FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Being a young adult isn’t easy.
There are a number of factors that can affect their overall well-being, from social pressures to lack of support.
It can have long-term impacts on their health.
“Our mental health is very important so that we can control our stress and we can function better,” says Dr. Reimarie Pineda with Kaiser Permanente in Fresno.
A new study shows there are steps that young adults can take to go from surviving to thriving.
Getting good sleep at night is the first step.
“It is a very active process,” Dr. Pineda said. “It helps us recharge. It restores the functions of our brain so that we can function better.”
A study in the science journal “PLOS One” found that getting higher-quality sleep was the biggest contributor to a young adult’s well-being.
Dr. Pineda says that how we sleep at night can affect how we function in the day.
“If we are sleep deprived, our cortisol levels are higher chronically, and so we are more prone to eating, eating mindlessly,” she said.
Researchers say a healthy diet also plays a role in a young adult’s well-being.
The study found that eating more fruits and vegetables, despite a poor night’s sleep, could help offset negative moods.
“Whatever we feed our bodies is what will give us energy,” Dr. Pineda said.
Research also showed that exercise also provided positive benefits.
While it might not be easy to change our habits, doctors say it’s also about having the right mindset.
“We have to realize or figure out what our motivation is for doing this,” Dr. Pineda said. “Motivation usually comes from within.”
Doctors say no matter if you’re in your 20s or if you’re aging with grace, it’s never too late to change your lifestyle to a healthier one.
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