10 Ways to Radiate Positive Energy & Glow-up From Within

Good vibes Galore

Do you ever notice those people that seem to have a glow to them? You know those that always seem happy or ready for the day?

They may tell you about the bad news they received yesterday but you couldn’t tell by their emotions and mannerisms.

Here are a few tactics I’ve implemented to get my positivity flowing.

Mind Your Own Business and Let People be Happy

A wise person once said “Mind your business and drink your water”.

I remember when I was younger and I thought it was strange that women would wear makeup to the gym or come “overdressed” to a casual event. It’s embarrassing to say this right now but I just didn’t understand it.

At some point, I realized it was none of my business what other people (especially women) did to make themselves feel happy. I’m glad they are doing something that makes them feel good. This is an example of how giving off positive energy toward others exudes delightful vibes.

Be Genuinely Happy for Others’ Wins

Isn’t Happiness contagious? When a person is so excited about a new achievement, they just radiate joy. When they tell you about a new job, engagement, buying a home, etc., their elation cannot be contained. And it’s contagious, so we share in their joy!  We don’t respond with a bland empty voice, we light up and bask in their pleasure.

Exactly what is enthusiasm? We hear about it so often but we don’t think about its definition. Webster defines enthusiasm as “strong excitement of (or) feeling; something inspiring zeal or fervor”. Try to dig into these emotions because this can help you make positivity normal.

Compliment/ Strike up a Conversation With a Stranger

This one is hard for an introvert, but it is totally possible to be personable but still a bit shy. Start simple with a compliment. If you like another person’s shoes or style, for example, let them know. It makes them feel good. When you give a compliment, you are spreading joy and kindness to the receiver and as well as to yourself. Win/win.

Also learn to accept compliments. You deserve to have that giddy feeling too.

Smile (if you want to and not because some random dude told you to)

It is really annoying for a person to say “Smile!” when you don’t really want to. So, if you don’t want to smile, don’t do it.

However, if you want to smile but think you have nothing to smile about, here is my go-to list of happy thoughts:

• Adorable puppies (or insert your favorite baby animal here)
• Sunny days
• Delicious foods
• Favorite vacations
• Beach waves
• Memorable achievements

Sometimes just reminiscing about these images or past moments can put me on cloud nine.

Be Authentic

Clearly, this one is so on brand with the entire theme of this website. I am all about being true to yourself and genuine.

“While there is no universally agreed-upon definition of what authenticity means, researchers generally describe it as a state of self-awareness and self-determination that allows a person to act in ways that align with their core values, beliefs, and psychological needs” (Very Well Mind).

Witnessing somebody truly embrace their true self is such a breath of fresh air. If you don’t know who you really are, there are many religious and spiritual practices to utilize such as prayer, meditation, journaling, self-help books for clarification.

Most important of all is to follow your own path rather than going along with the crowd. It isn’t always easy to expose yourself. You are making yourself vulnerable and open to criticism if you go against the status quo by being unique.

Different scares some people.

James Hetfield of Metallica said “Everybody’s different. If everybody was the same, it would be boring as s—t”. It’s just so rock n’ roll.

Get Into the Sunshine if You Can

Okay, I know this sounds very naïve coming from a Californian. I know sunshine 365 days is not possible, even in the sunny California, or Florida, the Sunshine State. But if the sun is shining, get outdoors. Take a walk. Put on a hat and sunscreen and take a walk, sit down and listen to music, read.

Here are some other things you can do when the sun is just not shining.

• Still try to get a walk in; outdoor air and being in nature is revitalizing (if it’s raining, get an umbrella).
• If you cannot get outside, at least open some windows or even just blinds, and to get some natural light.
• It’s important to make sure you aren’t deficient in Vitamin D, so take supplements if you need to.
• Get a light that mimics the sun to trick your mind into thinking you’re in the sunshine.

Express Gratitude

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

-Oprah Winfrey

There are so many ways to express gratitude.

• Through communicating your actual thanks when receiving anything whether it be a coffee, words of comfort, something expensive or inexpensive, always show your gratitude with words.
• Feel your gratitude with your emotions. In order to literally appreciate gratitude in my being and soul, I have to really think about what I have or received, the big and small things. Break it down and savor it. Don’t treat it as a formality. So many times, we take the little things for granted, your car starting, plenty of food to eat, dancing with your children, a good night’s sleep, etc. We don’t truly appreciate all we have.
• Gratitude Journals are also great. There is something about writing down what is in our jumbled minds to actual paper. It feels much more impactful than using the Notes App. It’s so fulfilling to flip through the pages later and see what you’ve written in the past.

Play Music

One of my favorite songs ever is Chris Stapleton’s “Fire Away”. It is such a great song. However, when I was pregnant with my son, I watched the music video and just bawled my eyes out. It is a wonderful song but as I consider myself an empath, listening to this while trying to raise my vibes would not be a wise choice. It would be totally counterintuitive, so choose wisely.

So, try to find music that puts a smile on your face. I am a rocker girl at heart but “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield or a Jason Mraz song is kind of catchy too and makes me think of sunny days.

You can also find new songs and playlists on Spotify. They have endless selections. Some of my favorites are Peaceful Piano, Rock Instrumental Acoustic Covers, nature rain or wave sounds.

Other songs to explore are Mood Booster, Sunny Day, Happy Beats, Feelin’ Good, and so many more. You can even do a search with your favorite genre, such as Good Vibes Rock.

Be Kind – Be Compassionate

Everybody has a story. Everybody has a background. Everybody can change.

It is so important to understand this when we meet people that may be different from us.  It is not our job to prejudge people, everyone deserves a chance. 

Do not forget to be compassionate and kind to yourself. You count! According to mindful.org, there are several benefits to treating ourselves kindly.

“Individuals who are more self-compassionate tend to have greater happiness, life satisfaction and motivation, better relationships and physical health, and less anxiety and depression”.

“Compassion helps us connect with others, mend relationships, and move forward while fostering emotional intelligence and well-being.”

“Compassion is simply a kind, friendly presence in the face of what’s difficult.”

Be Optimistic

“Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out”.

-John Wooden

I understand there is so much BS that is thrown our way in every single person’s lives. Health, death, financial struggles just to name a few. It isn’t realistic to just say to look on the bright side in every situation.

That is unfair and ungenuine. However, try to look at the events in the larger scheme of things, if possible.

You may be thinking how much you really wanted that job or that apartment, but it didn’t happen. Allow yourself to feel your pain and sadness. At some point, when you are down, try to shift your mindset to some of these ideas:

• Perhaps there is something better out there for me. The Lord, The Universe, or whatever you believe in, has something better for you.
• On The Skinny Confidential podcast, I’ve heard Lauryn and Michael Bosstick say this on their rebound. When they miss out on an opportunity, they ask themselves: What’s next? What is the next step that will result in a win?

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I hope some of these mindful steps that I’ve incorporated allow your positive light to shine bright and radiate you from within, letting it spread to others.

“Her joyful spirit would bring laughter and happiness to anyone in her life with the same natural ease that a rose blooms and sheds its perfume.”

– Aleksandra Layland