Certain daily activities that we deem harmless may be leading us down a path to an early grave. Sitting most of the day, wearing an uncomfortable outfit, or spending too much time on our Smartphones are just a few of the ordinary behaviors that we fall victim to as a result of carelessness and relaxation. Here on Medical Daily channel are seven everyday activities that are destroying our idea of a healthy lifestyle:

1. Sitting for too long

At one time or another, we all end up spending too much time at our desk staring at the computer screen. Research shows that extended periods of sitting can increase our risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, and certain types of cancer.

2. Wearing uncomfortable shoes, bras or handbags

Women who fight through the pain of an uncomfortable bra, handbag, or pair of shoes in the name of fashion may think they are doing so only for that moment; however, health experts say their current discomfort can lead to lifelong back problems. Aside from back pain, wearing an ill-fitting bra can cause skin rashes, tendonitis, and even gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. Even if that bulky handbag is the hottest trend this fashion season, ladies may want to avoid putting too much weight on their shoulders if they hope to avoid back-related issues. The American Chiropractic Association recommends that women carry no more than 10 percent of their body weight for extended periods of time.

“What we wear on our feet has a huge influence on our posture. In fact, some of the worst shoes for your feet are also likely to cause spine degeneration and even precipitate the need for spine surgery,” chief medical director at Laser Spine Institute, Dr. Michael Perry, told Medical Daily in an email. “High-heels are the obvious culprit when it comes to poor shoe choices for the feet and back. Heels pose a risk of falls, ankle sprains, rapid degeneration of the joints in the feet and problems with abnormal posture.”

3. Burying our heads in a smartphone or tablet

Poor posture triggered by mobile device use is not only affecting older people, but also those under the age of 24, who are finding it difficult to turn their attention away from their iPhone for even a second.

Studies show that the progressive use of smart phones and tablets can lead to an increase in medical problems — the main culprit being ‘text neck.’ Text neck is caused by leaning the head forward over a cell phone, tablet or gaming system for an extended time. The added strain on your neck and shoulders creates muscle tension and an opportunity for an injured spine, as well as muscle strain.

4. Not getting enough sleep

The National Sleep Foundation recommends a healthy adult take in anywhere between seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Aside from hindering our physical development and contributing to our obesity risk, failing to get a healthy amount of sleep can also impede on our neurological development. A study conducted at the Uppsala University in Sweden found that going even one night without sleep can result in an increase of molecules that are biomarkers for brain damage.

5. Daytime napping

That midday nap could be an effective way to improve productivity throughout the rest of our day, but spending too much time napping can have an equally negative impact. Data from the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk shows that people who constantly nap for more than an hour each day increase their early mortality risk by 32 percent.

6. Drinking sugary soft drinks

People who drink a can of soda a day increase their risk of suffering a heart attack by 20 percent according to a recent Harvard University study. The amount of sugar in a single can of soda, 10 teaspoons, or 100 percent of our daily recommended intake, can also increase our risk of pulmonary complications such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).