Wow! I got this from MSN health and well being. I'll copy and paste it one by one cuz I really loves the comment.
THE MODERN ADDICTION
Life in 2007 for many of us is fast-moving, stressful and dependent on technology. Our way of life has therefore given birth to a number of modern addictions and maladies that, if allowed to spiral out of control, could lead to health problems, money worries and a whole lot of trouble.
We examine some of the modern lifestyle addictions that are increasingly affecting our wellbeing and take a look at what you can do to put a stop to your nasty habits.
Is your computer on 24/7? Do you break out in a sweat if you have to go 20 minutes without checking your inbox? If so, you may be an internet addict, and you should try and curb this condition if you want to avoid being moody and agitated. Clinics are already starting to open up to treat this addiction, which can also deprive sufferers of sleep and lead to eye and back problems. Networking sites such as Facebook are only making the problem more widespread.
If you lie about the price of things you have bought or debts you have accrued, or if you get a buzz out of buying things even though you probably don't need them, then there is a good chance you are addicted to shopping. But remember, retail therapy isn't a cure for anything and certainly won't make you happy - quite the opposite in fact. Time to come clean and bring your finances under control.
Anyone who knows their classical history or has read Marques de Sade will know that sex addiction isn't technically a modern affliction. But it is perhaps more threatening to our wellbeing than ever before and if you feel that you depend upon sex to feel normal or calm, you need to find help. The last thing you want is your problem to put you or others at risk.
A caffeine shot with breakfast, brunch, lunch, mid-afternoon and dinner will can lead to anxiety, insomnia and a dose of the shakes. We Brits love our coffee, but don't let your dependency get out of hand and try and limit yourself to one cup a day. After that, go for herbal tea instead.
If you can type a text faster than the speed of light, find that you are constantly on the phone or feel naked if you leave the house without your mobile, you could be suffering from 'mobile phone dependence syndrome', a term coined in China, the country with the world's largest population of mobile phone users. Symptoms include irritability if you are unable to use your phone and anger if no-one calls you for any period of time. Sufferers also show signs of stress and anxiety, and are putting themselves at risk of stress injuries such as RSI. Try and remember that, while it's good to talk, you shouldn't have to rely on your phone to feel complete, so switch off and relax. After all, what did people do before mobiles were invented?
Pressure at work often leads to an unhealthy attachment to the office, and if you find that you work late most nights and can't get work out of your head even when you are at home, then it is time for you to restore your work/life balance. Ignoring the problem will only lead to extra stress, dwindling love life and a distinct lack of mates.
Anorexia and bulimia have been around for yonks, but experts now think binge eating disorder is more common than both of these put together. Binge eaters will consume an astonishing quantity of food - even if they’re not hungry - and continue to overdose until uncomfortably full. Try and remember that you don't have to eat everything on your plate to feel full and, more importantly, learn to control your portion sizes.
While regular exercise is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, doing too much can damage your immune system and leave you feeling tired. Signs include feeling guilty if you miss a session and exercising while ill or injured. Four or five sessions a week should be your max, but listen to your body and you will know when it needs a break.
You may not think you are addicted to salt, but that is because many of the things we eat contain far too much of it and you might find that you start to miss it when it is taken away. Studies have shown that there is far too much salt in many of the foods we buy and that even a minor reduction in our intake would reduce deaths from heart disease significantly. Try and stick to 6g a day and use nutritional information to guide you.
There are so many ways to gamble these days - online, mobile phone and the traditional bookmakers to name just three. But ask yourself this - have you ever met a poor bookie? Thought not. That's because gambling is a mugs game which leads to depression, financial ruin and utter despair if you're not careful. You cannot make yourself rich from betting, and no number of supercasinos will ever change that fact.
Smoking isn't a modern phenomenon, but in this day and age it is startling to think that people still do it. The dangers to your health are endless, and with the smoking ban already in place in parts of the UK and coming to England in a matter of months, now is the time to kick the habit for good.
If you rely on a joint in the evening to get you to sleep or just to get through the day, you need to give up the weed as soon as possible. If not, you face the possibility of suffering from a serious mental health problem, not to mention the damage you are doing to your lungs, and the fact that it is illegal
