6 Habits that Will Guarantee You Will Never Get Sick

We all know the often quoted "big 4" but little practiced habits that are common knowledge to good health: exercise regularly, don't smoke, manage weight, and eat right. There is mounting evidence that easing stress has to be a priority to maintaining your health. Here are six habits that will help you battle the dreaded "Stress Monster" and promote good health.

1. Laugh and smile a lot! You can't be stressed and laugh at the same time. It has been shown that laughing releases some "feel good" hormones that will help you be more resistant to disease. Michael Irwin, MD, of the UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine has said, "At the very least, laughter reduces stress hormones, which we know have a bad effect on immunity. If you're the strong, silent type, a good belly laugh now and then may be especially important." In addition to the hormonal effect, hearty laughter provides an aerobic workout. Michael Miller, MD, from the University of Maryland's School of Medicine says, "15 minutes of laughter daily may help prevent a heart attack by expanding the lining of blood vessels to improve blood flow."

2. Owning pets can be especially helpful in reducing stress. The simple act of petting an animal has been shown to lower blood pressure and produce a calming, relaxing response. It has been found that dog owners over 50 have fewer illnesses and recover more quickly when they are sick than those people who do not own pets. Having a pet benefits you as far as exercising, also. As you know, dog owners must take their pets for a walk at least once a day and sometimes more than once.

3. "Sleep is a marker of a person's overall well-being," says Mary Amanda Dew, PhD. a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine. Poor sleep interferes with your metabolism, also. To help your sleep better, try staying up 30 minutes longer than normal or eat a small pre-bedtime snack of walnuts, turkey, milk, or yogurt which are rich in the amino acid tryptophan, a natural sleep inducer.