6 unexpected habits that shorten your life

Living longer doesn’t just depend on genetics. Daily habits that seem harmless can silently destroy your health and shorten your lifespan.

Here are common habits that may be working against your health, along with simple ways to replace them to support a stronger, longer life.

Negative self-criticism

Negative self-talk can have a devastating impact on your mood, often reinforcing unhealthy core beliefs or underlying thought patterns that shape how you feel and behave every day.

Dr. Ashwini Nadkarni, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, said that over time, negative self-criticism, with its impact on anxious or depressed mood, can increase the risk of unhealthy coping behaviors, such as excessive use of alcohol or marijuana, lack of exercise or nutritious diet, and anxiety and depressive disorders.

Instead of getting bogged down in a cycle of harsh self-criticism, she suggests a different approach. “You can acknowledge what’s not working and practice self-compassion, which can provide greater motivation to engage in problem-solving,” she says.

Surf social networks to improve your mood

The act of doom-scrolling – continuing to search for negative news on social media – can drag down your mood, increase stress and reduce overall satisfaction with life in the long run.

Dr. Ashwini warns that in addition to anxiety and depression, doom-scrolling can worsen existing mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or cause sleep and cognitive problems.

Instead of automatically picking up your phone to scroll, she recommends trying something different. “Take a walk outside. Or instead of turning to social media or your browser, consider hitting ‘play’ on a relaxing playlist,” she says.

Constant worry

Whether it’s work, study or relationships, persistent and uncontrolled worry can negatively affect both your mental and physical health.

“For example, headaches, sleep disorders and digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome have all been linked to excessive worrying,” says Dr. Ashwini.

Instead of getting stuck in a thought loop that drags you down, try shifting toward thoughts that motivate action and ask yourself what part of your anxiety you can actually control.

“Then take actions that reflect that control. Another idea is to engage in physical activity. Refocusing attention on exercise is a simple way to reduce stress,” says Dr. Ashwini.

Not socializing enough

Not spending enough time with others can lead to loneliness, a feeling of disconnection related to dissatisfaction with the quality of your relationships. Dr. Ashwini said that in addition to its association with depression and dementia, loneliness is also linked to serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even premature death.

She advises that individuals who find social interaction difficult may benefit from participating in more social situations, even if these situations do not directly require conversation. “For example, join a new class with lots of other people or join a community volunteer effort,” she says.

Skip flossing

Skipping floss not only puts you at risk for tooth decay, but it also increases your chances of developing gum disease, a chronic infection that the immune system must constantly fight.

Low-grade inflammation, along with bacteria in the mouth, has been linked to serious systemic conditions, including heart disease and diabetes, says Dr. Jeremy Manuele, an orthodontist and orthodontist.

Gum disease is linked to a higher risk of heart attack, difficulty controlling blood sugar and even pneumonia, as harmful bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation throughout the body. Dr. Manuele emphasizes: “Floss daily. It is the most effective way to remove bacteria and plaque between teeth – areas that a toothbrush cannot reach.”

Breathe through your mouth

Mouth breathing is often the culprit behind nasal congestion and sinusitis. When you breathe through your mouth, Dr. Manuele explains, air bypasses the nose and does all the important things it does: humidifies the air, warms it, and adds nitric oxide — a natural substance that helps reduce inflammation and increase blood flow.

Chronic mouth breathing can disrupt sleep, which has been linked to major health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease and acid reflux, all of which are linked to obstructive sleep apnea. As a remedy, Dr. Manuele suggests using a nasal strip if breathing through your nose is difficult.