Three unexpected ways you may be sabotaging your health
You know that being sedentary, smoking, eating highly processed foods, and being socially isolated can cause disability and shorten your life. But do you know that holding a grudge, fear of learning you have a health problem, and thinking only major lifestyle upgrades are helpful can amplify your risk of illness and increase your ActualAge?
Holding a grudge boosts levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can negatively impact cardiovascular, metabolic and homeostatic functions like blood sugar, digestion, cognition, body temperature, and your central nervous system. Meditation, exercise and talk therapy can help you let it go.
Fear of finding out you have a health problem just makes it worse when it becomes a reality you cannot ignore. To reduce your disease risk and increase the chances of effective treatment, get regular checkups, as well as colonoscopies, prostate checks and mammograms. And see your doctor when you feel off but don't know why.
And last, but not least, don't think improvements to your health demand that you make huge changes quickly. Want to increase your daily step count? Don't go from 0 to 10,000. Instead, park your car in the back of the lot at work and take the stairs instead of the elevator. A 2026 study found that five to 10 minutes more of moderate to intense activity and 30 to 60 minutes less sedentary time daily reduces deaths from all causes by 6% to 10%.
Bonus: My book "The Great Age Reboot" offers more practical advice on how to reclaim your health and joy.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at drmikerealage@gmail.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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