In our culture, aging tends to be seen as something to be feared. Growing older leads to decay and decline —  or so we’re led to believe.

But what about all of the people who live long, healthy active lives into their 80s, 90s, or 100s? We so rarely hear about those people, but they’re all around you! And they’re proof that vibrant longevity is absolutely possible.

Age shouldn’t stop you from living a robust and passionate life, and if you take care of yourself, you can become a shining examples of longevity. Pursuing passions, engaging in healthy habits, and developing a positive attitude are all key factors for living a long, healthy, fulfilling life.

Passion Keeps Us Young:

Chinese runway model Deshun Wang looks decades younger than his 80-some-odd years. In his words: “When you think it’s too late, be careful you don’t let that be your excuse for giving up. No one can keep you from success, except yourself.”

Then there’s swing dancer Jean Veloz who’s in her 90s. She’s been dancing her entire life, and still gets a chill down her back when the music starts to play. “The word ‘can’t’ — you erase that from your mind. You don’t use that. You can. You CAN do it. You CAN do it,” she says.

86-year-old bodybuilder Ernestine Shepherd is the world’s oldest competitive bodybuilder. She trains women one-quarter of her age. “I really don’t feel like I’m 80 years old,” she said several years ago. “But I am! I want to keep training until my day is done.”

Ask any of these remarkable people, and they’ll tell you age isn’t an excuse when it comes to achieving your goals.

Taking Care of Your Temple, your Self:

Common sense would suggest that taking care of your body is an important part of staying healthy and aging gracefully.

Luckily, today there are more ways to treat yourself with Self-care than ever. You can eat a healthy, whole foods-based diet; exercise regularly; avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine or addictive substances like nicotine, and above all  —  avoid stress.

And, if you’re looking for easy ways to take care of your body and mind, the SOS Method’s unique proprietary system activates your Self-healing capabilities to not only diminish the modern stress that causes aging and illness – but genetic patterns passed down to us as well..

Just five minutes a day of SOS Method can put you on the path to healthier habits as well as more youthful bodies and minds. Cortisol, the stress hormone, can wreak havoc on your constitution, and practicing SOS Method reduces its effects. Stopping the cycle of genetic pain is essential for making better life choices – and clearing layers of trauma in your cells empowers you and the next generation to start fresh.

Staying Positive and Productive at Any Age:

In addition to taking care of your body and pursuing your passions, it’s important that you feel useful throughout our lives.

In the U.S., unfortunately, aging is generally seen as a negative experience, and older people are often ignored or undervalued. In other cultures, however, older individuals have inherent worth as part of a community.

Okinawa is a perfect example. The residents of this Japanese city are renowned for their good health and longevity. They have longer life expectancy and lower rates of common, age-related issues like heart disease, dementia, and several types of cancer.

Okinawans get lots of physical and mental exercise, and they eat diets rich in fruits and vegetables. But community members also feel a sense of belonging and purpose. All members of society are valued, regardless of age.

According to a Time magazine article on Okinawans: “Elderly women, for example, are considered the sacred keepers of a family’s bond with the ancestors, maintaining the family altars and responsible for organizing festivals to honor them.” What a great way to honor what Mental Health Pioneer, Marlise Karlin calls our Genetic Promise™ and not just focus on the ancestral pain passed down from our past.

So staying engaged, active, and interested in life is a huge part of ensuring longevity. Despite what some cultures may suggest, growing older doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience – and we can all be part of turning that negative belief around!

Our Genes Aren’t the Boss of Us:

Science suggests that only 20% to 30% of your life expectancy can be determined through your genes. The study of epigenetics has shown that you have more power than you realize over your own DNA.

Here’s how: the epigenome is like a switch on top of your genes that can be turned on, off, or mitigated; it impacts behavior traits and whether disease is passed onto future generations. It’s not the same as our fixed traits (like hair color)  —  the epigenome can actually change, meaning, lifestyle factors and experiences can actually affect how our genes express themselves. In the words of Science Daily, “Epigenetic mechanisms modulated by environmental cues such as diet, disease or our lifestyle take a major role in regulating the DNA by switching genes on and off.”

If you take care of yourself, maintain practices that clear cyclical patterns, pursue what excites you, and find fulfillment in your life, you can help to eliminate layers of these problematic genetic symptoms. In other words  —  even if your grandmother or mother only lived to be 50, that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to the same fate.

Within the next few decades, it’s predicted that the study of genetics will uncover how to extend your lifespan by more than 40 years. In the meantime, there’s a lot you can all do on your own to live a longer, healthier life. So, what are you waiting for?