Article Contents
Science is clear. There are no safe limits for smoking. Even smoking a single cigarette stick a day is deadly. What’s even more alarming, smoking causes damage to DNA.
Moreover, even vaping e-cigarettes have unhealthy consequences to heart health. With all these health risks of smoking, it seems nothing can beat it.
Well, you’re wrong. Certain things we experience in life that is as deadly as smoking when they become habits.
Things With Deadly Consequences As Smoking
Now, let us quickly explore these five things with deadly consequences as smoking when you make them habitual.
Many of these seem to be benign. However, behind the scenes, it creates health risks. Ignoring them can have serious consequences on health and even fatal.
51. Loneliness
Believe it or not, loneliness has now been labeled as an epidemic. As a matter of fact, researchers say loneliness epidemic pose a greater risk than obesity. In fact, chronic loneliness can manifest physical symptoms.
One study1 back in 2010 finds loneliness can reduce people’s lifetime similar to smoking 15 sticks of cigarettes a day.
It’s OK to be lonely but doesn’t make loneliness run your life. Make certain lifestyle changes that can replace loneliness with happiness. For instance, make new friends and connect with them socially both on social media and meet them in person.
Even being compassionate by giving others a helping hand is a great thing to overcome loneliness.
42. Excessive Hours of Sitting
Sitting looks benign and normal. However, excessive hours of sitting alters the body’s metabolic processes. In 2014, one study2 finds that sitting all day increases risks of cancers.
Unfortunately, those working on desks spending most of their sitting are not exempted. Other situations where sitting is prevalent like binge watching TV and driving, or commuting are all considered sitting at risks.
What’s even more alarming as the researchers find, every 2-hour increment of sitting time increases risks of lung, endometrial, and colon cancers.
Unfortunately, even exercising is not enough to counter the negative effects of excessive hours of sitting.
Hence, if you’re among these people who sit most of the day, aim to stand and walk from time to time. Also, do this yoga pose daily to help counter the effect at some point.
Keep in mind, sitting excessively is now equivalent to smoking. So, why sitting is unhealthy and what are the hidden risks? This quick video explains it.
33. Sleep Deprivation
We spend a third of our life sleeping and truly quality sleep is essential for health and wellness. There are many side effects of sleep deprivation including skin and prostate health.
Today, sleep deprivation is another huge public health problem. In fact, in the U.S. alone, there are 50 to 70 million Americans with sleep problems, says the CDC.
In one study3, researchers find sleep deprivation is a factor for heart disease. And, in 2015, Professor Valery Gafarov from World Health Organization also says the same thing and the effects have similarities to smoking.
Sleep is not a trivial issue. In our study, it was associated with double the risk of a heart attack and up to four times the risk of stroke. Poor sleep should be considered a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease along with smoking, lack of exercise and poor diet. Guidelines should add sleep as a risk factor to recommendations for preventing cardiovascular disease. –Source
24. Indoor Tanning
Today, the majority are afraid of the sunlight as it causes skin cancers due to radiation. However, in reality, the sun is the unlimited source of the right kind of Vitamin D.
What about indoor tanning? Is it safer than sunlight as it is more controlled? Well, not so. Indoor tanning is potentially more dangerous than cigarette smoking.
One study4 says that indoor tanning can cause skin cancer. What’s even more alarming as the study finds, indoor tanning causes more cases of skin cancer than smoking causing lung cancer.
The U.S. Foods and Drugs Administration considers UV radiation from indoor tanning beds as carcinogenic.
On the other hand, to be fair, a Vitamin D expert although he does not recommend indoor tanning, says there are some benefits. Here are his recommendations especially for people going to tanning salons for Vitamin D purposes.
Otherwise, to stay on the safe side, better opt for a bright light therapy during wintertime.
15. Poor Nutrition or Diet
When it comes to achieving and maintaining good health, good nutrition is essential. Unfortunately, in today’s modern food supply, the right kinds of foods are less available.
Sure, we find a wide range of cheap and affordable foods. However, these foods have high amount of added sugars and highly processed. For example, hot dogs are among these highly processed foods with health risks.
Highly processed foods are bad for heart health and study5 finds it can cause cancers.
Another thing in which most people indulge these days is unhealthy oils. In one report where researchers studying death rates due to poor diet says, poor diet mortality risks exceed than those of unprotected sex, drugs, alcohol and tobacco combined.
Conclusion
These are just five of the many deadly habits with equivalent risks as smoking. Hence, start putting your efforts avoiding these unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Instead, exercise regularly and eat healthy. Focus on eating mood-boosting foods such fresh fruits and vegetables, dark green leafy veggies, beets, and avoid or minimize added sugar consumption.
Focus on eating whole foods preferably organic as these foods nurture the beneficial bacteria in the gut.