It’s tough to break bad habits. And those revolving around food can be especially hard to break. But there are some we do daily that you should avoid, because it can be really harming your health:

Don’t skip breakfast – it’s one of our worst habits – and you end up overeating the rest of the day because our bodies are starving and desperate for nutrients.

On the other hand, eating late at night is bad for our bodies, it can lead to disrupted sleep, indigestion, and a lack of hunger in the morning.

When eating proper meals throughout the day at appropriate times, it’s important not to overeat with huge portions! Excess calories may deposit as fat, leading to an increase in body weight, which leads to high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, two risk factors of major health conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

And the choice of food is important too – too much added sugar can lead to issues like higher blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, diabetes, and fatty liver diseases, which can be linked to heart attack and stroke.

Whatever your eating habits may be, it’s important to pay attention to the ones harming your health in the long run.

Image Credit: innovatedcaptures / iStock / Getty Images Plus

When times are tough, it’s a challenge to remain positive. But if you can do it – you might live longer.

A new study found that optimism can add years to your life. This study lasted over two decades! They asked a lot of questions over the years of 160,000 people – and the ones who remained optimistic lived the longest – many reached 90 and even older.

At the end of the study, those who lived optimistically lived over 5% longer than those who were pessimistic. Put another way – if you live to 90, that’s nearly five extra years.

So…think happy thoughts!

Image Credit: Boonyachoat / iStock / Getty Images Plus

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!

Image Credit: Borislav / iStock / Getty Images Plus

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.

Image Credit: airdone / iStock / Getty Images Plus

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!

Image Credit: Liudmila Chernetska / iStock / Getty Images Plus