Dick Van Dyke, at 99, shares the two habits he avoids to stay healthy longer

A gentle introduction to longevity

Dick Van Dyke nears his 100th birthday while still moving with lightness in his step and humor in his heart. He says he feels “really good for 100,” often claiming he feels “about 13.”

As fans reflect on a career spanning decades, Van Dyke’s secret turns out to be simpler than expected, a lasting attitude rather than extreme regimens. This slideshow explores what he believes truly helped him live long and joyfully.

The first habit he avoided

Van Dyke has long felt that anger “eats up a person’s insides,” draining joy and health over time.
He admitted that while there were many things and people he disapproved of, he never allowed himself to spiral into constant anger

That deliberate refusal to carry bitterness, he says, kept him emotionally and physically lighter as years passed.

The second habit he avoided

In the same breath, Van Dyke makes clear that he never “worked up a feeling of hate,” even when he disliked people or disapproved of actions. He said he avoided what he called “a white-heat kind of hate,” preferring calm disapproval over burning resentment.

That emotional steadiness, he believes, played a key role in helping him reach nearly 100 without “pain or discomfort.”

Why outlook matters more than discipline

Van Dyke describes himself as “rather lazy,” rejecting the idea that intense discipline or strict routines alone led to his longevity. Instead, he credits a “brighter outlook” and consistent good moods for helping him stay mentally and physically well.

He says he rarely wakes up in a bad mood, and that this lighthearted approach helped him avoid stress’s wear and tear over decades.

Embracing vitality even in old age

Approaching 100, Van Dyke still describes having “more energy than others,” and claims to wake with positivity rather than dread. He laughs that he feels like a teenager at heart, despite age catching up physically.

This youthful internal energy seems rooted in his choice to stay light, not bitter, guiding how he handles aging’s challenges.

The role of companionship and love

Van Dyke credits a major portion of his well-being to his relationship with his wife, whom he says keeps him grounded and joyful.

He has described her influence on him as preventing him from becoming “a hermetic grouch,” highlighting that love and support lightened his life’s load. That human connection, he believes, makes it easier to avoid bitterness and face each day with a smile.

Acceptance of aging and mortality

Rather than fearing death, Van Dyke accepts it calmly: “When you expire, you expire.” He reflects on a “wonderfully full and exciting life,” and feels no desire to cling to vanity or regret.

By letting go of anxiety about the end, he seems to protect his peace, a mindset that may contribute to both emotional and physical durability.

A legacy beyond fame, joy, and music

For Van Dyke, legacy isn’t about being remembered, it’s about the lasting joy his music and performances bring to generations. He hopes that as long as children continue singing songs from his films, a part of him lives on in their laughter and memories.

That desire to give happiness, rather than chase immortality, reflects a humble, generous outlook on life’s purpose.

The danger of holding grudges

Van Dyke has observed that his father carried chronic dissatisfaction and resentment, which he believes contributed to his earlier death. By contrast, Van Dyke consciously chose not to nurture grudges, seeing them as a heavy emotional burden.

He suggests that letting go of hate and anger can spare one’s inner self much wear and tear over decades.

Simple habits over extreme measures

Rather than promoting strict diets, fads, or drastic lifestyle overhauls, Van Dyke’s advice is surprisingly simple: keep joy, avoid hate, stay hopeful. He doesn’t hide behind complicated rules; his formula is rooted in emotional well-being and personal attitude.

This simplicity resonates because it feels achievable, a model of longevity based on kindness, calm, and modest living.

Acknowledge life’s ups and downs, gracefully

Even now, Van Dyke admits that with age comes some physical wear, but he doesn’t claim perfection. Yet he describes his current life as “wonderfully full and exciting,” choosing gratitude over complaint.

That acceptance of change, paired with a refusal to allow bitterness, underscores a mature, balanced approach to growing older.

The power of humor and joy every day

Throughout his life, Van Dyke has leaned on laughter, music, and a playful spirit, not as gimmicks, but as lifelines.

He believes that waking up without a bad mood, ready to enjoy simple pleasures, has kept him mentally young long past middle age. In his view, daily joy may be as potent as any health regimen.

If you love exploring the power of humor and joy every day, don’t miss how he embodies it in real life.

Lasting through love and light

After almost a century, Van Dyke’s secret to a long, happy life seems less about extremes and more about balance: love, lightness, and letting go of hate.

He reminds us that a calm heart and joyful spirit can help carry one through decades of change, loss, and time itself. If we choose laughter over anger, love over bitterness, we might just age with similar grace and dignity.

In this final thought, lasting through love and light, it’s clear that the right partnership can transform a lifetime, just like Dick Van Dyke credits his wife, Arlene Silver, for keeping him vibrant at 99.

How does his perspective resonate with you? Drop a like and let us know your feedback in the comments!

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.