Your TV is killing you — 22 minutes at a time

Viewing back-to-back episodes of the various Real Housewives shows may be killing more than your brain cells.

We all know exercise can prolong our lives; new research indicates that too much TV can do the opposite.

Researchers in Australia found that six hours a day of TV viewing reduced life expectancy by nearly five years. Logging lower amounts of tube time has an effect too.

In fact, according to the researchers, the data shows that each hour of TV watched after the age of 25 shortens a person’s lifespan by 22 minutes. Essentially, that means each hour of TV viewing has the same effect as smoking two cigarettes.

Researchers say the problem isn’t the actual viewing, but the lengthy amounts of physical inactivity that comes with it.