Many countries and organizations promote quitting smoking, but not everyone knows that there are daily habits that are just as dangerous as smoking, and at times even more so. Scientists have identified daily habits that harm human health similarly to smoking, and in some cases, even more severely, as reported by the British newspaper "The Guardian." Among these habits:
**1. Loneliness:**
Research conducted by psychology professor Julian Holt-Lunstad at Brigham Young University found that the feeling of loneliness can reduce lifespan equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Additionally, social media exacerbates this problem. Although its stated goal is to help people connect more, its widespread nature has decreased personal contact and increased rates of loneliness, which has been described as a global epidemic.
**2. Sitting for Long Hours:**
A study conducted in 2014 found that sitting all day increases the risk of various types of cancer. Researchers included data from four million people in their analysis, including how often they sat to watch television, work, and commute. According to the study, every additional two hours of sitting time increases individuals' risk of developing colon, endometrial, and lung cancer, regardless of whether the person exercises during the day.
**3. Sleep Deprivation:**
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have described sleep deprivation as a public health problem, with about 50 to 70 million people in the United States suffering from sleep disorders. Professor Valery Gafarov from the World Health Organization pointed out in 2015 that insufficient sleep increases the risk of strokes and heart attacks at rates comparable to regular cigarette use.
**4. Cosmetic Practices Aimed at Changing Skin Color:**
In 2014, researchers published a study indicating that cosmetic practices aimed at changing skin color led to more skin cancer cases compared to lung cancer associated with smoking.
**5. Poor Nutrition:**
In 2016, researchers concluded that mortality rates related to malnutrition had surpassed those linked to alcohol, drugs, and tobacco combined. It was also found that sugary processed foods high in saturated fats could expose people to potentially fatal diseases at rates comparable to, if not greater than, smoking.
