Here’s some great news: Alzheimer’s is an illness that can be avoided by making lifestyle changes! And the earlier we start, the better. That’s according to Dr. Richard Isaacson, director of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic at Cornell University Medical College.

In fact, Dr. Isaacson says that anyone under 40 can practically guarantee a dementia-free old age by staying mentally and physically active, reducing their stress, and making these dietary changes:

#1: Cut out processed foods. Every time we eat something that spikes blood glucose levels – like fast food and refined carbs – our hippocampus takes a hit. And that’s a big deal because that’s the area of the brain responsible for memory and spatial navigation.

This next tip cuts the risk of dementia by 35%: Fill half your plate with vegetables – especially dark, leafy greens. Because studies show a vegetable-rich diet prevents the inflammation that’s associated with cognitive decline.

Another anti-Alzheimer’s tip: Eat cold-water fish twice a week. It boosts blood flow to the brain, and reduces plaque buildup, a top cause of Alzheimer’s.

Finally: Dr. Isaacson says we should eat berries 3 times a week, and enjoying a square of dark chocolate every day. In studies, doing that delayed cognitive decline in seniors. It’s down to the flavonoids in chocolate and berries that keep brain cells functioning normally.

Those little fights and squabbles you have with your spouse add up… and break down your relationship. That’s according to relationship therapist Ester Perel. She says, recurring jabs for, say, not doing the dishes, or mini-arguments about things like your work hours, can create a tear in your bond that grows over time. Perel calls bickering “low-impact warfare.” Because couples who bicker all the time can stay together a long time, because they’re not having giant, blow-up screaming matches. But after a while, that tear in the fabric of the relationship gets so big it can’t be repaired. So why do couples do it?

First, they have a negativity bias. So instead of seeing what their partner does RIGHT, they’re hyper-aware of everything they do wrong.

Also, the person who picks on their partner may do it because, deep-down, they feel they care more about the relationship than their partner does.

Plus, when people are feeling vulnerable, they may go on the attack to mask it. Because anger is easier to express than hurt.

So Perel tells her clients to keep a log of things their partners do RIGHT on a weekly basis, things that make them feel cared about. Because seeing how much your partner does for you can help change your thinking.

Wouldn’t it be great to know which people are untrustworthy and mean? Well, DOGS have that innate instinct! According to the journal Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, scientists have a better understanding of how dogs sense characteristics like meanness and trustworthiness.

Basically, scientists staged a bunch of scenarios where dogs witnessed volunteers either being helpful – like, helping a stranger open a jar – or totally UNhelpful. Then, the same volunteers offered dogs a treat.

Time and time again, dogs were significantly more likely to ACCEPT the treat if it was being offered by a volunteer who had been helpful! But if dogs saw people being unhelpful, they usually IGNORED the treats – and refused to interact with the volunteers in any way!

Researchers say this proves dogs have incredible perception when it comes to kindness and trustworthiness. So, if your dog doesn’t like someone, you may want to take their word – or instinct – for it!