People who were chain smokers back in the day probably didn't think too much about the harmful effects that would eventually take a toll on their bodies.
It didn't help that smoking was associated with glamour as Hollywood elites were typically seen lighting up and lounging on a chaise with a dirty martini in one hand and a cigarette in the other.
Nowadays, smoking is prohibited in many public places and is often scoffed at by a generation who knows better than to engage in a toxic pastime.
Wanting to know about more trends that are underestimated now for their health concerns, Redditor Spiritual-Ad-8523 asked:
"What’s something most people think is healthy today that future people will shake their heads at?"
We currently live with a go, go, go mentality.
But it might be a matter of time we see evidence that we've been going nowhere fast.
Hustle And Bustle
"The hustle culture. Not everything you do needs to make money. You should be able to have hobbies that stay just that: hobbies."
– Marley9391
At One With Mother Nature
"Lack of access/time in nature."
– Telefone_529
Social media. It's a love/hate relationship.
Online Engagement
"Social media. I'm being super hypocritical, but we're gonna look back on social media today the same way our parents looked back on the time they smoked and said 'yeah, everybody smoked back then, it really wasn't a big deal. Yeah, we knew it wasn't good for you, but we still did it anyway. No, we didn't think of it as some sort of addiction; we just did it because that's what people did back then.'"
– ei283
Psychotic Breakdown
"I already believe that the majority of fitness influencers would benefit from counselling rather than advising followers on Instagram, so that's undoubtedly the case."
– DeboraCMartinez
"Healthy" Tip For Ya
"The majority of fitness influencers have eating disordered habits and are sharing them with their 'fans' by acting like what they do is 'healthy.' my AN recovered a** cries when i see fitness accounts glorifying actually unhealthy habits that they claim are healthy."
"people do NOT realize the damage of fitness/health social media. those people aren't professionals. and bodies aren't one size fits all."
– hautbois42069
Ping
"Constant notifications and other distractions."
"Edit: and yes I appreciate the irony of people responding to this has resulted in a deluge of notifications for me..."
– ExaBrain
Oversharing
"The amount of our lives we share with strangers online thinking we’re anonymous."
– rachsmith
Don't believe everything the food industry tells you. Most of them are delicious lies–or so, Redditors say.
It's A Rip-Off
"Slimming drinks and supplements."
– palpitatingspnach54
"Absolute Garbage"
"From a doctor’s perspective, half of the US health food industry is absolute garbage."
- "Supplements. What’s in them? They aren’t regulated, so anything could be! Many studies have found a lack of actual advertised product at best, harmless filler such as saw dust commonly, and heavy metal and other toxin contamination such as lead and arsenic at worst. All for the cheap price of $$$ and your health. Is it possible that some could be helpful for specific things? Yup! But are most things on the shelf going to fit in that category? Absolutely not, no."
- "Most 'diet' plans/snacks/products. Low in fat but high in sugar? Serving size of 1/4 of what is sold? Contains some mysterious fruit 'scientifically shown' to combat the laws of physics? A laxative in disguise? Most of these plans are just like get rich quick schemes. They are sold to provide a quick path to a healthier and better life. But diet isn’t a quick fix. It’s a slow combination of everyday habits. Diet culture is a toxic scam and their advertisements are sickening both for the lies commonly told and the mental health toll on the targeted audience. Hell, most of the 'good choice' food items at the grocery could be considered unhealthy processed garbage."
3. "Fruit juice. Despite what Steve Jobs believed, fruit juices are pure sugar in a glass. Calories with limited nutrient content and a high glycemic load."
4. "The way we teach physical activity. We use sports as a competition and filter kids out, only supporting the best of the best financially and through school programs. But the reality is that team and club sports can keep people active and engaged in their communities for life. This is healthy. If we can foster low-level skill sports for everyone we will have healthier and happier communities. Except for maybe American football. That sh*t will give you brain injuries."
"Edit: that preworkout your friend swears by? It’s probably caffeine and some protein powder. Some of them may contain amphetamine analogues and other stimulants. The special formulations and vitamins they say they have (if actually present) are usually ineffective amounts or mischaracterizations of studies anyway. Drink an Americano and eat a diet full of vegetables, nuts, and beans, and you’ll be good to go."
I always thought microwaves were shady.
The fact that it can "cook" meals and re-heat food our food is magical and convenient as heck. But because it's not a "natural" cooking process, what kind of effects will the radioactively zapped food have in our bodies?
I ponder this as I wait for my food by standing in front of the microwave and marvel at its powers while the emanating glow gives me a slow-burn facial.
Ding!