Healthy Aging: How to Outsmart Father Time

Friends are good for the soul. The time you spend doing things with other people may have a bigger effect on your life span than where you live, where you work, and whether you have a partner.

Get a little artsy and you'll be happier, think more clearly, and have a better quality of life. If you need an idea, consider acting. People who were asked to pick a new creative outlet said they were less intimidated by that than by singing, drawing, or painting. If you’ve always thought you were meant for the stage, now’s your time to shine.

Chances are, you're wearing too much. Research shows that women usually overestimate the amount of makeup they need, particularly when they want to appear attractive to others. Too much can make you look like you’re trying to hide your age.

You don't have to take up a new sport. Just work in the garden or take a brisk walk around the block. Each week, aim for at least 2 1/2 hours of activity that gets your heart going. And throw in some moves for your muscles, like push-ups or sit-ups, a couple of times. It can help you feel better, look better, and think better, too. It also helps prevent diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. But check with your doctor before starting any new exercise plan.

No, that suntan won't make you look younger. The sun's ultraviolet rays cause more than 90% of the damage to your skin, which includes the kind you can see -- wrinkles, rough patches, sagging, and skin blemishes. Sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer, too.

Keep challenging yourself, and you may help stop brain decline. Even better, consider a new skill that involves your body. Dancing is a great example because it allows you to exercise and socialize at the same time, two things that also keep your mind and body young.

If you don't, your teeth may get yellow, and you may develop gum disease. That can eat away at your gum line -- a telltale sign of age -- and is linked to heart disease, stroke, and even pancreatic cancer.

It causes wrinkles because it narrows your blood vessels and limits the blood that can get to the top layer of your skin. It also causes cancer, heart disease, and lung disease -- none of which make you feel or look young.