Self inflicted causes of disease:
Poor diet. Although we are now more affluent in the West than at any time in our history, the incidence of malnutrition is rising. Heavy reliance on convenience, pre-prepared, processed food packed with additives and preservatives is detrimental to your health. An alarming number of people fail to eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day and exist on diets of burgers, chips and frozen foods.
Insufficient Exercise: The human body is a machine that is intended to be used. It is designed to lift, bend and stretch in multi-directions and in order to keep it in good working order it needs to be exercised. Just like any machine whose moving parts are not kept mobile, so you will seize up and get weak if you do not exercise.
Smoking: Cigarette and pot smoking causes immense damage to the body. The lungs, heart and circulation are all damaged by using these substances. However, when you stop smoking, your body will begin a process of self -repair which will eventually undo even years of abuse.
Alcohol Abuse: Alcohol in moderation is fine. Problems arise when people use alcohol as a means of avoidance or because they need a drink to unwind.
Dependance on alcohol creeps up on you. Whereas one drink to help you unwind or settle your nerves may work at first, it will gradually increase until you cannot manage without a drink.
The recommended maximum weekly intake of alcohol for women is 14 units and for men it is 21 units. A unit is equivalent to half a pint of beer or lager, a pub measure of spirits, or pub measure of wine.
If you are drinking more than this, you should ask yourself why. Long term over use of alcohol can lead to liver problems, relationship problems, and addiction.
Your state of mind: You might wonder how your state of mind can affect your health. However, people with a positive, happy outlook on life have been shown to live longer and be healthier. A positive mental attitude will allow you to rise to the challenges of life and enjoy them. A negative mental attitude will see you worrying about things and creating stress in your system which will affect your whole body.