Averting stress has become essential to maintaining work-life balance as well as longevity. As easy as it is to be stressed in a fast-paced emotion-driven society, it is just as easy to be stress-free. Contrary to popular opinion, being stress-free is a collaborative effort between the mind, body, and the soul (spirit). These three facets of the human body work in tandem and can be sustained by applying the four basic principles below.

1. Change Your Mind

Being able to take your mind off of a circumstance by redirecting your focus proves to be one way to avert stress. Anger, frustration, depression, and even low self-esteem are emotions that can keep the mind both occupied and overwhelmed. When a negative emotion arises as a result of a tense situation, the most important thing to do is find a way to redirect your focus.

Some examples of ways to redirect your focus are: get involved in a sport, walk, run, swim, read, watch an inspirational movie or program, take a drive along a scenic route, get close to nature (especially water), laugh, or pray. Expressing or explaining a problem is another way to redirect your focus however, only if discussing the problem results in a feasible solution. Talk with someone who will give a balanced perspective of how to handle the situation or solve the problem.

2. Eat Healthy

While not having enough time is the accepted excuse for poor eating habits: fast foods, sweets, etc., people "on the go" have no choice but to make health a priority. Just like driving slower tames the mind, making time to have a home cooked meal forces active people to slow down. Slowing down makes the body and mind relax.

Making healthy eating a priority involves a gradual adjustment to the type and quantity of food consumed. Some standards to follow are noted below.

Reduce starch intake
Use 100% juice in lieu of sugared/sucrose drink
Increase water consumption
Consume fresh fruits instead of cake or candy
Serve whole grain/wheat breads when necessary
Bake, broil or boil foods instead of frying
Have vegetables with each meal (meals which consist of a starch and vegetable or meat and vegetable)
Healthy substitutes include sea salt for iodized salt, olive oil for butter, and cayenne pepper for black pepper

3. Exercise Regularly

In addition to frequent travel, technology encourages a sedentary versus active lifestyle. A 2001 survey printed in USA Todays "Snapshots" surmised that more than half of the U.S. population (68-82%) drove themselves to work while between 2 and 5% walked to work. A 2004 independent poll shows that a little more than 40% of those surveyed spend more than nine hours in front of a computer.

Not surprising, one of the best forms of stress relief is an activity many people lack the discipline to maintain: exercise. While long travel times to work, time constraints, and full schedules are diversions to keeping fit, none should be an excuse. Why? Incorporating exercise into your day increases circulation and decreases tension.

With a dose of diligence and one four letter word (w-a-l-k), you can develop a simple exercise regiment and avert stress. To support a healthy lifestyle and build stamina, start by walking...

To your mailbox
After eating a meal especially lunch and dinner
Up stairs instead of taking the elevator
Up the escalator instead of standing still
Instead of being dropped off at or parking near a front entrance

4. Plan Ahead

Planning ahead keeps you from being both overwhelmed and stressed out. Having a plan also helps you to create and manage priorities. According to business professor and author, Joey Reiman, A schedule or action plan gives you a sense of control and, that cuts stress in half.

The benefits of having a plan include the ability to budget for large expenses; decrease penalties, increase incentives, gain better interest rates or related travel and other discounts and perks. Having a plan leads to mapping out and measuring goals. At the very least, having a plan is a respectful way to avoid schedule conflicts or infringe on others time and resources.

While being spontaneous is encouraged, it should be the exception rather than the rule.

Want more ideas? The newly released book, Age Smart by Jeffrey Rosensweig and Betty Liu highlights "strategies for bringing together all the elements for a long, happy, fulfilling, and connected life". Seasoned leaders such as Dr. Johnetta Cole, Truett Cathy, Andrew Young, and Jimmy Carter share their insight on life and longevity. It is a must read. For more on Age smart, visit: www.agesmartbook.com.