Observational studies show that exercise, nutritional supplements and reducing psychological stress can help. Chronic high stress and smoking can lead to accelerated telomere shortening.

Exercise mitigates the effects of stress - and stress, we know, shortens telomeres. In fact, early studies indicate that stress reduction techniques like meditation help people maintain the length of their telomeres.

In 2004, results from a study that I worked on with colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco, linked chronic stress to shortening of telomeres.

There needs to be an adequate amount of exercise to help alleviate the amounts of stress. The American Heart Association recommends there be at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise done each day.

A lot of staff use the labyrinth as well, to relieve stress and get exercise.

People under stress often drink more than they otherwise would. It's the same thing for smoking -- people may smoke more, thinking it curbs stress, but it doesn't.