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Mumbai orthopaedic surgeon says this ‘1 thing’ can kill you even faster than smoking or drinking

Published on: Nov 27, 2025, 10:04:55 IST
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Ignoring stress can be more harmful than smoking or drinking, says Dr Vora. (Pixabay)
Ignoring stress can be more harmful than smoking or drinking, says Dr Vora. (Pixabay)

Everyone fears alcohol and cigarettes, but one everyday habit quietly wreaks havoc on your body and lifespan, warns orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Manan Vora.

We often focus on the obvious health risks like smoking or drinking, but some everyday habits can quietly harm our bodies even more. Dr Manan Vora, a Mumbai-based orthopaedic surgeon and health educator, warns that one common practice could be deadlier than both smoking and drinking, significantly raising the risk of serious health issues. (Also read: Amitabh Bachchan’s fitness coach shares secret to burning fat while building muscle: ‘Weight loss alone isn’t enough’ )

Can stress be more dangerous than smoking or drinking

“Alcohol and cigarettes will not kill you. What will kill you is stress,” says Dr Manan. “Your body releases cortisol and adrenaline, that’s stress, when you feel bogged down, low, and drained.”

Most people don’t realise that stress isn’t just mental. “It’s a full-body reaction,” Dr Vora explains. “Watch for signals your body sends you, back pain, tension headaches, knots in the muscles, tight shoulders, and grinding teeth. When you are under pressure, your body tenses up under the stress you experience every day.”

How sleep help your body fight stress

He warns that the danger compounds without proper sleep. “Without deeply restorative sleep, your body never gets the chance to fully restore. Skipping those 7 to 8 hours means you’re carrying yesterday’s tension into today and adding today’s pressure on top of it. Day after day, it compounds.”

Dr Vora emphasises the importance of sleep as the body’s reset mechanism. “Deep restorative sleep is your body’s only real reset. That’s when stress hormones drop, muscles finally relax, and tissues repair themselves. You realise it’s not just in the mind but also impacts the body.”

Note to readers: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

  • Akanksha Agnihotri
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Akanksha Agnihotri

    Akanksha Agnihotri is a lifestyle journalist with over 3 years of experience. She is a psychology graduate and holds a postgraduate diploma in Radio and Television Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, where she graduated as a gold medalist. Originally from Bhopal, the beautiful capital of Madhya Pradesh, she draws inspiration from the city’s rich cultural heritage and layered storytelling traditions that subtly shape her narrative voice. She writes extensively about fashion, beauty, health, relationships, culture, and food, exploring everything from trending styles and runway moments to wellness routines and mindful living. Passionate about meaningful and candid conversations, she enjoys interviewing celebrities, doctors, designers, and film personalities, diving into discussions on fitness, beauty, mental health, and everything fun in between. With a keen eye for trends and a thoughtful understanding of human behaviour, she brings depth, sensitivity, and authenticity to her stories, ensuring they resonate with a wide and diverse audience. When she’s not working, you’ll usually find her lost in a book, planning her next mountain trek, or mapping out spontaneous travel escapes. She loves discovering new authors, revisiting old favourites, and spending quiet afternoons in museums soaking in art, history, and culture. An avid bird-watching enthusiast, she finds joy in early morning walks, spotting rare birds, and reconnecting with nature. Whether sipping coffee while journaling her thoughts or exploring hidden corners of a new city, she constantly seeks inspiration in everyday moments that often turn into compelling story ideas.Read More

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