En español | The secret to living longer might be found in East Patchogue, New York, where there's a little 1966 Volvo that has clocked more than 2.9 million miles, a Guinness world record.

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How can a car run for almost 50 years and still look as sharp as the day it rolled off the lot? The answer is simple: proper maintenance. If the tires wear out, they're replaced. If the oil needs changing, it's changed. Not surprisingly, maintenance is also the secret to a long and healthy life for humans. Think of your cells as antiaging mechanics. If you treat them right, by eating well and exercising, they will tune you up on a daily basis. If you don't take care of them, they will go on strike, and you will age faster. You're in the driver's seat. You have the power to slow down the aging process, and I have the plan. All you need is 24 hours!

6:00 a.m.

Do Yoga, Reduce Stress

I hope you had a good night’s sleep, because we’re starting early. I begin each day with a seven-minute yoga-inspired exercise routine (see below video). By the time you’re 50, your heart has beaten about 2 billion times — a lot of wear and tear. Yoga can repair some of the damage by helping lower your heart rate. It also relaxes your blood vessels and reduces stress, which is especially important as you begin the day. (One recent study found there are 36 percent more heart attacks on Mondays — just when people are heading back to work — than there are on Sundays.) So start your day with yoga or a light exercise routine.

7:00 a.m.

Eat Breakfast, Look Younger

Now that you’re warmed up, let’s tackle a common complaint about getting older: wrinkles. Two substances — collagen and elastin — make up the supportive scaffolding beneath your skin, like a hammock. When you’re young, the scaffolding is intact, and your skin appears smooth. As you get older, though, the scaffolding starts to break down, like a hammock whose strings have been cut. Even worse, sugar in your bloodstream can latch onto these strings and tie them in a knot — blocking your cells from repairing them. The earlier you cut added sugar out of your diet, the better. Instead of a sugar-laden breakfast, start your day with oatmeal and eggs. Oatmeal’s low glycemic index raises your blood sugar levels more slowly, and the protein in eggs boosts your metabolism — a perfect combination that might ward off wrinkles and keep your weight in check.

Next: Snack on berries, help stave off cancer. »