As the Huffington Post points out, positive thinking sounds useful on the surface. After all, most of us would prefer to be positive rather than negative, but positive thinking is also a fluffy term that is easy to dismiss when faced with serious, real-world issues. However, research shows that positive thinking is about much more than wearing a smile and displaying an upbeat attitude. A study by the Yale Public School of Health suggests that having a more positive outlook on the aging process could have an effect on how one experiences it. When older adults view age as a time of wisdom, self-realization and satisfaction their positive mindset opens them up to seeing more possibilities in their own lives, and that brings with it a host of benefits, both physical and emotional.

A good night’s sleep offers a lot of benefits…you awake feeling refreshed, have more energy, and enjoy increased mental clarity. However, sound sleep has far greater implications beyond feeling good the next day. According to new research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London, there is increasing evidence that it may also protect against dementia. “While correlation between sleep apnea and dementia has been documented in the past, these are among the first longitudinal studies to look at the relationship between sleep disruption and the biomarkers commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease.” Past research has shown that during sleep the brain clears deposits of amyloid plaque, a protein that is toxic to neurons in the brain. Sleep disruption may impede this process and contribute to memory disorders. While more research needs to be done, there is no harm in taking steps to improve your sleep habits.

Here are a few things you can do to catch some more ZZZs...