Today, Dick Van Dyke is officially 100 years old. Born on Dec. 13, 1925, the “Mary Poppins” actor took Hollywood by storm with his singing and dancing, and became an Emmy, Grammy and Tony award-winning legend.
Now, Van Dyke has earned a new title: centenarian. Over the course of his life, the performer has shared the practices he follows to stay in the best of health.
“When you reach 100, a lot of things don’t work too well,” 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 explores his secrets for longevity even further.
Here are three research-backed staples in 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 moves his body often
Even at 100, Van Dyke goes to the gym three times a week, he told the New York Times. When he makes his way to each machine, sometimes he dances as he walks, he said.
On his off days from the gym, he practices yoga and stretches. Van Dyke said his doctors are amazed at how he’s still able to touch his toes.
Similar to Van Dyke, many Japanese centenarians — particularly in the blue zone, Okinawa, Japan — start their mornings with exercise. Typically they do a low-intensity workout that airs on the radio, called radio taiso, which is about three minutes long.
The exercise also promotes a sense of community because participants tend to practice it alongside friends, colleagues or family.
2. He has an optimistic outlook and doesn’t turn down opportunities that excite him
“I’ve decided people are born with a certain personality and a certain outlook, a certain perspective,” Van Dyke said in a sit-down interview with Al Roker for the TODAY show this November. “I tend to look on the good side of things.”
Keeping a sense of playfulness in his life helps him experience a lot more fun, he said in his interview with The New York Times. Just last year, Van Dyke starred in Coldplay’s music video for the song “All My Love.”
In the Directors’ Cut version of the video, Van Dyke spoke about how his career aligned with his desire to remain a kid at heart. He said he’s “one of those lucky people who got to do for a living what I would have done anyway.”
Often, the happiest centenarians pursue jobs that are fulfilling to them and don’t retire. “Think how lucky I am,” he said. “I got to do what I do — play and act silly.”
3. He values quality time with loved ones
Towards the end of the “All My Love” music video, Van Dyke welcomes his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren into frame to dance with him. The scene is a symbol of just how much he treasures spending time with his loved ones.
Van Dyke is always looking for ways to get his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy their time at his house, so they want to come back and visit, he told The New York Times. He wants his backyard to resemble a theme park, and mentioned that he’s planning to add a zip line next.
“Just hearing them all out there squealing gives me such joy,” Van Dyke said.
A decades-long study conducted by researchers at Harvard found that the key to happiness and longevity is social fitness, or maintaining healthy, long-lasting interpersonal connections.
As far as his plans for his birthday today, Van Dyke’s itinerary is very relaxed when squared with the major accomplishment of turning 100. Still, it aligns with spending quality time.
“He doesn’t want to do anything,” his wife Arlene Silver told People last week. “He wants to be in his room watching Jeopardy! reruns with me.”
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