From Mary Poppins to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dick Van Dyke has lived an interesting life, yet nothing can really compare to turning 100. Having officially become a centenarian on December 13, Van Dyke admits that he does feel diminished both physically and emotionally; however, that doesn’t mean he’s not enjoying his healthspan,
Dick Van Dyke’s Guide to Turning 100
“When you reach 100, a lot of things don’t work too well, but sometimes I feel like I’m 15 again.”
Now, while genetics has definitely played a role in his long life, Van Dyke also adopts a few habits that have helped him live to a century, many of which he details in his new book, ‘100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life.’ With that, here are some ways to 100 while maintaining the same charisma and joy as Dick van Dyke.
1. Stay active
The benefits of exercise have been well-documented, with copious amounts of research proving that staying active can increase your chances of a longer and healthier life, which is exactly why Van Dyke works to stay active at all times.
In addition to going to the gym three days a week for circuit training, he cycles through sit-ups, lower-body machines, and upper-body work. He also enjoys a soft-shoe dance in between the machines, which is easier to do because he plays his favourite songs to keep his energy up.
“It’s the music that really gets me going. By the end of my workout, I’m in a sweaty rush… and my spirits are soaring.”
What’s more, Van Dyke makes sure to incorporate yoga and stretching in between gym days, which increases both flexibility and mobility for someone his age.
“The doctors can’t believe it when I touch my toes.”
2. Maintain your playful side
Considering the roles he’s known for (Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious has been recognized by the Oxford English Dictionary), this shouldn’t be too surprising. However, what may be surprising to learn is that one study revealed how playfulness increased life satisfaction and left one psychologically happier.
3. Keep pets
Owning three cats and a dog, Van Dyke shared that pets can lift your spirits, but that’s not all that they do.
A 2025 study found that pets make people a lot happier, so much so that it’s worth can be valued at £70,000 a year.
4. Sing away the blues
It would be hard to ask Van Dyke not to belt out a tune, as for him, doing so adds levity to his life.
“I hum, too,” he says. “It does everything for my mental health.”
Regardless of how well you can match Julie Andrews’ voice, an Oxford study has found that singing can lift your mood, support your cardiovascular health, and improve your breathing.
5. Always say yes
For Van Dyke, life is all about being open to new experiences, which means saying yes to things as often as he can, and this can take the form of him dancing in Coldplay’s “All My Love” video.
Van Dyke adds that having an open mind means not dwelling on the almost archaic past, revealing that his assistant uses non-binary pronouns. Now, while he admits that it took some getting used to, he’s now fully embraced it,
“You really do have to keep your mind open as you get older, especially to new ideas.”
6. Grow and maintain connections
Blue Zones are five locations across the globe inhabited by centenarians, such as Van Dyke, and one theme across each location is their prioritization of relationships and connections.
Growing older is great, but it also comes with some harsh realities, with Van Dyke revealing that “every single one of my dearest lifelong friends is gone, which feels just as lonely as it sounds”.
As such, he’s in the market for some centenarian-aged friends, while having sung in the a cappella group Vantastix, for the past 25 years alongside men who are all decades younger, which “has a rejuvenating effect,” Van Dyke reveals.
He also admits to constantly ‘scheming’ to get his grandchildren and great-grandchildren over to his house for some quality time.
7. Keep the romance alive
Growing older alone can’t be easy, which is why Van Dyke credits much of his survival to his wife Arlene, who is aged 54.
“Without question, our ongoing romance is the most important reason I have not withered away into a hermetic grouch.”
While she’s half his age, Van Dyke reveals that Arlene makes him feel “somewhere between two-thirds and three-quarters my age,” adding that she constantly finds new ways to keep him active, bright, hopeful, and needed.
For people in healthy relationships, being committed can mean improved health and better life satisfaction.
8. Keep the anger away
“I’ve always thought that anger is one thing that eats up a person’s insides – and hate.”
Unfortunately, chronic anger and hate aren’t just destructive to a functional, inclusive, and healthy society, but they can also impact cardiovascular health, increase inflammation, and even weaken one’s immune system.
Admitting that he has always struggled with ‘hate’, Van Dyke points out how destructive that style of emotion can be, sharing a personal anecdote about his father,
“My father was a person who was constantly upset by the state of things in his life and everything, and it did take him at 74 years old,” Van Dyke said, adding that not following that path has been one of the chief things that has kept him going.
9. Accept mortality
While the idea of ‘living forever’ sounds exciting, there’s a sense of peace and awareness that comes with accepting the reality of death, especially because it can motivate you to live more authentically and purposefully,
“I’m acutely aware that I could go any day now, but I don’t know why; it doesn’t concern me, I’m not afraid of it. I have that feeling, totally against anything intellectual, that I’m going to be alright.”
References
Brauer, K., Sophie, H. and Proyer, R.T. (2024). Playfulness in middle- and older age: testing associations with life satisfaction, character strengths, and flourishing. Aging & Mental Health, pp.1–10. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2024.2372471.
Gmeiner, M.W. and Gschwandtner, A. (2025). The Value of Pets: The Quantifiable Impact of Pets on Life Satisfaction. Social Indicators Research. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-025-03574-1.
Lawrence, E.M., Rogers, R.G., Zajacova, A. and Wadsworth, T. (2018). Marital Happiness, Marital Status, Health, and Longevity. Journal of Happiness Studies, 20(5), pp.1539–1561. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-0009-9.
McNeil, L. (2025). Dick Van Dyke ‘Feels Pretty Good for 100.’ Here’s Why He’s Optimistic About His Centennial Birthday (Exclusive). [online] People.com. Available at: https://people.com/dick-van-dyke-100-rules-for-living-to-100-cover-exclusive-11855632
The Times (2025). Dick Van Dyke at 100: my rules for a long, healthy, happy life. [online] Thetimes.com. Available at: https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/article/dick-van-dyke-at-100-my-secrets-for-a-long-and-healthy-life-kcr7j5s05
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