Top Tips for Creating a Well-Balanced Life

Time management. "Think about balancing your time between prime time, prep time, and play time," advises Plasker. "Prime time is the time you spend making a living. Play time is the time you spend letting go and having fun. Prep time is really important. That's the time you use to organize and plan, so that you can achieve the right balance between play and work."

Stress management. "Replace stressful behaviors with stress-reducing behaviors," says Ritvo. "Whether it's meditation, deep breathing, or listening to music, we all need to findactivities that calm us.” Adds Plasker, "Take a day of consciousness to do a personal inventory. Really look at the things that cause you stress and see if you can replace them with activities that relieve stress."

Exercise. Experts on well-being agree that exercise is an essential part of a balanced life. "To age well you need to work on endurance, strength, and structure," says Plasker. "Endurance comes from aerobic exercise, but you also need to include strength training and exercises that strengthen your core." Says Ritvo, "Exercise is essential for brain health. You need a well oxygenated brain for a happy, healthy life, and you get that from aerobic exercise."

Nutrition. Basic well-being requires a diet that includes a variety of healthy foods, limits calories and saturated fats, and promotes a healthy weight. "You can't go around fueling your body with junk food and expect to live a healthy, balanced life," warns Ritvo.

Support. An essential component of well-being and a balanced life is having supportive relationships. "We all need relationships. Studies even show that the bonding between women increases the secretion of oxytocin, which is a type of hormone that has a calming effect on the mind," says Ritvo.

More support. "I tell people that they need a surround sound system of support," says Plasker. He describes the need for multiple circles of support at work, at home, and at play: "You want to have many circles of support, so that as you age you won't be left alone. You also want to have multiple generations in your support circles. Include young people for their optimism and enthusiasm, and older people for their wisdom and experience."

Health care. Any plan for a balanced life must include proper health care. "In today's confusing health care environment you need a trusted advisor,” says Ritvo. “Find a health care provider you can work with. You also need to take some responsibility for your own care. There is plenty of information available, but you need to make the effort to educate yourself."