A Millennial's Survival Guide to Lifestyle Demands

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: HANNAH STEVENS

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It's a tough time for millennials. As the largest population in the U.S. today, millenials are often referred to as the most confused generation - compelling marketers to throw out the old rules and start testing new ones. With an increasingly uncertain future ahead, and plenty of unrealistic lifestyle demands, it can be hard to keep up with Insta-fueled appearances.
Here's our guide to surviving today's millennial demands:
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1. Don't Skimp On Your Health
We know that money matters - and the 20s and 30s are often the most financially unstable point in a person's life. Nevertheless, it's important to put your money where it's most effective long-term, and you should never skip out on your health. Besides eating healthy and exercising regularly, you should also keep up with doctor and dentist checkups, and always be aware of your mental health. Lifestyle stressors are a known cause of restlessness and sleep loss, which can come with a slew of other side effects, so it's best to prioritize the number one thing affecting your overall health and wellness - you.


2. Budget, Budget, Budget
Financial literacy is one of the most vital life skills one can learn, and will carry over to just about everything you do in life. By setting yourself reasonable budgets and monthly goals for your income and expenses, you won't feel so overwhelmed by financial worry. If you have a student loan or credit card debts, plan early to set aside money each month to help pay them off. Once you know what you're up against, you'll be "adulting" in no time.


3. Travel Cheap
Traveling is transformational. Experiencing different cultures, foods and ways of life first-hand is an eye-opening and mind-expanding journey that doesn't have to break the bank. If you're itching to hop a plane and find yourself, there are plenty of strategies to travel on a budget. Taking advantage of flash flight sales, loyalty programs, public transportation and hostel accommodation are all great ways to save money on the road. If you have extended vacation time, you can even look into volunteer programs where you exchange labor for room and board.


4. Treat Yourself
Millennial burnout is real. Between financial debt, an unstable job market, the precarious state of the economy, and endless expectations, it can be hard to carve out time to simply enjoy life. But setting aside the time and resources for fun and games is essential to living a happy and healthy life. Keeping up with all the demands of a 20- or 30-something lifestyle can be overwhelming, so don't forget that these should be some of the best years of your life - full of adventure, personal growth, pleasure and reflection. Go hiking, learn to paint, splurge on skin-care products and make the most of it!