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It could be argued that smoking, alcoholism, and obesity are all means of coping with a high stress lifestyle. I wonder how many more people would die from oth

It could be argued that smoking, alcoholism, and obesity are all means of coping with a high stress lifestyle. I wonder how many more people would die from other reasons if they were no longer able to use those coping mechanisms. Or maybe more importantly, how much total happiness would they have in their life if they had the extra time. I say this as a fairly recent cancer survivor if that matters. edit: Does anyone know if psychologists or sociologists have a formula for quantifying happiness? Something like mechanical advantage. It seems intuitive that certain behaviors can act like a fulcrum by increasing happiness now at the expense of sadness later, either born by you or those close to you. I'm sure we've all had smokers joke that you can keep the last 20 years of life, maybe they're on to something.

oaktrout 4y ago
I think if people didn't have smoking / drinking / overeating as coping mechanisms they might find healthy alternatives like exercise / altruism / creativity. Look at seventh day Adventists in Loma Linda (not a member myself), they live a long time and are very happy. For many, the last 20 years are only miserable because they didn't take care of themselves. It's possible to be 80 and active / healthy/ happy.
- deleted 4y ago
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- siftrics 4y ago
  As a cancer survivor and former alcoholic, I am one example of a person who has found healthy coping mechanisms. Instead of coping with alcohol, I read math textbooks and do problems. This has improved my life dramatically. I feel good. I feel proud. And despite optimizing for happiness as opposed to wealth, this coping strategy has made me loads of money. I should mention my cancer occurred in my childhood, so it's not as though my drinking was a cause.
- StanislavPetrov 4y ago
  >For many, the last 20 years are only miserable because they didn't take care of themselves. Considering that about 40 million adult Americans are on anti-depressants (smoking and drinking aside), it seems like more of an issue then just failing physical health of the elderly.
  - oaktrout 4y ago
    Fair, I thought I was replying to the idea that old age must be miserable, but on re-reading I see that the poster I was replying to may have meant something else. Still, smokers not wanting the last 20 do themselves a disservice by disabling themselves and their hopes of redemption. They often do not die sudden deaths that bring them respite, instead many spend years struggling for breath hooked to oxygen tanks. I think these initially rebellious smokers see themselves as going out in a blaze of glory, but COPD is anything but.
BeetleB 4y ago
> It could be argued that smoking, alcoholism, and obesity are all means of coping with a high stress lifestyle. Hate to be that guy, but two of the 3 above are easily handled by simply not starting at all. People who don't start do not get the urge to go to these when under stress. Addressing stress is a lot more difficult than simply not starting. In the US, the rate of tobacco use continues to drop, and it is an outcome of a fairly significant campaign. Put all those resources into reducing stress and you simply won't move the needle.

oaktrout 4y ago

I think if people didn't have smoking / drinking / overeating as coping mechanisms they might find healthy alternatives like exercise / altruism / creativity. Look at seventh day Adventists in Loma Linda (not a member myself), they live a long time and are very happy. For many, the last 20 years are only miserable because they didn't take care of themselves. It's possible to be 80 and active / healthy/ happy.

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
siftrics 4y ago
As a cancer survivor and former alcoholic, I am one example of a person who has found healthy coping mechanisms. Instead of coping with alcohol, I read math textbooks and do problems. This has improved my life dramatically. I feel good. I feel proud. And despite optimizing for happiness as opposed to wealth, this coping strategy has made me loads of money. I should mention my cancer occurred in my childhood, so it's not as though my drinking was a cause.
StanislavPetrov 4y ago
>For many, the last 20 years are only miserable because they didn't take care of themselves. Considering that about 40 million adult Americans are on anti-depressants (smoking and drinking aside), it seems like more of an issue then just failing physical health of the elderly.
- oaktrout 4y ago
  Fair, I thought I was replying to the idea that old age must be miserable, but on re-reading I see that the poster I was replying to may have meant something else. Still, smokers not wanting the last 20 do themselves a disservice by disabling themselves and their hopes of redemption. They often do not die sudden deaths that bring them respite, instead many spend years struggling for breath hooked to oxygen tanks. I think these initially rebellious smokers see themselves as going out in a blaze of glory, but COPD is anything but.

BeetleB 4y ago

> It could be argued that smoking, alcoholism, and obesity are all means of coping with a high stress lifestyle. Hate to be that guy, but two of the 3 above are easily handled by simply not starting at all. People who don't start do not get the urge to go to these when under stress. Addressing stress is a lot more difficult than simply not starting. In the US, the rate of tobacco use continues to drop, and it is an outcome of a fairly significant campaign. Put all those resources into reducing stress and you simply won't move the needle.