Rob Lowe Reveals the Secret to His 33-Year Marriage and the Unique ‘Hug’ That Keeps Him Calm and Joyful (EXCLUSIVE)

Rob Lowe has been one of Hollywood’s most handsome and talented stars since he first hit the scene as a member of the Brat Pack in the ’80s. Over the course of his long career, Lowe has had many an iconic role in film and TV, from ’80s classics like The Outsiders and St. Elmo’s Fire to popular shows like The West Wing, Brothers & Sisters and Parks and Recreation.

Now 60, Rob Lowe is keeping busy with his starring role in 9-1-1: Lone Star. He also stars in the Netflix comedy Unstable alongside his son, John Owen Lowe, and the show will air its second season on August 1.

On top of that, he has a hit podcast, Literally! with Rob Lowe, tours with his one-man show and is a longtime spokesperson for Atkins.

Lowe, who appears with his son on the cover of our latest issue, spoke to Woman’s World about his long relationship and how he stays happy and grateful.

Woman’s World: You’ve been married to makeup artist Sheryl Berkoff since 1991. What are your tips for making a relationship last?

Rob Lowe: I think it’s all about that first choice of who you pick… that’s half of it. I married my best friend, and that will always be there when other things ebb and flow. We’re also willing to work when we need to work on our relationship and give each other time and space and love, and not take each other for granted or try to change one another.

I’m Sheryl’s biggest fan and I’m still blown away by how her mind works, her energy, her capacity to help people and to give of herself. It’s one of the things I recognized in her from day one.

WW: What do you do together as a couple?

Rob Lowe: It’s changed over the years. We’re empty nesters now. We love playing with our dogs and walk them a lot. We talk a lot. We break down every day’s events together. We put in time with each other.

WW: Do you have any daily stresses?

Rob Lowe: That’s changed over the years. I think as you grow, you learn, you experience. I like to think I have less and less stress. In fact, I know I do. I don’t do well with too much time on my hands.

I always want to have something I’m working on or looking forward to doing, and when that has not been available to me historically, that can be stressful. But I’m way better about that now. In fact, I’ve been able to embrace the uncertainty of not knowing what’s next.

WW: When you do feel stress, what calms you down?

Rob Lowe: There are a couple things that I do. One is I meditate, and I’ve been doing Transcendental Meditation for the past two years now. It’s made a huge difference because it’s a quick thing that I can do almost anywhere.

Another thing is I get outside. Getting out in nature is huge for me. It’s probably the number one thing that I do with consistency every day. Luckily, there are a thousand things I enjoy — walking, hiking, golfing, surfing. Even if I play nine holes or go to the driving range, that’s great for me.

Being out in nature actually brings me peace and happiness. That could simply be walking among big mature trees. Every property I ever bought or developed has mature trees on it. They make me happy. The ocean is huge to me too — surfing in it, swimming in it, diving in it. It’s like a warm, calming embrace.

WW: How has your approach to handling stress changed over the years?

Rob Lowe: I’ve recently come to realize that all of the things that happen in life — both good and bad — are the reasons why we are here. It’s easy to know that and celebrate it when it’s good, but you also have to figure out a way to know what the stress is about.

WW: You’ve retained your youthfulness and energy, so besides continuing to look great, what motivates you to get out there and exercise?

Rob Lowe: I started training for a movie I did when I was in my early 20s called Youngblood, where I played a hockey player. I was so thin and had to put on some weight, so lifting weights helped. Since then, it’s been a part of my life to exercise, and it’s as integrated into my life as sleeping or eating — so much so that I have to force myself to take days off.

I realize I’m blessed, because other people dread having to do workout stuff and others don’t do it at all, and here I am. Not only do I workout all the time, but I enjoy it and get so much out of it.

WW: With such a full plate of projects, when do you find the time to unwind?

Rob Lowe: Oh gosh. I love my sleep. That is how I relax. I love it, I’m good at it. If sleep were an Olympic sport, I’d be a gold medalist. I need nine hours for sure. I can go on less if I have to wake up for shooting, but left to my own devices, a good solid nine is the minimum.

Sheryl might watch some TV at night before bed, but I do not. At night I’m winding down. I have a book of inspirational quotations on my nightstand that I read before and after I go to bed. They’re collected from the great minds, so it could be anybody from Churchill to JFK.

WW: Do you prefer the sunrise or the sunset?

Rob Lowe: I’m definitely a sunset person. It’s really good for you to look into the rising and the setting sun though, because it helps out your circadian rhythm, so I actually try to do that. Sunrises, sunsets, even looking at a campfire… it’s primal and it’s something in our DNA that is amazingly grounding.

I begin and end each day with a prayer, so my evening prayer before I go to sleep is a laundry list of things that went on in the day, which really is a gratitude list. Sometimes my lists are pretty spectacular, I must admit. I live both a small and big life at the same time.

It’s me, my health, my four dogs, my meals, my family and travel — really small. Then it gets very big in a heartbeat with parties and events.

WW: What is the last thing you learned about yourself?

Rob Lowe: It’s something I’m still trying to own. This is going to sound very Stuart Smalley from SNL — but I look to my feelings, and I don’t necessarily have to have a reason for them. Doggonit, I’m good enough!