Got a Minute?

By Laurie McLaughlin; Additional reporting by Kathleen Pennepacker

Ratchet up points for healthy behavior with these 60-second fixes

Add up all the things you're supposed to do every day to stay healthy (the sleeping, the sweating, the veggie steaming, the Sudoku­solving) and it can feel like a full-time job. But studies show you can reap major body benefits--whether you double the calories you burn in a workout or reduce your risk of cancer--in 60 seconds or less. That should leave plenty of time for Netflix, YouTube, Zappos… You know, the important stuff.

When you're at the drugstore

The change: read the fine print on sunscreen labels
The benefit: Better SPF protection. A recent test of sunscreen products found that 83 percent of them don't provide adequate sun protection. To guard against both UVA and UVB rays, look for products that contain zinc (or zinc oxide) and titanium (or titanium dioxide).

On your way home from work

The change: Stop by the florist
The benefit: Less grouchiness the next morning. New research from Harvard University shows that even people who say they're not "morning people" report feeling happier and more energetic after looking at flowers first thing in the a.m.

When you first get to work

The change: Check out a funny website
The benefit: Fewer colds. Instead of starting your day with office e-mail, try a gutbuster from a site like Will Ferrell and co.'s funnyordie.com. Research suggests that a moment of mirth increases the body's secretion of immune-boosting growth hormones and endorphins.

When you skin your knee

The change: Dab some honey on it
The benefit: Fewer Band-aids required. A study in the International Journal of Clinical Practice shows that natural disinfectants in honey can speed healing, reduce the risk of infection, and soothe pain. Just apply a thin layer over small cuts and scrapes.

When you're having your annual check-up

The change: Tackle the tough stuff first
The benefit: A better relationship with your doctor. Research shows that patients who bring up difficult issues at the start of an appointment are more likely to be satisfied with the visit and to adhere to their M.D.'s recommendations.

When you want a snack

The change: Pop pistachios
The benefit: improved cholesterol levels. In research at the Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls church, Virginia, people who ate two to three ounces of unsalted pistachios a day for four weeks raised their HDL cholesterol (the good kind) by 6 percent. Buy them pre-shelled to save your nails, too.

During a DIY Pedi

The change: Examine your feet
The benefit: Early skin-cancer detection. Melanoma can develop even in places that don't see much sun. The three most common on the feet: the soles, between the toes, and around or under the toenails. See a doc if you notice spots that are new or asymmetrical or that change in size, color, or thickness.