A mind really is a terrible thing to waste. As we get older, our brains begin to age and lose neurons, and, eventually, our brain tissue starts to shrink. Cognitive decline can lead to an increased risk for illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

While this might sound scary, rest assured that there are plenty of things you can do to keep your mind healthy and sharp for as long as possible. And, as it turns out, this doesn’t mean you have to play tedious memory games every day to do so! With some healthy habits and hobbies, you can easily flex your brain muscles and help combat the effects of an aging brain to keep it sharper longer. 

Try out some of these daily brain-boosting activities to keep your brain healthy and strong:

Chances are, you’re probably slouching right now as you read this. From your office cubical to lounging at home, everyday life makes it difficult to maintain proper posture. But it’s important to understand that poor posture is more than just a “cosmetic” issue. It can have some serious health consequences. 

Slouching for hours each day can lead to soreness and pain, poor circulation, fatigue, poor digestion, and even arthritis. Even more surprising, poor posture can lead to mental side effects as well. A 2012 study found that a “slouched or despondent body posture can lead to decreased energy and feelings of depression”. Yup, that’s right, slouching can make you sad. 

Maintaining proper posture throughout the workday might sound like a lot of work, but the benefits make the extra effort completely worthwhile. According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), correct posture: 

You know that stressing out is bad for your health, but you just can’t help it! Projects keep piling up, you’re struggling to fulfill commitments, and you haven’t even had time to sit down and enjoy a meal. Does this sound like you? If so, you need to learn to reduce the stress in your life before it’s too late.

Chronic stress can lead to health problems such as weight gain, depression, and even contribute to heart disease. Not to mention, both your personal and professional life will suffer from unmanaged stress. While there’s no magic potion to cure stress completely, you can certainly make your life less stressful instantly with these 11 tips: 

Imagine feeling energized all day long: no afternoon slump, no heavy eyelids, and no nodding off at your desk. Sounds like a fantasy, right? Well, we believe that feeling energized and productive all day long is totally achievable when you practice healthy habits.

When that feeling of afternoon fatigue settles in, many of us reach for another cup of coffee or hit the vending machine for a sugary, caffeinated beverage. However, sugar and caffeine are only a temporary fix that can lead to a nasty crash later. 

If you are looking for some natural ways to feel energized all day long, here are some tricks that will keep you from ordering that extra shot of espresso:

Lately, we’ve been offering a lot of advice for reducing workplace stress.

That’s because we believe workplace stressors shouldn’t get in the way of a happy, healthy life – and we’re sure most employers would agree. One aspect of employee stress that doesn’t get the attention it deserves is financial stress. Fortunately, a lot of companies are getting on board and addressing the importance of financial wellness.

The rising popularity of financial wellness programs was an expected workplace wellness trend of 2017. More and more companies are starting to offer financial wellness programs for employees – for good reason too. It’s clear that employers are aware of the dangers of financial stress in the workplace.

According to GreenPath Financial Wellness, 78% of employers say financial concerns can negatively impact employee productivity, while 71% of employees say their top source of stress is personal finances. Employees struggling with financial troubles have difficulty focusing on work and performing their best.

During times of stress and hectic days at the office, you might think you don’t have time for a healthy meal. However, consuming fast food and sugary snacks will contribute to your feelings of stress and anxiety even more. Eating healthily is one of the best things you can do for your body during times of stress. Certain nutrients will help balance your mood and relieve any tension.

When you’re under a lot of pressure and feeling anxious, your body produces a stress hormone called cortisol. High levels of cortisol can lead to high blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Over time, high levels of cortisol can have many negative effects on your health and even heighten your risk of certain diseases. When you eat to beat stress, you want to focus on foods that will reduce these cortisol levels and keep blood pressure levels in check.

Instead of stress-eating or skipping meals altogether, try eating healthy snacks and meals that contain stress-busting foods. Check out this list of eight healthy foods to eat when you’re feeling stressed out:

It seems like almost every adult responsibility requires us to be a morning person. Unfortunately, for a lot of us, that just isn’t the case. Most of us aren’t even tolerable to be around until our cup of coffee has kicked in.

But wouldn’t it be nice if it didn’t take all those caffeine jitters to make us feel alert and happy in the morning? What if you could wake up and instantly feel ready to take on the day? That’s what morning people feel like! Believe it or not, anyone can learn to become a morning person. With a healthy routine and a little practice, you will find yourself a lot less grumpy when that alarm clock starts buzzing.

Read on to learn 10 tricks that will transform a night owl into a morning person: 

Workplace wellness programs are more innovative now than ever. From incorporating wearables to hosting daily yoga classes, companies are stepping up their wellness game. Employers who are dedicated to promoting workplace health, happiness, and productivity are taking a fun and holistic approach to employee wellness. These efforts help drive employee participation and create results that last.

Because we know that brainstorming creative and effective wellness ideas can be a bit challenging, we decided to round up 10 companies with phenomenal wellness programs and summarize their initiatives in an easy-to-read eBook. This eBook will serve as your insight into some of the most successful and dynamic wellness programs. These healthy companies are guaranteed to inspire you with some fresh ideas and creative wellness strategies.

So, if you’re curious about what other companies are doing to create a winning wellness program, look no further! We created the ultimate idea eBook to help you spice up your workplace wellness program. Here’s a sneak-peek of what you’ll find in our free, downloadable eBook:

A break from reality in a wellness retreat doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, it can be completely free! We love the idea of a DIY wellness retreat – and it’s easier to create than you might think. With a few crafty tricks and some simple supplies, you can transform your home into a peaceful oasis.

Here’s how to create your very own wellness retreat:

For many of us, the weekends are our favorite time of the week. Along with not having to wake up to that dreaded alarm clock, Saturday and Sunday provide time to relax and participate in some of your favorite hobbies. We believe that the weekends are the perfect opportunity to clear your mind and recover from any built-up stress.

However, sometimes, the weekends can be stressful if you over-commit or try to do too many unpleasant chores. You need to prioritize your weekend around your wellness and happiness. A stressful weekend will leave you feeling groggy, irritable, and anxious – starting off your workweek on a wrong foot.

So, if you want to feel fresh and re-charged while walking into work on Monday morning, try out some of these weekend wellness activities to help conquer stress from the workweek: