These 12 strategies will help you find your sweet spot. It's that place where you're giving your body what it needs, and it's repaying you by looking and feeling tip-top.

Take vitamin D.

Vitamin D is vital for your memory, skin, heart, bones, and arteries, and it helps fight off cancer. Yet 75% of people don't get enough D. Getting enough vitamin D daily (1,000 mg; 1,200 mg after age 60) can make you 9.4 years younger.

Watch your numbers.

Keeping your waist size, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol in the healthy zone dramatically reduces your risk of many problems, including cardiovascular disease. The combined effect? Huge. It can make you as much as 19.8 years younger.

Stay in touch.

Reach out to family and friends through e-mails, phone calls, and, whenever you can, face-to-face visits. Staying connected can make you 8.5 years younger.

Be fruity and nutty.

Fruits and nuts are a tasty, satisfying way to keep your heart, mind, and waistline healthy. Eating 4 to 5 servings of fruit and a handful of nuts daily can make you 6.4 years younger.

Keep stress in check.

Stress comes in many shapes, sizes, and strengths -- some of it good. But the bad kind ages you inside and out. Reducing bad stress with meditation or other relaxation techniques can make you 1.7 years younger.

Go for whole grains.

Unprocessed grains have more fiber and nutrients, which help fend off disease and keep your weight healthy. Eating 5+ servings of whole grains a day can make you 2.6 years younger.

Think happy thoughts.

Positive moods and a good attitude help your body's vital systems stay in balance. Do you give off a happy vibe? Staying upbeat can make you 5.2 years younger.

Step to it.

A daily 30-minute walk is one of the best ways to keep your bones, blood pressure, waistline, joints, energy, arteries, and attitude young -- but the benefits are so broad that they're hard to calculate. For example, if daily walks help keep your blood pressure at 115/70, that alone can make your up to 12 years younger.

Sleep on it.

Regularly sleeping enough helps with everything from keeping your energy up to keeping your weight down. Getting at least 6 hours of sleep a night -- but no more than 9 hours -- can make you 3.4 years younger.

Lift a little.

Working out with weights does your muscles and your bones good, and it doesn't take a ton of time to make a difference. Strength-training for just 10 minutes three times per week can make you as much as 2.6 years younger.

Spend 120 seconds at the bathroom sink.

Having healthy teeth and gums helps keep your arteries and immune system in top shape, which helps keep your body working like it should. Flossing and brushing daily can prevent periodontal disease and tooth loss, which can make you 6.1 years younger.

Take a class.

Sign up for something you've always wanted to learn -- to speak Italian, play the guitar, cook. Staying mentally active throughout life can keep your brain sharp and improve your overall health.

WHAT’S FOR DINNER?!

Sirloin, Pepper & Onion Skillet

Prep Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

40 mins

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until it's well browned on both sides.

Remove the beef from the skillet. Pour off any fat. Reduce the heat to medium.

Heat the remaining oil in the skillet. Add the onion and peppers and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the garlic and cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring often.

Add the vinegar to the skillet and cook and stir for 1 minute.

Stir in the soup and water and heat to a boil.

Return the beef to the skillet.

Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook the beef for 2 minutes for medium or until desired doneness.

Sprinkle with the cheese.

about this recipe

It's like fajitas without the tortillas! This simple, pan-seared steak gets great flavor from a savory sauce...but best of all, it's topped with cheese. Steak just doesn't get any better!