Perhaps dying younger is simply that being educated and joining the workforce entails thinking more. Low grade, high-volume thinking requires persistent states

Perhaps dying younger is simply that being educated and joining the workforce entails thinking more. Low grade, high-volume thinking requires persistent states of arousal, not dissimilar from stress, and ultimately causing stress. The symptoms are reduced immune activity, increased blood pressure, poor digestion, etc. The health risks of chronic overwork (heart attack, stroke) do seem to be the same as those of excess hedonism (heart attack, stroke). The double whammy is that people who work too hard tend to 'play hard' during their off-duty hours. They think of it as necessary and well-earned relaxation, which is why they do it, but it isn't quite the same thing. Drinking, smoking and other drugs merely produce more arousal, though it is interpreted as being pleasant because the ego is not threatened. I think the foregoing ideas are why some religious traditions have specified a day of complete rest, which breaks the cycle somewhat