One of the healthiest things one can do, writes Mary Coomber in the Sunday Times, is to go to church. According to the National Institute for Health Research, American church-goers enjoy a lower mortality rate than Sunday sleep-ins -- 50 percent fewer deaths from heart attack, lower blood pressure, and half as many suicides.

Scientists seeking a non-supernatural explanation suggest that the comfort, hope and social support provided by congregational worship account for the good news. Psychologist David Weeks of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital suspects that faith is the key.

Newsweek recently reported that church-going especially strengthens the lives of at-risk youth. For example, the single greatest factor determining whether black urban youth achieve success rather than drifting into drugs, crime and promiscuity is church attendance. Active membership in a church prevails over economic poverty and family instability in creating a good citizen who can look forward to a long, rewarding life.

Continuing the good news about youth and church-going, a UCLA survey reveals that 72 percent of the nation's college freshmen volunteered their time last year to help the needy in their communities -- most of them through their churches.

In addition, here are the non-spiritual keys to a longer life proclaimed by the Times:

1. Drink tea. You would expect this from the British, but the research showing tea's ability to lower blood pressure and cholesterol actually comes from Japanese and Norwegian scientists. Apparently any kind of non-herbal tea will do.

2. Sleep more and laugh more. People with chronic sleep problems have a higher mortality rate, whereas those who get a good night's rest suffer fewer illnesses. People who cultivate laughter heal faster and feel better.

3. Take cold showers. Brrr! But research in England and Germany confirm that the chill enhances resistance to colds, boosts immunity and fertility, and reduces the risk of heart attack.

4. Drink something red. The British Medical Journal reports that red wine is highest in antioxidants, but acknowledges that the same value can be achieved by drinking red grape juice.

5. Eat less and exercise moderately. On the island of Okinawa, where residents eat 20 percent less than other Japanese, the age-related death rate is 60 percent lower. As for exercise, 30 minutes of moderate sustained activity five times a week increases life expectancy.

6. Get a pet and get married. Pet owners have lower stress, cholesterol and blood pressure, and see their doctors less often. While you're at it, get a spouse as well. The single and divorced have the highest chance of contracting disease and dying from it.