10 "Devils" That Destroy Your Health

1. Lack of friendship

Studies show that the less social we have, the more anxiety-causing chemicals we have in our brains, and the more likely we are to get sick. A study of 276 adults aged 18 to 55 showed that those who had six or more friends were four times more likely to fight off a cold than those with fewer friends. Solution: If you are too busy to call, just send your friend a text message in the evening.

2. Lack of sleep

Poor sleep has been linked to a weakened immune system and a reduction in killer cells that fight germs. Researchers at the University of Chicago found that people who slept only four hours a week had half the antibodies in their blood that fight influenza compared to those who slept 7.5 to 8.5 hours. Solution: Try to get 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night.

3. Pessimist

A University of California study found that law school students who had a positive attitude at the start of their first semester had more T cells, which boost immune system responses, and more natural killer cells at midterm than students with a negative attitude. This could be because optimists care more about themselves, or it could be because stress can wreak havoc on the immune system. Solution: It's hard to change your personality, but you can try to find reasons—no matter how small—to be grateful for what's happening in your life every day.

4. Suppressing Emotions

Constructive discussions boost the immune system. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles asked 41 happy couples to spend 15 minutes discussing their marriage positively. The researchers found increases in blood pressure, heart rate and white blood cell counts, all good signs similar to those after moderate exercise. Solution: Don’t keep the problems that are bothering you to yourself; it would be better to discuss them actively.

5. Chronic stress

Chronic stress, unlike occasional stress, can significantly reduce the immune system's ability to fight disease. Extreme stress can lead to a decrease in natural killer cells, reduced activity of killer T cells, and a decrease in the number of macrophages that enhance the immune system's response. Countermeasure: Do some stress-relieving activities and try to relax your mind.

6. Use of public items

Bringing your own pen can help you avoid exposure to viruses, as cold and flu viruses can be passed from hand to hand. Countermeasure: Avoid using pens from hospitals, banks, couriers and restaurant waiters.

7. Always driving

The researchers found that people who drove were twice as likely to get sick over a four-month period as those who walked. Solution: 30 minutes of aerobic exercise can make your immune system work better.

8. Secondhand smoke

Every year, about 3,000 non-smoking Americans die from lung cancer and 300,000 children suffer from respiratory infections due to secondhand smoke. Countermeasure: Stay away from smokers.

9. Frequent use of antibiotics

If you take antibiotics as soon as you have cold symptoms, you will gradually develop resistance to these medicines and develop a more serious infection. What to do: Don't use antibiotics as a preventive medicine unless they are prescribed by your doctor.

10. Lack of sense of humor

Researchers have found that the emotions associated with laughter can reduce stress hormones, increase certain immune cells and activate others. Countermeasure: Smile happily anytime and anywhere.