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Humans are creatures of habit. We develop behaviors and routines that become part of our personalities and stay with us for a lifetime. That’s why it can be challenging to notice them and think consciously about how they impact our health.
Recent research has highlighted some common habits that decrease our lifespan and by about how many years, on average. In this article, we’ll discuss three of these everyday habits that you might be guilty of. Read on to find out what the research says about them.
1. Not Enough Exercise
Recent research found that people who exercised for 30 to 45 minutes most days or took 7,000 to 9,000 steps each day cut their risk of early death by up to 70%. When it comes to adding years to your life, even 10 minutes of movement is good enough, according to a 2019 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
2. Spending Too Much Time Alone
Minimize your time spent connecting with friends and family through technology and, whenever possible, meet up with them in person instead. Staying social reduces your risk of some age-related diseases like dementia. Numerous studies have shown that isolation has comparable negative health impacts to things like smoking, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Scientists have found that loneliness activates our body’s stress response, causing chronic inflammation that is harmful to the immune system, heart, and brain.
3. Not Getting Enough Sleep
Sleep is vital for our bodies to repair and maintain critical functions, like our brain and immune system. UCLA scientists found that one bad night is enough for cells in older adults to age faster. Studies have also found that adults who often get less than seven hours of quality sleep each night potentially increase the risk of developing a life-shortening disease.
Extending Your Life Made Easy
The habits discussed in this article can be quickly curbed with just a few tweaks to your lifestyle; the key is to make time. Think about what you do every day that doesn’t add to the quality of your life and replace that with more exercise, visiting friends and family, and more rest. By making these three simple changes, you’ll notice a difference in how you feel. By making them a part of your routine, you can add years to your life.
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