Our daily activities certainly play a role in our long-term well being. Apart from the immense toxins present in the environment due to pollution, many people still consciously introduce harmful chemicals into their body – i.e. drugs, alcohol, food preservatives, etc. Apart from these habits, there are 7 other factors that have a serious influence on the body and can negatively impact overall longevity.
Disclaimer: It is important to note that inflammation is key factor in the degradation of the body; evidence suggests that chronic inflammation leads to horrendous conditions like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, heart disease – almost all major serious conditions. It is important that the readers know that inflammation is the result of most of the bullet points listed in the post.

Allergies
To put it simply, allergic reactions is a cause of inflammation and if one has severe allergies, then they are often suffering from chronic inflammation. For this reason, it is highly encouraged that everyone visits an allergist to learn about the things they may be allergic to. Often, allergies are not a result of a food item or seasonal changes but various other ingredients that could be found in cosmetic/toiletry items and clothes.

Sleep
Most understand the importance of getting enough sleep – busy schedules and the desire to balance work and play time influences the amount of sleep one could afford to gain. Unfortunately, lack of sleep also results in inflammation, but that is just the beginning of its many consequences.Chronic lack of sleep not only influences one’s cognitive wellbeing (bad mood, ability to focus, ability to retain memory are just few of the surfacing consequences), but also metabolism, the immune system, and proper function of organs. Lack of sleep has also been indicated as one of the prime reasons for heart disease, as well.

Weight
For the body to function properly, it is best to maintain the weight according to the individual’s BMI – anything above or below influences all corners of the body. An individual falls under the obese category once he/she surpasses a higher BMI point. Type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, cancer, kidney disease, osteoarthritis, fatty liver disease, and pregnancy problems are just a few of the problems associated with being obese.
Similarly, being underweight is also harmful to one’s wellbeing. Severe loss of muscle is the most common issue related to being underweight. An underweight person can face conditions such as serious vitamin deficiencies, anemia, organ damages/failures, and infertility.

Retiring Early
Most people that retire early spiral into depression. Luckily, advances in medicine and technology have certainly helped extend the life expectancy rate. Due to this, many retirees are choosing to continue to work well past their mid-60s and even into their 70s – and kudos to them.

Staying active and keeping oneself busy is the key to remaining happy and healthy after retirement. This can come in the form of having an easygoing part-time job, travelling, learning a new trade, or even getting a new degree – hence why many retirees find homes in college town after retirement.

Your Headphones and Concerts
Many people prefer to listen to their music on the highest volume. While it may be a thrilling experience, years of blasting music can take a huge toll on the ears – and nothing will make a person feel older than losing the ability to hear. Similarly, many do not take precautionary methods to protect their ears in concerts – most venues sell ear buds and using them is highly encouraged.

Taking these precautions is even more necessary as most never take the time to get their ears checked – but only after the damage is done. Ear checkups are encouraged along with other physical checkups and blood work at least once a year.

Loneliness
Along with the obvious depression and stress, loneliness also influences blood pressure, the immune system, and can be the cause of heart attack and stroke – and the older one is, the worse it can be.

Tim Smith, Brigham Young University psychology researcher and co-author of a study finding links between loneliness and obesity, says, “Not only are we at the highest recorded rate of living alone across the entire century, but we’re at the highest recorded rates ever on the planet.” The study showed that loneliness increased a person’s risk of death by 26 percent. More details on the study can be found here.

Processed Carbs and Fake Food
The availability at all hours along with the immensely low prices certainly makes junk food appealing – but what it does internally to one’s body is exactly the opposite. Packaged/processed foods are filled with questionable ingredients and although given the green light for consumption by the FDA have shown signs to cause various cancers and organ failures – along with the very obvious weight gain. While health conscious people understand this, parents must stress the importance of eating right to their kids now more than ever.

Many feel that all calories are the same and thus what they eat does not matter – however all foods metabolize differently and therefore the quality and content of the food must be kept highly under consideration.