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!
#41
Not saving enough money. Don't save "what's left"...there's never enough left if you don't pay your future self first.
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6points
#43
Never learning how to sit with
discomfort.
Every time something feels hard,
boring, or uncertain you scroll,
snack, or switch tasks.
Feels harmless at 22.
By 35 you can't focus for 20 minutes,
can't finish what you start, and have
no idea why your life feels scattered.
Attention is a muscle.
Most people let it atrophy completely
without ever noticing.
discomfort.
Every time something feels hard,
boring, or uncertain you scroll,
snack, or switch tasks.
Feels harmless at 22.
By 35 you can't focus for 20 minutes,
can't finish what you start, and have
no idea why your life feels scattered.
Attention is a muscle.
Most people let it atrophy completely
without ever noticing.
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6points
#44
If I could go back and give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to stop treating junk food like pizza, fast food, and other ultra-processed foods as everyday meals. The damage doesn’t happen overnight, that’s what makes it so insidious. It builds slowly over decades, affecting your weight, heart, blood vessels, joints, metabolism, and overall health long before you realize what’s happening. When you’re young, you feel invincible. Later, you discover that your body has been keeping score all along. I’d make that change in a heartbeat.
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6points
#45
Weak core muscles and no stretching.
Many complain of back issues when they're older, me included. I was plenty active. Snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking and just generally being outdoors. I went to the gym and had some physical jobs in the AF.
You know what I never really concentrated on? Core strength. I'm not talking some sit-ups either. I did those. I did the twisty gym machine as well.
I'm talking actual deep core exercises. My core is a constant struggle now because I'm unable to be as active due to other issues. When I'm unable for longer stretches, my core gets weak quickly. Which causes really bad low back pain. It takes a few months of PT visits to get back on track.
I have slipped L4/5 twice. It required surgery the first time, after a month of waiting to get in for my follow up after an MRI. The 2nd time it was fixed with an hour on "the rack" every day for an entire week. Then a week of pure resting. I hated it.
Do some yoga. Do core strengthening exercises. Stretch. Back issues will knock you on your door quickly. It's all downhill from there.
Many complain of back issues when they're older, me included. I was plenty active. Snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking and just generally being outdoors. I went to the gym and had some physical jobs in the AF.
You know what I never really concentrated on? Core strength. I'm not talking some sit-ups either. I did those. I did the twisty gym machine as well.
I'm talking actual deep core exercises. My core is a constant struggle now because I'm unable to be as active due to other issues. When I'm unable for longer stretches, my core gets weak quickly. Which causes really bad low back pain. It takes a few months of PT visits to get back on track.
I have slipped L4/5 twice. It required surgery the first time, after a month of waiting to get in for my follow up after an MRI. The 2nd time it was fixed with an hour on "the rack" every day for an entire week. Then a week of pure resting. I hated it.
Do some yoga. Do core strengthening exercises. Stretch. Back issues will knock you on your door quickly. It's all downhill from there.
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5points
#46
Blood pressure.
High blood pressure when left unchecked will take your kidneys and your heart from you.
Currently looking for a kidney after completing cardiac rehab. Don’t mess around with it. If diet and exercise aren’t enough, go to the doctor. I’m 41.
High blood pressure when left unchecked will take your kidneys and your heart from you.
Currently looking for a kidney after completing cardiac rehab. Don’t mess around with it. If diet and exercise aren’t enough, go to the doctor. I’m 41.
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5points
#47
Vaping i don’t think people assume it’s completely harmless but i don’t think they realize the severity of the dependence myself being included id do anything to go back in time and slap the silly out of myself for even trying it
edit to add: im worried even if i quit my body will never fully recover since i started SO young its actually depressing.
edit to add: im worried even if i quit my body will never fully recover since i started SO young its actually depressing.
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4points
#50
A couple beers in the evening is gonna MESS. YOU. UP.
They cause inflammation, bloating, and greatly reduce quality of sleep.
I wish I'd have known / listened sooner, because just cutting alcohol on work nights has made my life WAY easier.
They cause inflammation, bloating, and greatly reduce quality of sleep.
I wish I'd have known / listened sooner, because just cutting alcohol on work nights has made my life WAY easier.
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3points
#52
Staying and living in America. Get out while you’re young and can bring value to another country. Unless you are privileged enough to have family money, college paid for, etc… GET. OUT. America is not a safe place to be amongst the working class.
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3points
#55
You can still get a really nice tan using sunscreen...it literally just blocks the bad UV that damages your skin.
Regardless, anytime you're going to be out in the sun, put some on your face.
80s kids were raised by moms who thought sunburns were a normal occurrence. They're not.
Regardless, anytime you're going to be out in the sun, put some on your face.
80s kids were raised by moms who thought sunburns were a normal occurrence. They're not.
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2points
#56
Accepting a relationship without physical intimacy because you love the person.
If you have any kind of libido, don't deny yourself, it's important and will drive you insane.
If you have any kind of libido, don't deny yourself, it's important and will drive you insane.
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1point
#57
Have a target, have a plan.
The single most important thing. It is not important how near sighted or shallow your target is. May it be to have a lamborghini before 30, may it be to be juggling 4 balls or becoming the fastest person alive anything that you have gusto, enthusiasm for , unimportant how small or insignificant, it is hundred times better than not having a target.
It does not have to be an epic or exotic or powerful thing. It does not have to be a lifelong strategic, ambitious thing It just needs to be practical... If you dont like it after sometime or if you find a better one fine you can switch, but dont you ever stay without a target, any target.
And the second one is to have a plan. Again any plan would do, just have one and start. Everything else will fall into place.
You may be thinking (regardless of age) "I'm not sure what to choose, I want to know the world better before deciding on a target. Till then I want to wander" This is perfectly fine, wandering freestyle is one of the best things to do. But do it with a target, any target.
The single most important thing. It is not important how near sighted or shallow your target is. May it be to have a lamborghini before 30, may it be to be juggling 4 balls or becoming the fastest person alive anything that you have gusto, enthusiasm for , unimportant how small or insignificant, it is hundred times better than not having a target.
It does not have to be an epic or exotic or powerful thing. It does not have to be a lifelong strategic, ambitious thing It just needs to be practical... If you dont like it after sometime or if you find a better one fine you can switch, but dont you ever stay without a target, any target.
And the second one is to have a plan. Again any plan would do, just have one and start. Everything else will fall into place.
You may be thinking (regardless of age) "I'm not sure what to choose, I want to know the world better before deciding on a target. Till then I want to wander" This is perfectly fine, wandering freestyle is one of the best things to do. But do it with a target, any target.
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0points
