What can boost your sex life, reduce your risk of heart attack, make you more successful at work, and help keep your brain young? Omega-3 DHA? Aspirin? Well, maybe both. But there's one sure thing: a vacation. (As long as you aren't traveling with the Griswolds!)

It breaks your routine, clears your mind, and relaxes you. But these days, balancing work, family, and a budget can put holidays on hold. So we're dedicated to making sure you get the health benefits even if you stay home.

1. Get safe sunshine! In your backyard, hiking with the kids, or touring a new city, getting more vitamin D-3 and relaxation is life-extending. Go for 1,000 IU of D-3 per day from vitamins, D-fortified foods, and sun exposure. In the Northeast, with 25 percent of your skin exposed, it takes three to eight minutes for your body to make 400 IU of D-3. After 10 minutes or so, slather on micronized zinc oxide SPF 30 sunblock!

2. Find nature. Whether you trek up a mountain or plant a bed of tulips, the sights, scents, and sounds of nature reduce stress, crank up passion, and help you make better decisions at work. (Bring nature to work with plants or photographs.)

3. Laugh loud and long. Tickle your funny bone to bathe your body in feel-good hormones, fill your organs with oxygen-rich blood, and lower your blood pressure.

4. Plan your next break. The delight of thinking about a holiday is as relaxing — or even more so — than taking one!


© 2012 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.