Exiting your twenties is an exciting time, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. For many, your 30s and 40s are the years where everything compounds and obstacles like buying a home, starting a family and building a career all align. It’s easy to let the pressures associated with these factors overwhelm, leading to stress and anxiety. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to ease the burden. Here are four simple things that will help you cope with your 30s and 40s – and enjoy them.  

Slow down

It can feel like time is moving faster and faster during these years of your life – with so much on your plate, the days seem to move at breakneck speed, and it can be hard to keep up. Feeling like you’re always behind only increases stress, so pause for a moment, breathe deeply and take control of the pace your life is travelling. If it feels like you are constantly playing catch up, redefine the perimeters of your life to ensure you can meet demands without pushing yourself too far. Take ownership of your time, prioritising the things that matter most to you and letting go of the things that aren’t essential. It’s okay to say no to a dinner if all it’s going to do is create added pressure. Don’t feel guilty if you can’t fit everything into your week, all the time – there is always the option of rescheduling.  

Have a plan

In order to achieve everything you’re hoping for, it’s important to set goals. Ask yourself what it is that you most want to tick off the list during these significant years. Really think about it – weigh up the pros and cons and assess which things you can focus on further down the track. If you commit first and foremost to saving for a house, will this ultimately make you happy, or will you feel unfulfilled because you didn’t put all of your energy into your career? It’s time to ask yourself the hard questions and determine your deepest wants.  

Show kindness to your body

While setting and working towards those goals is important, it’s equally important that you don’t neglect your wellbeing. Take time out to respect your body, so that it remains healthy over the coming years. As we age, so do our bodies – they might change shape, your skin might become less firm, wrinkles more pronounced. This can often lead to low self-esteem or self-loathing – on top of our other pressures, we feel unconfident about our changing appearance. Showing respect for our bodies during this time is of the utmost importance. Love the changes you see in your body – it is part of the ageing process, which is a beautiful part of life. Reaffirm what you love about your body and show gratitude for its strength.  

…and nourish it

Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise regime sets the foundation for your physical wellbeing as you enter this important period of your life. Focus on those areas of your body that you don’t feel so good about with regular, targeted exercise, so that you can continue feeling confident and beautiful in the coming years. Reconsider your diet, and how you can make healthy eating work for you – maybe a home delivery meal kit service is the best option for you or simply planning ahead and making your lunches in advance will work. Try to increase your vegetable and water intake, and if you have concerns, visit a nutritionist for expert advice.