3 Powerful Secrets Behind Dick Van Dyke’s Amazing 100 Years
Dick Van Dyke turns 100 and shares his longevity secrets, from daily movement to optimism and strong family bonds that support healthy aging.
Today, Dick Van Dyke officially turns 100 years old. Born on December 13, 1925, the "Mary Poppins" actor took Hollywood by storm with his singing and dancing and became a legend, winning Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Awards.
Now, Van Dyke has earned a new title: centenarian. Throughout his life, the performer has shared the methods he's used to maintain good health.
"When you get to be 100, a lot of things don't work right," Van Dyke told The New York Times last month. But "sometimes I feel like I'm 15 again."
In his recent book, "100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist's Guide to a Happy Life," published last month, Van Dyke elaborates further on his secrets to longevity.
Here are three research-backed highlights from his routine that he credits for his 100 years of life.
How Dick Van Dyke stays active at 100, and his tips for a long, healthy life
1. He keeps his body moving
Even at 100 years old, Van Dyke goes to the gym three times a week, he told The New York Times. He sometimes dances while walking between machines, he said.
On his days off from the gym, he does yoga and stretching. Van Dyke said his doctors are amazed that he can still touch his toes.
Like Van Dyke, many Japanese centenarians — especially in the Blue Zone of Okinawa, Japan — start their mornings with exercise. They typically do a low-intensity workout broadcast on the radio, called Radio Taiso, which lasts about three minutes. This exercise also fosters a sense of community, as participants often do it with friends, colleagues, or family.
2. He has an optimistic outlook and doesn't shy away from opportunities that excite him.
“I’ve decided that people are born with a certain personality and a certain outlook, a certain way of thinking,” Van Dyke said in an interview with Al Roker for the TODAY show this November. “I try to look at the bright side of things.” He said in his interview that maintaining a playful spirit in his life brings him immense joy. Just last year, Van Dyke appeared in the music video for Coldplay's song "All My Love."
In the director's cut version of the video, Van Dyke explained how his career is tied to his desire to remain a child at heart. He said he is "one of the lucky ones who got to do for a living what I would do anyway."
Often, the happiest centenarians have jobs that bring them fulfillment and they don't retire. “Imagine how lucky I am. I get to do what I do—play and act silly,” he said.
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3. He values quality time with loved ones.
At the end of the "All My Love" music video, Van Dyke brings his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren into the frame to dance with him. This scene symbolizes how much he enjoys spending time with his loved ones.
He explained that Van Dyke is always finding ways to make his grandchildren and great-grandchildren enjoy spending time at his house so they will come back and visit him. He wants his backyard to look like a theme park, and he mentioned that he plans to install a zip line next. Van Dyke said, "Just hearing them yelling and screaming outside makes me so happy."
A decades-long study by Harvard researchers found that the key to happiness and longevity is social fitness, or maintaining healthy, long-lasting relationships.
As for his birthday plans today, given the momentous achievement of turning 100, Van Dyke's schedule is quite relaxed. Yet, it aligns perfectly with spending quality time.
His wife, Arlene Silver, told People last week, "He doesn't want to do anything. He just wants to sit in his room with me and watch Jeopardy! reruns."
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