When we’re young, there are lots of things we take for granted. Our health is one example, as we only realize how precious it is when our knees start cracking in our 20s or when we start waking up in the morning with our backs aching in our 30s.
No one is immune to bad habits; it’s just a matter of getting rid of them in time. Among Americans, the consensus is that a lack of exercise, not saving money, procrastinating, and a lack of sleep are the most common bad habits, according to a 2022 survey by YouGov.
Unfortunately, that wisdom about which habits are harmful and which are good for you may come later in life. That’s why it’s sometimes beneficial to listen to our elders about them — after all, they might be living proof that smoking that cool cigarette can be really bad for you.
In a recent thread, one netizen asked Gen Xers and Baby Boomers to share their wisdom by writing, “People who are 40+, what is a [dangerous] habit that people in their 20s think is completely harmless, but is secretly setting them up to get absolutely destroyed in a decade?” So, if you’re all about longevity, check out some real-world advice from folks who have gone through it all!
#1
Sitting there staring at your phone when people are trying to spend time with you.
How about you stop texting and go make memories with your kids?
How about you stop texting and go make memories with your kids?
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27points
#2
I'll take this as a personal question as a 54yo guy.
For gods sake, stay away from extreme sports. Skating, mountain biking, snow boarding. My bones ache, my ankles, my knees, my back. I got this twingy thingy in my elbow that will just explode in pain for no other reason to get me to drop things.
Music...turn that down. I'm a guitar player and at one time had 2 Marshall stacks. WHAT...WHAT...what did you say?
Alcohol...avoid that. For any other reason that it destroys you. I would give anything to be able to talk to some of my friends from back in the day. Can't, they either passed, in jail, or still messed up and will just ask for money.
Now I've got some great stories and had a lot fun in my life but I'm paying for it now. I wish I could exercise more but most days as a 54yo I feel 70. I just ache.
For gods sake, stay away from extreme sports. Skating, mountain biking, snow boarding. My bones ache, my ankles, my knees, my back. I got this twingy thingy in my elbow that will just explode in pain for no other reason to get me to drop things.
Music...turn that down. I'm a guitar player and at one time had 2 Marshall stacks. WHAT...WHAT...what did you say?
Alcohol...avoid that. For any other reason that it destroys you. I would give anything to be able to talk to some of my friends from back in the day. Can't, they either passed, in jail, or still messed up and will just ask for money.
Now I've got some great stories and had a lot fun in my life but I'm paying for it now. I wish I could exercise more but most days as a 54yo I feel 70. I just ache.
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24points
#3
Ignoring dental care.
People in their 20s can skip cleanings and think, "My teeth are fine." Decades later, gum disease, tooth loss, and expensive dental work can become a major issue.
People in their 20s can skip cleanings and think, "My teeth are fine." Decades later, gum disease, tooth loss, and expensive dental work can become a major issue.
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22points
#4
Focusing on being skinny instead of being strong (especially women)!
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22points
#6
Not reading. Seriously, get into a habit of reading early. You'll thank yourself later.
19points
#7
I see some great stuff here, all true.
I'll add - anyone who's in their 20's - being overweight is a problem for you to tackle NOW, not when you're 40.
This is the ONE thing I wish I could go back in life and redo - a healthier diet, more exercise, drinking a helluva lot more water, and generally trying to stay in good shape. You don't have to be a WWE superstar. Simple cardio, push ups, sit ups... All stuff you can do at home.
I'll add - anyone who's in their 20's - being overweight is a problem for you to tackle NOW, not when you're 40.
This is the ONE thing I wish I could go back in life and redo - a healthier diet, more exercise, drinking a helluva lot more water, and generally trying to stay in good shape. You don't have to be a WWE superstar. Simple cardio, push ups, sit ups... All stuff you can do at home.
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19points
#8
Not wearing earplugs at concerts. I was a music photographer in my 20s and now there's always a constant ringing in my ears and I have a hard time hearing people a lot of the time .
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18points
#10
Outsourcing their thinking and cognitive abilities to AI.
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17points
#11
Ignoring your mental health and then realizing you don't know how to have close relationships. I got my life figured out but some folks I knew didn't and they're still in the same cycles.
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15points
#14
Snoring and undiagnosed sleep apnea.
Ruins recovery/restful sleep. Starves the brain of oxygen. Snoring ruins marriages. Host of downstream issues, all serious.
Ruins recovery/restful sleep. Starves the brain of oxygen. Snoring ruins marriages. Host of downstream issues, all serious.
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14points
#15
Not having a good daily routine, including good sleep. Not getting enough exercise and sunlight. Giving up on things that are hard too soon.
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14points
#16
Allowing $ to leak out of your bank account for convenience purchases. No matter what your income, learn to budget carefully and stop comparing yourself to others. Something as simple as eliminating any gas station purchase other than actual fuel has a meaningful financial benefit over the course of a year.
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14points
#17
Don't count on any job lasting, no matter how much like a "family" they try to make it seem. If you're around long enough there will come a time when your salary gets a second look, and at some point you will get kicked to the curb.
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14points
#19
It's the "NOT" doing things.
NOT brushing your teeth
NOT walking daily
NOT maintaining flexibility through stretching
NOT getting enough protein
NOT getting enough sleep
NOT drinking enough water.
a lot of this stuff you can start doing in your 40s, but adopting those habits later will feel like "lifestyle changes"
and be much tougher to do.
stretching is so easy when you're already stretchy. once you're stiff and can't reach anything, it's harder.
NOT brushing your teeth
NOT walking daily
NOT maintaining flexibility through stretching
NOT getting enough protein
NOT getting enough sleep
NOT drinking enough water.
a lot of this stuff you can start doing in your 40s, but adopting those habits later will feel like "lifestyle changes"
and be much tougher to do.
stretching is so easy when you're already stretchy. once you're stiff and can't reach anything, it's harder.
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12points
#20
I’ve noticed that smoking cigarettes is cool again amongst young Gen Z. Cmon kids! That’s crazy.
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12points