1. Tea off in the morningHot tea can slash your risk of kidney cancer by 15 percent, according to a review in the International Journal of Cancer.

2. Sleep smarterToo much sleep, or not enough of it, can kill you
. A British study found that getting more than 9 hours of sack time a night, or less than 6, doubles your risk of an early death from any cause. Aim for 7 to 8 hours a night.

3. Pop in your lenses post-showerSoaping up while wearing your contacts can expose your eyes to infection-causing waterborne microbes, say University of Illinois at Chicago researchers.

4. Drink wine, stay leanPolyphenols, the compounds found in red wine, help your body block fat absorption, an Israeli study found. Red-wine marinades work, too.

5. Lose the lintTaking 2 seconds to empty the lint trap in your clothes dryer can prevent you from being one of the 315 dryer-fire victims each year in the United States.

6. Check your neckAn American Journal of Medicine study found that a mildly underactive thyroid can boost your heart-disease risk by 65 percent. A quick blood test can assess your level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

7. Lean backParking your torso at a 90-degree angle strains your spine, say Scottish and Canadian researchers. Instead, give your chair the La-Z-Boy treatment and recline the seat back slightly. The ideal angle is 45 degrees off vertical.

8. Scent your air safelySome air fresheners contain phthalates, compounds that may disrupt hormone processes, Natural Resources Defense Council testing reveals.

9. Boost your defensesAn Archives of Internal Medicine review reports that 400 IU of vitamin D a day reduces your risk of an early death by 7 percent.

10. Skip the sprayUsing household spray cleaners just once a week increases your risk of an asthma attack by 76 percent, say Spanish researchers. Use wipes instead.

11. Steam your broccoliItalian researchers recently discovered that steaming broccoli increases its concentration of glucosinolates (compounds found to fight cancer) by 30 percent. Boiling actually lowers the levels.

12. Stretch it outGenes in your body linked to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity can be "turned on" if you sit for hours on end, reports a study in Diabetes. Hit the "off" button by taking hourly laps during TV, book, and Web sessions