We all know the easiest ways to self-destruct, and yet some of us blindly race to the finish line at the earliest time we could.

A lack of some things can kill. Obesity, diabetes, and cancer are only some of the serious problems caused by inadequate sleep or sleep that is less than 7 or 8 hours a night. Mental fatigue can kill. On the other hand, the degenerative brain disease called Alzheimer’s may be avoided by engaging in mental activities and exercises such as reading, doing crosswords, mind games, and solving puzzles. Snooze the brain and risk physical destruction.

A lot of some things can kill. Driving a lot is an example. In the US, for instance, ‘driving kills more people aged 1 to 35 than anything else, a statistic that could drop to near zero if everyone just stayed home.’ Everyone knows that excessive alcohol consumption kills. Drinking a lot can be deadly. Alcoholism causes liver damage, period. A lot of stress is also destructive. Being stressed out is a guaranteed path to all kinds of diseases that attack the body. ‘When you’re chronically stressed, the adrenal glands are forced to work overtime and eventually exhaust themselves, inhibiting the immune system.’

Some indulgences can also kill. We all know the deadly aftermath of smoking and eating junk food. They taste good or feel good that is why some of us indulge in them, but they are definitely not good. ‘Just one cigarette will immediately increase your blood pressure and decrease the circulation to your extremities.’ On the other hand, heart disease is the US’ number one killer, for example, and ‘most of it is due to fat-laden, sugar-heavy’ junk food. Indulgence in too much sex can also be a path to self-destruction especially if one ‘doesn’t use protection, ignores the partner’s sexual history and shuns the annual medical exam.’ The result is STDs. One of the most mindless indulgences is watching too much television that gives one a sedentary lifestyle resulting in obesity.

Image

Via Live Science