Are you hitting the road for the New Year's holiday? Do your health a favor and leave aggressive driving habits at home. A recent study has revealed that people who are in the habit of driving aggressively may exhibit greater physiological sensitivity to driving stresses compared to people who don't drive aggressively. In the study, aggressive drivers tended to have tenser muscles and higher blood pressure when exposed to simulated driving tasks.

RealAge Benefit: Taking proper precautions when driving can make your RealAge as much as 3.4 years younger

Talent Show

If stress has you boxed in and strung out, try taking a little artistic license.

A creative hobby can be an effective method of stress reduction. You don't even have to be good at the hobby. Just find something you enjoy doing, whether it's writing stories, molding clay figures, or taking still-life photos, and schedule weekly quiet time to devote to your craft.

RealAge Benefit: Actively patrolling your health can make your RealAge as much as 12 years younger

Working Worries

If job stress follows you home at the end of the day, make an extra effort to check it at the door. The success of your relationship could hinge on it.

A recent study suggests work stress may be even more detrimental to your relationship than work exhaustion. Before you walk through the door, take a few minutes to employ a stress reduction technique, such as deep breathing or mindful meditation. Talking out your work worries with your partner also may help diffuse tensions.

RealAge Benefit: Long-term, loving relationships can make your RealAge as much as 6.5 years younger

A Message on Massage

Do you think of massage as just a relaxing indulgence? Science says it may be a boon to emotional health, too.

In a recent study of people with low back pain, massage appeared to confer benefits to both body and mind. People in the study who underwent massage therapy not only experienced less back pain, but they also experienced less depression and anxiety and enjoyed better sleep quality compared to people using non-massage forms of relaxation therapy.

RealAge Benefit: Taking care of your emotional health and well-being can make your RealAge up to 16 years younger.