Actor Dick Van Dyke Marks 100th Birthday, Shares Insights on Longevity and Wellness
Dick Van Dyke marked his 100th birthday on December 13, and the iconic actor shares surprisingly straightforward advice for achieving longevity. As per the Mary Poppins star, maintaining a positive outlook is essential—and science supports this notion.
A long and healthy life is influenced by numerous factors, including genetics and lifestyle decisions. Nevertheless, research increasingly demonstrates that mindset is significant as well. A notable example from the 1930s involved researchers who requested 678 young nuns, primarily in their early twenties, to compose brief autobiographies upon entering a convent. Decades later, scientists revisited those texts and compared them to the women’s health records. They discovered that the nuns who conveyed more positive sentiments in their writings lived an average of 10 years longer than those who expressed more negativity. This suggests that keeping a gratitude journal may do more than elevate your spirits in the moment—it could genuinely extend your lifespan.
Studies also indicate that persistent stress and anger are associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart conditions, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. However, for Van Dyke, dealing with those negative feelings was never a challenge. “I’ve always believed that anger consumes a person’s insides,” he remarked in a recent interview. “I was never truly able to cultivate feelings of hatred.” He went on to explain how his father was “constantly bothered” by circumstances in his life, resulting in his passing at the age of 74.
There is also a cellular explanation for how stress may reduce our lifespan, which relates to telomeres, the protective tips at the ends of our DNA. In healthy cells, telomeres remain long and intact but gradually diminish as we age. When they shorten excessively, cells encounter difficulties in repairing and renewing themselves, hastening the aging process. Research indicates that chronic stress accelerates this telomere reduction, suggesting that emotions like unresolved anger can literally age us more quickly. Stress-relief techniques such as meditation have been correlated with longer telomeres, suggesting that managing stress could contribute to a prolonged life.
Van Dyke noted that he feels “really good” at 100. He attributes part of this to his wife, Arlene Silver, for keeping him youthful. “She’s made me happy every day of my life, every single day. She’s a delight,” he shared, “She can motivate me to sing or dance and she bears so much responsibility … I’m just fortunate.” The cherished actor—who first graced television on Chance of a Lifetime in 1954—added, “Sometimes I have more energy than other days—but I never get up in a bad mood,” he stated. “I feel like I’m around 13.”
Dick Van Dyke celebrated his 100th birthday on December 13, and the legendary actor emphasizes that maintaining positivity has contributed to his longevity.
The iconic actor intends to continue living and achieve even more.