent as you grow older.”
There are different ways to keep your joints healthy at any age. Exercise, weight management, stretching before exercising, adding a joint-protection supplement to your diet and good nutrition can help keep them in good condition. “These small changes to your lifestyle can be implemented at any time and, obviously, the sooner the better,” Naicker added.
A joint protection supplement is formulated for the maintenance of healthy joints to help protect the tendons around the joints, improving elasticity, joint mobility, and function.
Although we all know how to keep our joints healthy, the implementation of these “joint protection rules” comes when we understand “the why”. When we know “the why” our instinct for making habitual changes kicks in.
Naicker offered the following reasons as to why looking after joints from our 20s is important:
- Aging isn’t for the faint hearted, which is why your 20s is the perfect time to start looking after your joints helping to prevent long-term damage. Conditions where the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone occur, can begin to develop earlier than you may think.
- Strong, flexible joints support better posture, balance, and coordination. They also allow you to engage in a wide variety of physical activities, which are essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and mental well-being.
- Proper joint care reduces the risk of injuries, such as sprains, strains and fractures. Early injury prevention is key to avoiding chronic joint problems that can develop from repeated trauma or improper healing.
- Whether you enjoy sports, dancing, hiking or simply playing with your kids, healthy joints allow you to participate in these activities without pain or limitations.
- Joint health is closely linked to the strength of your bones and muscles. Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, running and strength training, help to build bone density and muscle mass. This not only supports your joints but also reduces the risk of fractures later in life.
- Physical activity and joint health are not just about the body; they also play a significant role in mental health. Regular exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Additionally, being able to move without pain or restriction contributes to a positive outlook and overall mental well-being.
- By taking care of your joints now, you can potentially avoid expensive medical treatments, surgeries, and rehabilitation associated with joint-related conditions.
Caring for your joints in your 20s is an investment in your long-term health and well-being. By taking proactive steps now you can prevent chronic conditions, maintain mobility and flexibility, support overall physical and mental health, and enjoy a higher quality of life.
Naicker concluded: “Remember, the habits you establish today will have a lasting impact on your future, so make joint care a priority and enjoy the benefits for years to come.”
