As we age, so do our brains – but there is a way to help keep our brains younger – learning a second language.

Two recent studies looked at individuals who could at least understand a second language, and those who were most fluent did much better on cognitive tests.

Scientists believe those who can speak multiple languages train their brains to shift and focus on different things rapidly.

The most incredible part of the study was they found that being bilingual can help delay and avoid things like dementia and Alzheimer’s by an extra five to seven years.

If learning a new language has been on your to-do list, get started – your brain will thank you!

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If you want to add years to your life, all you need is five minutes. And this comes from an expert on longevity!

A few quick things to do every day to extend your life starts with habit stacking. This is where you add something positive to what you’re already doing, like practicing mindfulness while you make your morning coffee.

Micro-meditation helps – like focusing on your breathing, inhaling for four seconds, holding it for seven, and exhaling for eight – these steps help calm and relax us.

You know you should workout – but even five minutes can help – a quick brisk walk in the middle of the workday can help the rest of your day.

Instead of just scrolling social media, reach out to friends directly – that connection helps raise those feel-good hormones in our brains.

Finally, make sure you spend some time focusing upon what matters – a sense of purpose and your passions, it’s all been linked to longer life.

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First week of February and you’ve already forgotten about your new year’s resolution, right? Well, here’s something you can do that’s easy, and can help you look younger.

Stay hydrated – that’s the trick. It’s important for your overall health, and a new study has found it’ll help you live longer – those who don’t drink enough water have a 20% shorter life expectancy!

But, before you reach that point, chronic dehydration will make you 50% more likely to look old! Sunken eyes, sunken cheeks, and dry skin was all noticed in under hydrated study participants over age 45.

This study tracked them for a long time – 25 years – and they also found those who weren’t hydrated were more likely to have high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Looking younger may not have been your new year’s resolution, but if drinking more water is, you’ll get the added benefit!

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Think back to when you woke up this morning, did you immediately reach for your phone? It’s not a good habit to begin the day immediately scrolling – but there are a few tips that can help you break the habit:

First – use an actual alarm clock! Most of us use our phones, but if you use a true alarm clock, you won’t be as tempted to start scrolling.

If you do need the phone as an alarm, keep it in another room, and have it be loud enough to hear it – or if you do keep it in the bedroom, move it to the far corner so you must physically get up to get it – you won’t be tempted to keep lying in bed looking at it.

Change up how you start your morning – instead of looking at the phone first, maybe read a book or do some light stretching to resist the urge.

Finally, if you absolutely need to have the phone nearby, both Android and iPhones have functions that will limit access to apps at designated times – don’t allow them to be accessed until after you’re at work.

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Think back to last night – did you get enough sleep? Did you get that magic number of hours that you need – and, really, what is that number?

Well researchers have the answer – seven hours is the perfect amount for mental health. If you’re between the ages of 38 and 73, you want no less…and no more.

The testing showed that not enough sleep as well as too much sleep will affect our memories, problem solving skills, even our ability to pay attention. As well as more symptoms of anxiety and depression – and those got worse overall if the patten of not enough, or too much sleep, continued.

Now you’ve got the weekend, and three full nights, to start getting the right amount of sleep you need so you’ll be ready for Monday.

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