Be like Betty White: 9 ways to live a better life

ByBrandon de Hoyos KTRK logo
Betty White celebrates her 95th birthday
The key to long life is to stay positive, Betty White says

When you have lived as long as Betty White, you learn a thing or two.

The comedic staple known for "The Golden Girls," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," and "Hot in Cleveland" is celebrating a long and bountiful life, blowing out 95 birthday candles today.

PHOTOS: Celebrating Betty White's 95th birthday

1 of 19
Actress Betty White with Ted Knight at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Sept. 13, 1981. (AP Photo/Randy Rasmussen)
ASSOCIATED PRESS

If you're viewing on our abc7NY news app, tap on the photo above to see more images.

But what does it take to live 95 years and still maintain the joy and grace that Betty radiates?

Here are nine things you'll want to remember if you want to be like Betty White:

Attitude goes a long way

"It's your outlook on life that counts," White said, adding, "If you take yourself lightly and don't take yourself too seriously, pretty soon you can find the humor in our everyday lives."

White considers herself a 'cockeyed optimist' and that a long life is directly related to accentuating the positive instead of focusing on the negative.

Don't take things for granted

Betty White thinks many people "have a tendency to complain rather than celebrating who we are."

Directly related to the first thing on our list, White said when we talk negativity and forget what is going right in our lives, we are unable to receive more good things, like love and success.

Negativity consumes

Also related, Betty White believes we should consciously choose joy every day.

"Anger tears me up inside... My own... or anyone else's," she said.

RELATED: Man starts GoFundMe to protect Betty White

Man starts GoFundMe account to 'protect Betty White from 2016.'

If you don't have a passion, get one

We all have to work to live, but we shouldn't live to work. In fact, White suggests finding hobbies linked to what you're passionate about.

White said she stayed in show business to "pay for my animal business."

The philanthropist and animal rights activist dreamt as a child of becoming a zookeeper, but grew instead to become the "luckiest broad on two feet," dividing her time between acting and working with the Los Angeles Zoo the last 45 years.

"You can't ask for better than two things you love the most," White said.

Know a woman's worth

Whether you are a woman or you love one, you should remember that she's more than just flesh and bone, White said.

"A lady likes to be complimented on her looks, her eyes, her figure," she said. "But the personality comments are much appreciated."

Remember age is just a number

As a woman nearing 100 years, White said "older women still have a full life," but only if they choose to have one.

White said mental attitude plays a huge part in the aging process, with some people expressing worry and concern about getting older as early as high school.

"Don't try to be young. Just open your mind," White said. "Stay interested in stuff. There are so many things I won't live long enough to find out about, but I'm still curious about them."

White said she keeps her mind sharp by playing crossword puzzles.

Enjoy your cheat days

"Wendy Malick and Valerie Bertinelli make fun of me," White said, of her "Hot in Cleveland" co-stars, "but I take care of my health, I don't abuse it."

Still, White said you have to remember to live a little.

Her favorite junk foods are hot dogs, potato chips, French fries, and red vines.

Real men practice chivalry

Chivalry might be fast disappearing, but it goes a long way, White reminds gentlemen everywhere.

"If you're walking with your lady on the sidewalk, I still like to see a man walking street-side, to protect the lady from traffic," she said. "I grew up with that, and I hate to see something like that get lost. I still like to see that a man opens the door"

Don't forget to laugh

Finally, and most importantly, make laughter a priority every single day, White said.

"I like bawdy humor," White said, adding, "I love bawdy humor, but not dirty humor."