When someone reaches 100, people rush to ask for “the secret.”
But there isn’t one, according to at least one person who’s about to hit the milestone next month.
Instead, actor-dancer Dick Van Dyke credits his longevity to a handful of steady habits — the same evidence-based behaviors we talk about all the time with clients who want to age well.
Van Dyke shares those routines and reflections in his new book, 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life. And after a century of dancing, laughing, and staying curious, he’s earned the right to give advice.
He keeps moving
Van Dyke still goes to the gym three times a week for circuit training, and on the in-between days he does yoga and stretching. “The doctors can’t believe it when I touch my toes,” he said in a recent interview. He even slips in a soft-shoe step now and then as he walks from one machine to the next.
We know that regular movement supports longevity, mobility, heart health, and cognitive performance. Van Dyke is the most joyful example you could ask for, a reminder that exercise isn’t just about muscles. It keeps the whole person stronger.
He keeps a sense of play
Van Dyke refuses to be the “grumpy old man.” He looks for moments to be silly: cracking jokes, singing, humming, and making toddlers laugh in the grocery line. “Playfulness gives you a sense of fun and freedom,” he said. Research agrees. A playful spirit lowers stress, improves well-being, and helps people bounce back from challenges.
He says yes
Curiosity is another habit. When someone invites him to try something, he usually accepts, whether it’s directing schoolchildren or dancing in a Coldplay video. “You really have to keep your mind open as you get older,” he writes. Being open to change is protective for emotional and brain health.
He strengthens social ties
Van Dyke is intentional about staying connected. He regularly gathers his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and he wants his backyard to feel like a theme park. He also sings with a group of younger men, which he says has “a rejuvenating effect.”
“I don’t have friends my age,” he joked. “So, I’m in the market for some 100-year-old friends.”
A growing club
The U.S. now has about 90,000 centenarians, according to census estimates. By 2050, experts expect that number to reach roughly 380,000. Worldwide, there are more than 600,000 people age 100+, and that global figure is rising quickly as life expectancy improves.
Genetics play a role, of course. But lifestyle habits — physical activity, social connection, curiosity, optimism — are powerful contributors. Van Dyke checks all the boxes.
The bottom line
Van Dyke admits that aging brings challenges. But he insists, “No one is a grumpy old man at heart. We all have the capacity for a joyful and purposeful life.”
Move often. Stay playful, curious, and connected. It’s not a secret. Just a great way to live.
Holly Kouvo is a personal trainer, functional aging specialist, senior fitness specialist, brain health trainer, writer, and speaker.