16 Ways You’re Shortening Your Lifespan Without Even Realizing It

woman serving food at a fast food restaurant counterPhoto byBlueSkyImage via Shutterstock

Are you inadvertently shortening your own life? Here are 16 small ways we destroy our health and small lifestyle changes we can make to improve.

Taking the Escalator

Do you always choose the escalator in malls? Take the stairs instead and force yourself to move more.

Sitting for Eight Hours

Our sedentary lifestyles are a massive problem. We have to work, but we don’t have to sit for hours. Take quick walks every hour, give yourself stretching breaks, or switch to a stand-up desk.

Refusing Your Veggies

We’re not kids anymore; we can eat a vegetable. Those with real aversions can try blending veggies into sauces.

Staying Up Late

Many of us stay up late because the evening is the only time to do things we enjoy. However, if you stay up too late, you won’t be able to get a full night's sleep, which is essential for your overall well-being.

Sleeping in on the Weekends

Sleeping in for an hour or so won’t cause huge problems, but if you’re sleeping until 10 or 11 on the weekends and trying to get up at seven during the week, your schedule will be off balance.

Try keeping a routine so you go to bed and wake up at similar times each day - even on the weekends.

Eating Junk

Heart Disease is the number one cause of death for Americans. A steady diet of greasy fast food and salty potato chips will lead you right towards it. Order more heart-healthy food when you go out, like salads, grilled chicken, and fish.

And Eating Too Much

It’s not just that we eat junk, but we eat tons of it. Most of us should be consuming about 2,000 calories per day. A fast food value meal provides about half your daily calories.

Drinking Pop

Pop may be delicious, but the sugary drink contains empty calories. Some folks drink 3-4 cans per day, and with each can having about 150 calories, that really adds up.

Refusing to Walk

Have you ever driven to a store less than a mile away? Our sedentary lifestyles are killing us, yet we opt for the easy way with every chance we get. Add a walk to your daily routine.

Staying at a Job You Hate

Sometimes we don’t have much of a choice, we need money and we need our job for money. But a stressful work environment can take years off your life. If you hate your job, you must start looking for new opportunities.

Or in a Bad Relationship

The stress of a bad relationship is just as detrimental to your health and well-being as the stress of a bad job. It’s okay to leave a relationship that isn’t working for you.

Refusing to Splurge on a Pillow

A good pillow makes a massive difference in sleep, yet far too many Americans refuse to shop around or pay more than $20 bucks for a good one. Spend a little more and get a pillow that helps you drift off to dreamland.

Not Getting a Check-Up

Healthcare is expensive, but it's far cheaper if you find and address issues when they’re small. Getting a regular check-up will help you identify any areas for improvement before they become life-threatening.

Falling for Rage Bait

News companies want to keep you mad, so you keep clicking and giving them more money. It raises your blood pressure, but they don’t care; they get more money.

Voting Against Your Interests

You’re not a temporarily embarrassed millionaire, so stop voting against common sense policies that would help ordinary people, like healthcare and paid time off.

Letting Your Brain Stagnate

Our brains are muscles, and like all the other muscles, they need exercise. Challenge your mind with puzzles, read new books, and become a lifelong student to keep your brain active.

How Journaling Can Boost Your Mental Health

Increase your health and wellness with a simple, low cost tool: Journaling. But don't take our word for it.

Mental health experts speak out about all the benefits journaling offers.

This article was produced and syndicated by Partners in Fire.