We all want to live long and healthy lives, but sometimes we engage in habits that could be putting us at risk of an early death.

While there are many factors that contribute to overall health, three habits that are often overlooked are sleep, sitting, and exercise. In this article, we’ll explore how these habits can impact our health, and what we can do to ensure we’re not at risk of an early death.

The Impact of Sleep on Your Health

Sleep is a crucial component of our health, but many of us don’t get enough of it.

In fact, according to the National Sleep Foundation, adults aged 18-64 should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night, but 35% of Americans report getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night.

Not getting enough sleep has been linked to a number of health problems, including:.

Diabetes
Obesity
Cardiovascular disease
Depression
Inflammation

Additionally, studies have shown that not getting enough sleep can lower your immune system, making you more vulnerable to illness and disease.

If you’re not getting enough sleep, it’s important to take steps to improve your sleep hygiene. This might include:.

Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day
Avoiding screens before bedtime
Maintaining a cool and dark sleeping environment
Avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime

The Danger of Sitting Too Much

Many of us spend a significant amount of time sitting each day, whether it’s at a desk at work or on the couch at home. However, evidence suggests that prolonged periods of sitting can be detrimental to our health.

Studies have shown that sitting for long periods of time can increase your risk of:.

Obesity
Cardiovascular disease
Type 2 diabetes
Cancer (including breast, colon, and lung)

This is partially because sitting for extended periods of time can lead to decreased blood flow to the legs, which can contribute to a number of health problems.

If you have a job that requires you to sit for most of the day, try to take frequent breaks to stand, stretch, and move around.

Additionally, consider investing in a standing desk or making other changes to your workspace to encourage more movement throughout the day.

The Importance of Exercise for Your Health

We all know that exercise is important for our health, but many of us don’t get enough of it.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, but only about 23% of adults actually meet this guideline.

Regular exercise has been linked to a number of health benefits, including:.

Weight management
Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
Improved mental health
Improved sleep
Reduced risk of certain types of cancer

If you’re not currently getting enough exercise, try to incorporate more physical activity into your daily routine.

This might include going for a daily walk, taking up a new sport or fitness class, or finding other ways to move more throughout the day.

Conclusion

While there are many factors that contribute to overall health, it’s important not to overlook the impact of sleep, sitting, and exercise on our wellbeing.

By prioritizing these habits, we can reduce our risk of a number of health problems and increase our chances of living long and healthy lives.