Science has been studying this for a long time and lots of research has been conducted. Of course, causation and correlation come into play when we talk about some of these things. Some activities can actually cause you to live less, but some may just be a coincidence and other aspects may have to be considered.
Sitting a lot
Sedentarism can really have an impact on longevity, and sitting a lot is one of the main culprits. This is indeed bad news for those who have to spend the vast majority of their working hours sitting at a desk. Trying to incorporate some breaks to stand for a while, or using a standing desk, may be helpful.
Too Little Sleep
If you regularly get less than five hours of sleep per night, your risk of death is higher than someone who stays in bed for an extra couple of hours.
Too Much Red Meat
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a nice steak or a juicy burger once in a while. If you do so every single day, though, we have bad news for you. Daily red meat ingestion is estimated to increase your risk of death by about 13%.
Spending a lot of Time Inside
We’ve written before about what happens to your body when you stop going outside. The gist of it is that it’s not good for you. Spending a lot of time indoors is unhealthy, and will increase your risk of death.
Forgetting to Floss
Brushing your teeth and flossing is a way to ensure you get rid of bacteria that may potentially travel to other parts of your body. One study actually found that flossing your teeth can add as much as 6.4 years to your life expectancy.
Sitting in Traffic
People who commute longer distances not only spend more time sitting, but they also have less time to be active. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine concluded that “commuting distance was adversely associated with physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, adiposity, and indicators of metabolic risk.”
Cracking your Neck
Do you crack your neck on a regular basis? Well, there are some risks associated with this habit that can lead to an early death. There have been cases where people did so, tore an artery, and a blood clot formed, resulting in a stroke. It may feel good, but it’s a habit that may reduce your life expectancy.
Being Chronically Unhappy
Being unhappy is normal, and we’re all down from time to time. But spending year upon year under a gray cloud can take years off our lives.
Worrying About Death
As ironic as it may sound, worrying about death can lead to an early death. If you live with high levels of anxiety about your own mortality, this can impact your health.
Isolating Yourself
Humans are social beings and we need to connect with other humans. Research based on 148 studies found that people with strong social relationships had a 50% lower risk of premature death compared to those who didn’t.