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!
#21
Stress.
Seriously, don't work yourself to the bone chasing the rat race.
As soon as you can, prioritise relationships, family and mental wellbeing.
Seriously, don't work yourself to the bone chasing the rat race.
As soon as you can, prioritise relationships, family and mental wellbeing.
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12points
#23
Avoiding opportunities (“I’ll have time later.”).
You don’t have time later. Travel. Move. Chase the dream job. Live.
You don’t have time later. Travel. Move. Chase the dream job. Live.
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11points
#24
Lifting with your back instead of using your legs.
10points
#26
Not having good ventilation when doing diy or art projects. .
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10points
#28
I’m not 40 yet but the answer is sleeping too little and not eating enough fiber.
EDIT, since this is apparently reaching some people: I always suggest looking into what you can add flaxseed to for fiber intake (it’s also an egg substitute for some baked goods!). It has a lot of good properties. People have also been mentioned psyllium husk, oatmeal, and benefiber. (: I’ve also added edamame beans to my diet, and most places have frozen versions where they’re unshelled, so super accessible and a great snack in my opinion as someone who despises most beans and their texture.
EDIT, since this is apparently reaching some people: I always suggest looking into what you can add flaxseed to for fiber intake (it’s also an egg substitute for some baked goods!). It has a lot of good properties. People have also been mentioned psyllium husk, oatmeal, and benefiber. (: I’ve also added edamame beans to my diet, and most places have frozen versions where they’re unshelled, so super accessible and a great snack in my opinion as someone who despises most beans and their texture.
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8points
#29
I call it the “fall apart 40s”. Everything that you neglect in your 20s comes to bite you in your 40s, but the biggest hits that no one talks about is your mental health and your relationships.
Not learning how to make, keep and tolerate friends is damaging long term. People who keep their circles too small end up very lonely and isolated. People that don’t learn how to identify the difference between a party friend and a real friend end up with lots of people who never show up when it counts
People are more irritable in our 40s if they haven’t learnt how to let things go, and have compassion for people they don’t understand. Being intolerant is terrible for your relationships, but it also wrecks your resilience. Being intolerant becomes more stressful over time and acts like emotional plaque. It eats at you and pushes others away. Everyone is annoying and awful in some ways, but intolerant people can’t tell the difference between the mostly good and the mostly insufferable among us.
Even more damage though, is done by not understanding what makes a good romantic relationship, how much work it is, and what is realistic to expect. Divorce can ruin people emotionally and physically. Stress is a precipitous factor in a huge amount of physical illnesses and I have seen people get sick from the stress of divorce, custody battles bankruptcy etc.
Do not fall in love and get married quick. A bitter divorce starts with a whirlwind romance like 8 out of 10 times.
If you have good people with good values in your life who will actually be honest with you, make sure they like your partner.
If you were raised by selfish jerks, learn what good people are like, because you are at a super high risk of getting together with someone who treats you badly. Because someone who treats you badly in the long run will sweep you off your feet in those first few months.
Learn how to manage your thoughts and emotions and deal with the things you buried. The muscles that hold down your pain atrophy like every other muscle and by your 40s that stuff starts to surface. Go to therapy.
Not learning how to make, keep and tolerate friends is damaging long term. People who keep their circles too small end up very lonely and isolated. People that don’t learn how to identify the difference between a party friend and a real friend end up with lots of people who never show up when it counts
People are more irritable in our 40s if they haven’t learnt how to let things go, and have compassion for people they don’t understand. Being intolerant is terrible for your relationships, but it also wrecks your resilience. Being intolerant becomes more stressful over time and acts like emotional plaque. It eats at you and pushes others away. Everyone is annoying and awful in some ways, but intolerant people can’t tell the difference between the mostly good and the mostly insufferable among us.
Even more damage though, is done by not understanding what makes a good romantic relationship, how much work it is, and what is realistic to expect. Divorce can ruin people emotionally and physically. Stress is a precipitous factor in a huge amount of physical illnesses and I have seen people get sick from the stress of divorce, custody battles bankruptcy etc.
Do not fall in love and get married quick. A bitter divorce starts with a whirlwind romance like 8 out of 10 times.
If you have good people with good values in your life who will actually be honest with you, make sure they like your partner.
If you were raised by selfish jerks, learn what good people are like, because you are at a super high risk of getting together with someone who treats you badly. Because someone who treats you badly in the long run will sweep you off your feet in those first few months.
Learn how to manage your thoughts and emotions and deal with the things you buried. The muscles that hold down your pain atrophy like every other muscle and by your 40s that stuff starts to surface. Go to therapy.
8points
#30
Making friends with people who have toxic habits…alcoholics, gamblers
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8points
#31
Not treating headaches and thinking it’s nothing the then find the root cause in your 40s that it was undiagnosed high blood pressure and your kidneys are suffering since you were eating ibuprofen like it was candy. Then need to get on dialysis and eventually a kidney transplant. Yes this happened to me and got my wife’s kidney a few months ago and I’m only 46.
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8points
#32
Being shy and afraid of rejection. When you are old, you look back and kick yourself for not going for it.
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8points
#33
Ignoring protective equipment for your eyes, lungs, ears, skin, etc. and allowing yourself to be exposed to chemicals, vibrations, etc.
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8points
#37
Choosing the wrong life partner. If he/she is “fine” and “fun”, that’s not enough. You’ll spend the rest of your life with them. Talk about how do you plan to raise your kids, figure out how finances will work before, during and after kids, make sure you respect them for something (hobby, job, personal trait).
We spend more time picking out our next tv than figuring out who to spend the rest of our life with.
Edit: And if you care about looks, make sure you like the way they look now. It will likely not get any better. Might be superficial, but important for many. .
We spend more time picking out our next tv than figuring out who to spend the rest of our life with.
Edit: And if you care about looks, make sure you like the way they look now. It will likely not get any better. Might be superficial, but important for many. .
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7points
#38
Trying to maintain a weight that is too low for you. I lost my period for 12 years and have many health consequences.
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7points
