Dick Van Dyke Says This Healthy Habit Helped Him Live To 100

When it comes to remarkable human beings, actor Dick Van Dyke arguably ranks near the top of the list. Not only has the beloved entertainer had a career spanning nearly eight decades, but he is counted among the only 0.03% of Americans who currently have centenarian status (per Pew Research Center). 

With the attainment of great age, we hope that there is also wisdom, so it's perhaps not surprising that many journalists are seeking out Van Dyke's advice for how he has successfully lived so long. And, the still-spry thespian is happy to oblige. According to Van Dyke, the number one reason for his longevity comes down to his even temperament.

"I've always thought that anger and hate is one thing that eats up a person's insides," he told People (via The Independent). "And I never really was able to work up a feeling of hate. There were things I didn't like, people I don't like and disapprove of. But I never really was able to do a white heat kind of hate."

Among the seminal works done on the topic of emotion and longevity is a 2001 study found in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. In this longitudinal study, which included 687 Catholic nuns, the researchers found that those women who experienced positive emotions, such as happiness, lived longer than those who experienced more negative emotions, like anger.

According to Robert Levenson, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the University of California, Berkeley (via Equinox), it's not understood exactly why anger might shorten lifespan. However, it is known that this emotion can cause greater strain on the body by increasing blood pressure and weakening the immune system. "People who are angry or show a lot of hostility are more likely to experience heart attacks and get coronary artery disease," Levenson explained.

The American Psychological Society (APA) notes that there are multiple strategies people can use to help tame their anger. These include relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, visualization, or yoga. People can also do cognitive restructuring, which involves substituting exaggerated, dramatic thoughts with more rational ones. Additionally, they say it helps to frame one's thoughts as desires rather than demands in order to reduce frustration. Developing problem-solving and communication skills can also help with managing external triggers. Further, it helps to keep a sense of humor and practice self-care.

The APA adds that if your anger feels out of control or is impacting your relationships, it can be helpful to seek counseling to learn anger management strategies. They further emphasize that, although anger is sometimes unavoidable or even justified, you can learn to control your emotions and calm yourself.