BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – With so many things uncertain in the world right now, many people are looking to control what they can, including their own well-being.

“It’s not about what’s going on in the world. It’s not about genetics. Our health, our immunity, our longevity, it all boils down to our habits.”

Dr. Kien Vuu, as assistant clinical professor at UCLA and best-selling author of How to Thrive to 105, aims to help people live longer and healthier lives.

He gets inspiration from those like Baton Rouge native Julia Hawkins, who at 103 years old, set records in the 2019 National Senior games.

“All she does is focus on what she can do every day. If we focus on our actions, not the outcome, then we’ll get the outcome we want even sooner.”

Vuu’s reccomended healthy habits include physical goals like proper sleep, nutrition and movement.

“Making sure you get 7-9 hours of good quality sleep every night. Eating whole nutritious foods, getting rid of the sugar and processed foods, and just making sure you’re up moving all the time. If you are sitting at a desk, get up and move. Making sure you’re moving every day.”

Trying to limit stress and keeping emotions in check is also key.

“You know emotions like fear, anger, hate, all those emotions affect our immune system and increases inflammation, leaving us susceptible to chronic disease. But emotions of love, gratitude, connection, all those actions are healing and ant-aging medicines.”

Other healthy habits include having a positive mindet, building relationships through community and having a true sense of purpose.

“Having a deep sense of purpose actually makes the average American live about seven years longer. You lower the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke. And if you end up in the hospital you spend fewer days because of that deep sense of purpose. Having that sense of purpose also has molecular changes for your DNA to help you live longer, t’s kinda like your body rewarding you for having a purpose.”