It may be a good idea to take like antioxidant vitamins, which can help relieve stress, as researchers have found that stress may result in a shorter lifespan.

According to a study published in the journal Evolutionary Anthropology, scientists used ancient human teeth to discover that stress that was brought on earlier on in their life may have led to their early death.

Because teeth can serve as evidence of what kind of events take place throughout human development by studying the chronology of enamel development, researchers were able to notice individuals who experienced stress in the womb or during their early childhood had a shorter lifespan.

Researchers believe it was the stress of living conditions in earlier times may have resulted in individuals’ early demises. However, it should also be noted that deadly diseases were much more prevalent during this period.

“During prehistory, the stresses of infectious disease, poor nutrition and psychological trauma were likely extreme,” said researcher George Armelagos. “The teeth show the impact.”