Everyone is worried about their skin getting older, so they avoid too much sun exposure and use pricey lotions to stop it from happening too soon. However, what about the aging of the brain? Cognitive decline also starts when the brain ages more quickly than normal. And are you aware of who is responsible for this? Your slumber.

Sleep is a vital "brain care" activity that rebuilds and revitalizes your brain. Most sleep-deprived or self-described "night owls" dismiss the frequent symptom of difficulty falling asleep with a cup of coffee in the morning. However, it appears that sleep issues are more complex than they first appear.

According to a study by the American Academy of Neurology that was published in the journal Neurology, middle-aged persons' sleep disturbances—such as poor sleep quality or difficulty falling asleep—are important indicators of early brain aging. According to the study, sleep issues can hasten the aging process of the brain by up to three years. Let's see what else the research found.