When you were young, there were probably quite a few things your parents told you that went in one ear and out the other. Today, you’re paying for it. Taking care of yourself from a young age is important, which is why your parents wanted you to do the following four things in the first place:

1. Dental Care
   Countless children tell their first lies when asked if they brushed their teeth. On top of that, kids have a tendency to fear the dentist. This is unfortunate, as family dentists are there to make kids feel comfortable while they prevent cavities, discoloration, and crooked teeth. If you refused braces, neglected good brushing habits, and ignored the advice of your dentist, you might have some painful dental problems as an adult. From basic aesthetic issues to excruciating root canals, neglecting oral hygiene is never a good idea. There’s a reason tooth decay is five times as common as asthma and 20 times more common than diabetes.
2. Exercise
   Getting a few hours of daily exercise isn’t hard, but sometimes kids would rather spend time on what interests them most. While pursuing hobbies is important, taking time out of your video gaming to maintain a healthy lifestyle could prevent serious health issues later in life. Luckily, it’s never too late to start.
3. Healthy Eating
   Forming good eating habits is a foreign concept to many kids, who naturally crave sweet and salty junk food. Chips, popcorn, candy, chocolate, and cake are all much more delicious to the immature palate. If you never formed good eating habits, you open yourself up to a litany of physical conditions that could seriously complicate your health.
4. Skin Care
   Did your parents ever tell you to put on sunscreen when you went to the beach? More importantly, did you listen? Sunscreen might be inconvenient and goopy, but it can save your skin from premature aging and cancer. Make sure to take proper precautions as an adult.

Kids have every reason to want to ignore these things. They are boring, annoying, and silly at the time. When you grow up, however, the things you neglected in the past have a way of catching up to you. Visit your dentist, go for a walk, buy a vegetable or two, and lay off the unprotected tanning and you might be able to form new, better habits today.