The Activities You're Doing Right Now That Are Worse For Your Health Than Smoking

By Kevin DiDonato MS, CES--Level 1 Certified Precision Nutrition and Certified Personal Trainer


Everyone knows that smoking is downright awful for your health.

Are we in agreement there?

This is one of the reasons why the government, fueled by a massive tobacco settlement, is out to educate the public as to why smoking will ruin your health—and quite possibly kill you.

So, without harping too much on you, if you smoke, quit, and if you have quit, keep being strong and resist the temptation to light one up.

Now, you would think that this article is going to be about smoking and just how bad it is for your health.

Well, you would be WRONG.

Today I am going to give you THREE different activities—that you’re probably guilty of doing every day—that could be just as bad for your health as smoking is!

Shocking, I know…

Let’s take a closer look at the activities that could be destroying your health:

1. Sitting All Day

Have a desk job that doesn’t require much movement throughout the day?

Then I am sorry to say, but you’re putting your health at risk-regardless if you exercise or not!

A recent study showed those who sat for hours on end, were more likely to develop diabetes or cancer, have
significant weight gain, and may be at risk for dying from heart disease.

Now, those who did exercise, were slightly better off, but the risk still remained significant.

In order to reverse the trend, you need to think creatively.  A stand up desk may work wonders, or taking time out of your day to walk around the office is another way to prevent—or possibly reverse—the damage associated with prolonged sitting.

2. You Missed Out on the Sunscreen

In a few months, it will be summertime, which means most people will be looking to get out in the sun, enjoy the warmth and the rays, and get a tan.

While most people understand the risk, many people don’t take the necessary steps to protect themselves from melanoma.

The easiest way to do this?  Apply sunscreen to your body every couple of hours!

Melanoma, which is the worst type of skin cancer, shows very little mercy to those who get it.   In fact, recent statistics show that twice as many men die from melanoma each year! 

Time to stop being stubborn, guys, and put on the sunscreen! 

Another way to reduce your risk for melanoma, or other types of skin cancer, would be to avoid direct sunlight on your skin between the hours of 10am and 4pm. 

Some days you can spend up to 10 minutes in the sun, but any more than that increases your risk significantly.

3. You Hit Happy Hour too Hard

Do you hit up happy hour after a hard time at the office?

If so, then you may be putting yourself at greater risk for an early death!

Now, you may be sitting there scratching your head…

…all because you heard that alcohol could lower your risk of heart disease!

And this could be true!  However, these studies involved moderate drinking—or the equivalent of three drinks per day.

Most people partake in more at happy hour, which could lead to an increase in health issues, plus the early death I mentioned before.

Conclusions

Everyone knows that smoking is awful for your health.   And this is why most people avoid, or quit smoking, to improve their health and reduce their risk for death.

However, smoking is not the only thing that could kill you!

In fact, sitting too long, drinking too much, and not using sunscreen are all things that could be WORSE for your health than smoking alone.

From increased risk for heart disease to the development of cancer, these three risk factors could be just as deadly as smoking is for your health.

So, if you find yourself doing these three things on an everyday basis, you may want to change some things in order to reduce your health risks and lower your heart disease or cancer risk.