5 habits that reduce lifespan

Driving for more than 30 minutes can cause sudden spikes and drops in blood sugar and blood pressure, increase anxiety and depression, and consequently shorten your lifespan.

People often try to develop healthy eating habits, exercise regularly, and strive for a work-life balance in order to prolong their lifespan. However, few realize that sitting in a car for more than 30 minutes, overexerting oneself during exercise, or retiring early can also reduce life expectancy.

1. Sitting in a car for more than 30 minutes.

Driving during rush hour is associated with sudden changes in blood sugar and blood pressure, and increases anxiety, depression, and feelings of dissatisfaction with life. This is the conclusion of a study by a team of scientists from the UK's Office for National Statistics.

Many studies show that skin cancer caused by ultraviolet rays also threatens drivers and passengers, while car windows do not completely block these rays. Therefore, the advice is to find a job near home to avoid long-distance driving. If this is difficult, arrange your schedule to avoid driving during rush hour or in the sun.

If you are forced to spend a lot of time in a car, try to breathe deeply to minimize the effects of stress on your body. In addition, drivers should wear sunglasses and install UV-protective window film on their cars, which reduces the risk of radiation exposure by 99%.

Driving a car can easily lead to stress, sudden fluctuations in blood sugar levels, and affect your lifespan. Photo: Womensday.

2. Excessive worrying

Women tend to worry about many things at once, a habit that actually reduces lifespan. A recent study showed that how you react to stress, even to minor issues, affects your health. “Excessive worrying has negative health effects. Chronic stress is a leading cause of premature death,” warns Dr. Carolyn Aldwin of Oregon State University.

To prevent this, Aldwin advises people to keep things under control. “Use a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is the point where war breaks out. So, where does the problem you’re facing fall? Consider whether you’re overthinking things and creating unnecessary stress,” Aldwin suggests.

3. Early retirement

Knowing the dangers of stress, some people consider early retirement. Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that in the first year of retirement, 40% of people were more likely to suffer a heart attack.

A 2013 French study also indicated that delaying retirement reduces the risk of dementia by 3% each year. Scientists explain that mental activity at work protects the brain better than allowing it to rest completely.

Here's some advice: Instead of quitting your job entirely to retire early, consider working part-time or volunteering. According to a recent study on "Aging and Happiness" by the Brookings Institute, people who work past retirement age are generally happier and more satisfied with their health than those who retire early.

4. Excessive exercise

Studies show that excessive training among athletes is linked to tooth decay. They often experience dry mouth and reduced saliva production, which increases the amount of bacteria in the oral cavity. There is a link between periodontal disease and heart disease; bacteria that proliferate in the mouth can damage the cardiovascular system.

Here's some advice for you when exercising: to avoid dry mouth, chew gum and drink plenty of water. Also, avoid sugary drinks and visit your dentist regularly to prevent cavities.

5. No friends at work.

Sitting all day in an office isn't good for your health, but lacking relationships with colleagues is even worse. A study published in the American Psychological Association found that people lacking support systems in the workplace have a higher risk of death than those with good relationships with colleagues.

According to VnExpress.