Life expectancy is higher now than any point in human history, but rather that being on the lookout for a rabid Saber-Tooth, the things that are harmful to your health are not as obvious.
So be on the lookout for these lesser known dangers that could be extremely harmful to your health..
1. Plastic isn’t fantastic | Harmful To Your Health
That water bottle you are reaching for on your desk at work or from the supermarket shelf, that you may think is beneficial. Could be extremely harmful to your health. If you choose to drink coffee out of a plastic cup you might want to rethink that too..
BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical that is added to many commercial products, including food containers.
Research has linked even low-dose BPA exposure to cardiovascular problems, including heart disease, reproductive disorders, heart attack and hypertension.
Choose instead to drink out of glass or porcelain for your coffee and other beverages, and if do you choose plastic for your water bottles, make sure they are BPA free.
2. Take a seat | Harmful To Your Health
I know this one seems a little over the top, but hear me out.
Sitting down is not the direct problem. It’s the amount of sitting that is..
The human body was designed to move. Moving your body gets your heart beating and your blood flowing. When we exercise, we increase our blood flow, which helps transport oxygen and nutrients to every cell in our bodies.
The issue is that a lot of us are spending 40, 50, 60 hours each week sitting at our work desks, and then we sit down to have lunch. Then we go home and sit on the couch to relax.
Research shows that too much sitting can be detrimental to our moods, our heart function and our spine!
Be mindful of the amount of time you spend sitting each day and plan to make small changes that will help get you moving. Plan catch-ups with friends as a walk or hike. Walk to and from work or if you catch a bus, get off the bus stop a little further from work to get moving.
3. Not sweet enough | Harmful To Your Health
Research has shown that artificial sweeteners can alter our microbiome, killing off good bacteria in our gut as well as interfering with the hormones that help us to feel full.
That means when you eat artificial sweetners, your body may forget how to tell you that you are full. Seems counterintuitive right?
Not only that but some of the chemicals found in sweeteners have been linked to certain cancers, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, autism, and more.
Instead of choosing chemical based sugar alternatives, try natural ones instead like honey or coconut sugar.
4. Watched TV, died. | Harmful To Your Health
This one is a bit of a no brainer. We know TV isn’t great for us. It makes us lazy and stops us from engaging in the real world for hours and even sometimes days at a time (depending on the show.) But can it actually kill you?
Well, a recent study by the American Heart Association of healthy young adults found that watching lots of television is associated with premature death. WHAT?!
The results showed that those who reported watching three hours or more of TV per day had twice the risk of dying during the 8-year follow-up period than those who said they didn’t watch more than 1 hour per day.
So this weekend instead of binge-watching your latest favourite series, make a plan to get outside and into nature. Enjoy the amazing planet we are blessed to live on.
There are always going to be things in the world that are harmful to our physical, mental and emotional health. Our job is to decide which path we take and how well we want to treat ourselves. That will determine our overall well-being and happiness. What are you choosing today?