We’ve all met that person who seems to light up a room. People are drawn to them like moths to a flame. Maybe it’s the way they carry themself, their laughter, or their eyes that seem totally focused and engaged in the moment. I’ve always noticed that this person has an expressive smile that is their secret that maybe they’ll let me in on. I have always wanted to know their secret. I’m moving closer to achieving the inner glow I want.
Being true to you involves simplifying your life and owning the values that shape it. It also involves cutting away what is you’ve outgrown. Most of the time, this process requires you to step outside of your normal habits (or your place in society). It can be challenging, uncomfortable, and rewarding work. How can we know what’s right for us when we’re step away from what others have told us is the correct way to go?
Be Aware of Your Breathing-The
quickest way to muffle your inner glow and sense of peace is to succumb to
stress. One natural, easy way to reduce anxiety and remind yourself to be
present is to simply become aware of your breathing. One quick exercise to help
get you there is called the Four-Part Breath, also known as Square Breath.
This is a great tool to re-center yourself again, and helps
combat physical and emotional stress. This technique can be practiced anywhere:
Close your eyes and visualize the four sides of a box. Breathe in for a count
of four, hold your breath for a count of four, exhale for a count of four and
then hold your breath at the bottom for a count of four. While you practice
this breathing exercise, visualize tracing a box with your mind’s eye as you
breathe. This will help keep you focused. Set a timer for two minutes, or
completing three rounds total to minimize your stress and calm yourself.
Embrace Positive Affirmation-One
of the hardest parts about being on the journey to living your best life is
figuring out what it is that you want to achieve throughout your lifetime.
We hear a lot about how a positive attitude can go a long way, but how does one
begin to practice this? Write yourself a sticky note at the end of each day
that says something like “You’ve got this!” and tape it to your computer.
Prefer to talk things out?
Schedule time on your calendar — whether it be early morning
or midday — to go somewhere quiet and remind yourself that yes, you can work
through even the most difficult of tasks. Record your words for those days when
you need an extra push. It can be difficult to visualize your goals, but once
you do, positive affirmations can bring you closer to achieving them. We’re all
too familiar with the feelings of fear and doubt. Through positive affirmations,
fear is driven away because you are replacing that fear with the acknowledgment
of your worth.
Fill the Energy Cup-Self-love is the most important
thing you can do to maintain your inner glow. Think of your available energy as
a cup full of water. You are always in an act of giving or receiving energy.
Each day, we are involved in activities that require us to give our energy away,
and drain the cup of water. The act of self-love gives us the time to refill
our energy bank by pouring water back into the cup. Involve yourself in actions
that will bring about these emotions on a daily basis.
Although there are many ways to show yourself self-love,
it’s important to remember that loving yourself simply means refreshing your
energy, which is needed to accomplish all that you do in a given day. Put on
your favorite music, grab your latest favorite read, or tune in to that podcast
you haven’t had time to finish, and lay on the couch in a pool of your softest
blankets (or soak in a fragrant bath). The important thing is that you relax
your mind and indulge in thoughts that make you genuinely happy. Close your
eyes and think of the last time you gut-laughed or felt completely at ease.
Summon that feeling and go from there.
Give Your Body a Reset Day-Just
as you need to take a day off of exercise, you need to give your body the fuel
and recovery time that it needs to push forward emotionally. You can do this by
cutting out the processed foods you eat, logging off of social media for a day to focus on
self-reflection, spending time in nature to just observe the beauty and magic
all around you, increasing your intake of water, and enclosing yourself in
water via a bath or shower. These are all ways that you can reset your body, and
take on life in a more balanced way.
Practice Gratitude-A gratitude practice is the act of
acknowledging the things in life that you are grateful for, either just by
noting them silently, saying them out loud, or journaling about them. Think
about three things you’re grateful for today. This will train your brain to be
on the lookout for new things to be thankful for. Then think of three things you
hope to be grateful for in the future. Say them to yourself in the present
tense as if they had already come true.
Experiencing more gratitude is easy to do and doesn’t take a
lot of time if you do it on a regular basis. It will improve your outlook and
make your days more enjoyable as you start to think positive thoughts. It’s
natural to focus on what’s going wrong in life. But where attention goes,
energy flows. The more you express gratitude for what’s positive in your life.
The more positivity you’ll feel and radiate lifting others around you as well.
Try Yoga-on-the-Go-If you have a moment, make like a
butterfly. The reclined butterfly is a great yoga posture to revive your mind
and body, ease stress, and decrease anxiety. Start or end the day with this
posture to help ease into your day or to get yourself ready for bed. Lie on
your back and place the soles of your feet together. Let your knees fall out
wide in a butterfly position. If this pose puts strain on the outside of your
hips, you can place pillows underneath your knees to ease the pressure. Place
one hand on your belly and one hand on your chest and practice a breathing
exercise.
“As we let our own light shine, we
unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” (Marianne Williamson)[i]
[i] Sources used:
· “6 Daily Tips for Finding Your Inner Glow “BY
Aly Walansky
·
“The Secret to
Lighting up a Room: Find Your Inner Glow” By Megan Gallagher
·
“What is inner glow? Definition of it?” by Yahoo
Answers
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