Dangerous Work Habits That Could Cause You to Die Early

There are some bad work habits that might get under your co-workers’ skin. If you or your co-workers have some quirks or bad habits that are annoying, you’ve got company. Roughly 77% of respondents in a CareerBuilder survey said they have witnessed some type of childish behavior in the office.

However, when it comes to the types of habits we’re talking about, it’s far from child’s play. Some bad work behaviors are annoying, but there are other habits that are much more serious. That’s because they could cost you your life. Working yourself hard might get you that raise and promotion you’ve been longing for. But working too hard for too long could put you in the grave. Here are some dangerous work habits that could cause you to die early.

1. Holding in anger

Your boss is likely to get you very angry at some point. However, it’s important to learn how to deal with this anger in a healthy way. Too many workers don’t know what to do with their feelings of frustration, so they either hold these feelings in or explode at a family member when they get home. Holding on to work anger usually builds up until you can’t hold it in anymore, or it can slowly make you sick.

How anger can be deadly

Unaddressed anger can cause cardiovascular disease. | iStock.com/MachineHeadz

Studies have found unchecked anger could cause you to have a heart attack and increase your risk for cardiovascular disease. So what should you do if you’re overcome with anger while you’re at work, and you can’t seem to calm down? If you can, step away from your desk, and take a walk. You’ll not only get some exercise but also let off some steam. Taking time to cool down could also reduce your chances of saying something to your boss you’ll regret later.

2. Raiding the vending machine

That doughnut could come back to haunt you. | iStock.com/YakobchukOlena

There are so many yummy treats at work that you can barely resist. Every time you pass by the vending machine, you can smell the cookies, cakes, and chips. What was once an occasional treat became a morning and mid-afternoon habit you couldn’t break. Now, you have an extra 15 pounds to lose, and you have no idea how they got there. Or maybe your weakness is the box of doughnuts that are usually left in the conference room after meetings. Or perhaps there’s always a co-worker who brings treats from home or has a jar of candy on her desk.

Why loading up on snacks is bad for your health

Cut back on sugary snacks. | iStock.com

A poor diet will eventually catch up to you. If you continue to sustain yourself on unhealthy work snacks instead of consuming a balanced diet each day, you’re asking for trouble. Heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and obesity are just some of the diseases you can get from not eating well. Instead of engaging in mindless eating, plan your work snacks ahead of time. Also, learn to say no when those sugary treats are passed around the office.

3. Not getting enough sleep

Your body needs sleep to heal. | iStock.com/monkeybusinessimages

The world of work never seems to stop. There are early morning meetings, fires to put out, and endless projects to work on. By the time you get home, all you want to do is collapse on your bed and forget about the day. The problem is you can’t because you have a report due in the morning, and you’re not finished. So you stay up late, hoping to have everything completed before the sun comes up. Due to your workload, this habit has become all too familiar. “I’ll rest when I die,” you might say. Unfortunately, that day is coming a lot sooner than you think if you don’t start getting some quality rest.

Why lack of sleep is bad for your health

Try to get at least six to eight hours of sleep. | iStock.com/tommaso79

A National Sleep Foundation study found respondents who said they didn’t sleep well also reported having health issues. It’s not clear whether the health issues contributed to the sleep problems or whether lack of sleep contributed to poor health, but a link between sleep quality and health was noted. Roughly 67% of those with less-than-good sleep quality also said they had “poor” or “only fair” health.

Sleep is essential for your body to repair itself. Your body heals during the time you rest. One long-term result of chronic sleep deprivation is high blood pressure. It’s possible consistently sleeping for fewer than six hours each night could raise your blood pressure, said Dr. Sheldon G. Sheps in his Mayo Clinic column. You could also put yourself as risk for diabetes and early mortality, WebMD researchers said.

4. Bringing work home

When you bring work home, stress comes with you. | iStock.com

Every now and then, you bring small tasks home, so you can get a jump-start on the next day. At first, things work out well, and your boss asks you to take on bigger projects because you do a good job and work so quickly. This raises your profile at work, and now all the managers know who you are. Unfortunately, you have to bring home even more work, so you can keep up. The pressure is on. Now, you’re so tired and stressed out you can’t even enjoy your personal life. You’re too busy worrying about work.

 Why bringing work home is bad for you

Burnout lowers productivity. | iStock.com

A study published in the American Sociological Review found nearly half of U.S. workers bring their work home. If you’re one of these workers, it’s important for you to pause and take a break from work. Whether you’re trying to get ahead or you’re drowning in assignments, it’s not worth trading your health for career advancement. Your mind and body need to slow down, so you can recover from the stress of the work week.

An American Psychological Association study found the two most common stressors among survey participants are work and money. If work stress is following you home, this could affect your health by causing serious health issues, such as heart disease.

 5. Sitting too long

Overwork is bad for your health. | iStock.com/AntonioGuillem

Your days are so busy you probably joke with your co-workers about being chained to your desk and not even having enough time to go to the restroom. Sadly, for many workers, that’s partly true. Many Americans sit at their desks far too long, risking the health of their minds and bodies. Workers eat at their desk, stay cooped up in their cubicles to join in on marathon conference calls, and even finish getting ready for work at their desk.

How sitting too much can kill you

Sitting is terrible for your health. | iStock.com/gpointstudio

Not getting up from your desk to take breaks throughout the day can put you at risk for deadly blood clots. When a clot forms in one of the major veins deep inside your body, this is called deep vein thrombosis. If the clot breaks off and travels through your blood stream to your lungs, this can cause a deadly condition known as pulmonary embolism. You can get serious blood clots just after surgery or from remaining immobile for a long time. Prolonged sitting can also raise your risk for Type 2 diabetes.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Suffering a Stroke

We all know our brain is one of the most important organs in our body (it does control bodily functions and memory, after all), yet we rarely ever talk about how serious strokes can be. Maybe it’s because most of us don’t truly understand what these events actually are. Time for a primer.

According to the National Stroke Association, a stroke occurs when blood flow to one area of the brain gets cut off. This stops the flow of oxygen, leading to cell death. Depending on what part of the brain is affected, a person may lose control of certain muscles and may have difficulty remembering things. Because it’s the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., you should do everything you can to reduce your risk. Make sure to follow these tips to lower your chances of having a stroke.

1. Increase your fruit and vegetable intake

A diet rich in produce is good for just about everything, including minimizing your stroke risk. | iStock.com

According to an analysis, eating more fruits and vegetables has been linked to reducing the risk of stroke. The analysis included 20 different studies, which compiled data from over 700,000 people and close to 17,000 strokes. The article mentions that for every 200 grams of fruit eaten a day, the risk of stroke decreased by 32%. For every 200 grams of vegetables, it decreased by 11%. Findings were consistent for both men and women of various ages. In other words, eat up.

2. Avoid high-cholesterol foods

Consider cutting back on red meat. | iStock.com

The National Stroke Association mentions having high cholesterol may contribute to stroke. When there’s a lot of fatty substances in the blood, it can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries. We often associate this with heart attack, but it may also lead to a stroke. To lower harmful fat substances in the blood, the American Heart Association says to avoid foods like full-fat dairy products, red meats, and foods high in saturated fat, which contribute to high cholesterol levels in the body. Genetics also play a large role, so be sure to discuss family history of high cholesterol with your doctor.

3. Get moving

Even jumping jacks ill do the trick. | iStock.com/Nektarstock

Most of us think about working out as a way to keep our weight in check, but that’s just one part of the picture. Mayo Clinic says regularly working up a sweat can provide health benefits by making the heart stronger. And it may take up to three months for exercise to be effective, so it’s important to make it a regular habit. Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, plus some strength training.

Where should you start? It really depends on your preferences. If you despise running, for example, don’t try to train for a marathon. Instead, focus on something you actually enjoy. Maybe it’s tennis or maybe it’s hitting the pool. Choosing something that you actually like to do means you’re a lot more likely to make it a habit.

4. Lower your blood pressure

Make sure you’re keeping track of your numbers. | iStock.com

By lowering high blood pressure, you can reduce risk of stroke and other life-threatening issues like kidney failure and heart attack. According to the National Stroke Association, high blood pressure causes your heart to work harder to pump blood throughout your body. When this happens, major organs like the brain become damaged because of weakened blood vessels. If high blood pressure is not regulated, risk of stroke may increase by four to six times. A few ways to lower blood pressure include following a diet low in fat and sodium and limiting alcohol intake.

You should always start with diet and exercise, which we’ve covered, but it may not be enough for some people. If efforts to eat right and regularly work up a sweat aren’t helping your numbers enough, it’s time to talk about other options with your physician. He or she may prescribe medication to help. For a bit of background on what your discussion might entail, check out the different classes of options and some examples of each over at Healthline.

5. Say no to cigarettes

Still smoke? It’s time to quit. | iStock.com

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says smoking can double chances of ischemic stroke and increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke by up to four times. This may be because smoking causes plaque buildup in the artery that delivers blood from the heart to the brain. If that flow gets cut off, you’re in major trouble. Even if you only occasionally smoke, it’s best to give up the habit entirely. And bonus, you’ll save some money.

6. Back off on booze

Wine might be delicious, but be mindful of your intake. | iStock.com/TSchon

Though there’s been a considerable amount of debate on how alcohol impacts your health over the years, there’s no denying going overboard is a bad idea. One 2016 meta-analysis, which included 27 studies, found heavy drinking was associated with a greater risk of both hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes. This doesn’t mean you can’t ever have a glass of wine again, but you want to make sure you’re being reasonable.

The Scary Truth Behind These Natural Remedies and Their Terrifying Side Effects

Natural remedies have become a replacement for prescription medications for many people. However, not all of these alternative medicines are proven to work. Sometimes, the risks outweigh the benefits. Problems like kidney failure, liver damage, and even death have been reported from the use of medicinal herbs and other home remedies. Here’s a look at how some of them can impact your health.

St. John’s wort

Be aware of this seemingly harmless herb. | Almaje/iStock/Getty Images

This herb is often used to treat mild depression. It’s imperative to still consult with a doctor, because St. John’s Wort makes many other medications less effective. According to WebMD, cases of unplanned pregnancy have been reported in women taking the drug along with their birth control. There have also been reported cases of organ rejection when taking anti-rejection drugs along with St. John’s Wort after an organ transplant.

Whole-leaf aloe vera juice

This gel is extremely dangerous. | Nenov/Getty Images

It’s important to note that whole-leaf juice differs from juice made just from the gel. The biggest side effect of drinking whole-leaf aloe vera juice is its laxative properties. Overuse of this juice can lead to serious abdominal pain, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances such as low potassium. Low potassium levels can lead to muscle weakness and an irregular heartbeat. Plus, over-consuming this juice can lead to a laxative dependency and increased constipation upon stopping consumption.

Kava

It’s best to stay away from the Kava plant. | Chameleonseye/iStock/Getty Images

Kava is a plant from the South Pacific that is most commonly used as an anxiety remedy. The FDA has reported many counts of serious liver damage, including cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver failure in 25 reports from other countries from use of the drug. Four of the 25 cases required liver transplants. Symptoms of a liver disease include nausea, vomiting, tiredness, stomach pain, and loss of appetite.

Comfrey

Use only this plant in small amounts. | Emer1940/iStock/Getty Images

The comfrey plant is native to Europe. It is typically applied to the skin to treat wounds and reduce inflammation because it contains allantoin, which helps grow skin cells.  However, it has been linked to serious liver damage, and even death, because it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The oral form of comfrey has been banned in the United States and various other countries; it is sold in creams and ointments in the United States, but the skin can still absorb these alkaloids, so it must be used in small quantities.

Egg white masks

This homemade mask might not be the best option for glowing skin. | Svehlik/iStock/Getty Images

Some dermatologists say that eggs have exfoliating properties, and since they’re rich in protein and vitamins, they believe they’re good for your skin — that opinion is not conclusive. Eggs run the risk of salmonella, which is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, fever, chills, and stomach pain and can be dangerous for those with weakened immune systems. Since there’s no way to tell whether or not the egg you’re using contains salmonella, it’s best to choose another ingredient in your DIY face mask.

Chaparral

This plant does not work any wonders and has awful side effects. | GaryKavanagh/Getty Images

There is no proof chaparral works for any of its intended uses. Some believe it reduces pain and inflammation along with skin irritation. Others even think it can help combat cancer, but the American Cancer Society says there is no proof of this. This plant is on the FDA’s poisonous plant list because it can cause irreversible liver damage. It can also interfere with certain over-the-counter drugs.

Applying toothpaste to acne

Don’t believe this old myth. | iStock.com

While the injuries associated with applying toothpaste to the face are not life threatening, they can be uncomfortable. Toothpaste contains ingredients that irritate the skin, like hydrogen peroxide and alcohol. This results in burns on the face, redness, and discomfort. There is no proof that toothpaste works any better than over-the-counter treatments, so it’s best to skip this home remedy.

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal can be dangerous to women. | Iscizb/iStock/Getty Images

This flowering plant can be used to cause abortions. This requires a heavy dose of the plant, which can cause serious and sometimes irreversible damage to the kidneys and liver, and even death. The National Health Institute does not deem pennyroyal safe at any dosage, and the plant has been on the FDA’s poisonous plants list for more than 20 years.

Applying butter to a burn

Don’t do this when you get a burn. | iStock/Getty Images

Some think applying butter to a burn will reduce the pain and irritation that comes along with a skin burn. However, butter is greasy, and applying grease to a burn can actually increase the damage done to skin. The grease traps the heat, preventing it from escaping quickly. It is important to put cool water on a burn to help release the heat. Do not use ice; it can irritate the skin more.

Chinese Herbal Medicines

Never take Chinese herbal medicines without doctor supervision. | Marilyna/iStock/Getty Images

Asian herbal remedies have become more popular now that people look for alternatives to prescription drugs. However, when the California Department of Health tested herbal remedies coming from China, they found that 1/3 of them were laced with harmful toxins or prescription drugs, according to Livestrong.com. Some herbs contained arsenic and lead. These can cause serious reactions like kidney failure and death.

At-home enemas

Never go through this procedure without a doctor. | iStock.com

Enemas are used to rid the colon of toxins and relieve constipation, but they can carry serious risks, even when performed by a doctor. Never do an enema at home. If done incorrectly, it can lead to bowel ruptures, bacterial infections and even death. Perforation of the colon is also possible. The risks of enemas outweigh the benefits, so either skip this treatment or have it done by a careful professional.

American ginseng

You can get this at the market, but you shouldn’t use it for self-medicating. | Chengyuzheng

American ginseng is thought to help boost the immune system, reduce the risk of cancer, and improve mental health and well being. Some also believe it can lower blood sugar to help with diabetes. This type of ginseng does come with some pretty serious side effects, so it’s important to consult with a doctor before use. Side effects include high blood pressure, anxiety, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Neem

Using the Neem plant incorrectly can be very dangerous. | iStock.com

This tree is used for its bark, leaves, and seeds, which all have various medicinal properties like helping with stomach ulcers, fever, asthmsa, and more. However, when used in high doses or for extended periods of time, neem becomes dangerous.

The “extended period of time” depends on the way neem is used (ingested, applied to the skin, etc.). If applied to the skin, neem should only be used for up to two weeks, or it can cause kidney and liver problems. Neem can also reduce fertility. Small children should never use neem; it can cause seizures, blood disorders, and vomiting in small children within hours.

Valerian root

Some people may experience bad side effects from Valerian root. | iStock.com

Valerian root became popular thousands of years ago for its anti-anxiety properties. Although the drug is generally safe, according to Livestrong.com, it can cause nausea, headaches, and dizziness, making it difficult to perform day-to-day tasks like driving. Research on the long-term effects of valerian root is inconclusive, but it is not recommended for use for more than four to six weeks.

Grapefruit juice

It tastes great, but grapefruits can mess with your other medications. |  iStock.com

Many people drink grapefruit juice to improve their skin, aid in weight loss, and even lower cholesterol. The downside: this magical fruit does come with some scary side effects. Grapefruit juice can dangerously increase the potency of certain medications because it contains a compound that can interfere with liver enzymes. Reader’s Digest reported that taking one pill with one glass of grapefruit juice could be the equivalent of taking five pills with water. Grapefruit juice can also potentially cause kidney stones in those who are more prone to them.