According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. As a result of the country’s aging population, this progressive brain disorder has grown to be the the sixth leading cause of death among all adults and the fifth leading cause for those aged 65 or older. Although there is no cure for this debilitating disease, a new study has found a way to reduce the risk of developing it: education.
A Cambridge University study of over 54,000 people found that every year spent in school reduces the chances of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease later in life by 11%. According to study co-author Dr. Susanna Larsson, from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, “Evidence suggests that education helps improve brain networks and thus could increase [cognitive] reserve.”
People who’ve spent more time in school have a greater resiliency against degenerative brain disorders because they have more neurological connections to fall back on. Those with fewer connections — or less cognitive reserve — are forced to rely on poorer formed connections which can exacerbate the spread of dementia.
Older people who aren’t in the position to go back to school can reduce their Alzheimer’s risk by working longer. A 2013 study found that those who delay retirement are less likely to develop the disease. “For each additional year of work, the risk of getting dementia is reduced by 3.2%,” Carole Dufouil, a scientist at INSERM, the French government’s health research agency, said.
The answer to preserving one’s cognitive function appears to be “use it or lose it.” Those who keep their brains active and continue building connections throughout their lives have a better chance of maintaining their cognitive abilities as they age. It’s life’s big reward for staying busy, being open to change, and living life to its fullest.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.