Thanks to our new, 20-second hand-washing practices, our hands got a lot of attention this year. But while most of us know how important it is to keep them clean (cough, cough: very), you may not realize that it's also important to keep them strong using hand exercises. In fact, it could even help you live longer.

According to research, grip strength might be an indicator of longevity. A 2018 study found that there is "clear evidence that shows low grip strength is associated with a range of poorer health outcomes," and authors told Reuters that "grip strength showed a stronger association with cardiovascular disease than blood pressure and physical activity." According to Phaeleau Cunneen, CPT, this is likely attributed to the fact that people with high grip strength lead a "generally more active lifestyle," but there's still value in integrating grip-strengthening hand exercises into your routine.