When is the last time you heard yourself say, “I am getting old”? I know I say it whenever I forget something or hear my bones creak. As we age, we tend to forget what it was like to have youthful energy.
Recently I followed a 21-day meditation with Deepak Chopra and the Chopra Center Meditation group. The name of the 21-day course was Energize your life: Secrets for a Youthful Spirit. In their 21-day meditation series, Deepak talks about the day’s focus and then leads a meditation. They also provide journal questions, which is what I like to do during the meditation music. (Remember my meditation post 🙂 ) Every day, I learned something new about myself or had an “aha” moment. I felt like I could get my youthful energy back. I want you to get your youthful energy back too.
Do you remember what youthful energy is?
Youthful energy is defined as having a youth’s appearance, spirit, or energy. It is belonging to, relating to, or characteristic of youthful optimism. Energy flows in and out of us constantly – it is ageless. We have all of the energy we need and want; we need to tap into it. Another word for youthful energy is enthusiasm (from the Greek, “filled with God”). Enthusiasm is an ongoing energy supply tapped into the flow of life itself. It is grounded in play, not work.
Why do we want youthful energy? We can compare many of these changes with ways to be a better person or healthier. Think about when you were young. We mostly just played and didn’t worry about much else! We ate when we were hungry, we ran around all of the time, we slept when we were tired, and we lived in the moment and found wonder in the smallest things. As adults, we have a “few” more responsibilities, but we can learn a lot from our youth.
A smart way to start a new year!
Here are my top 10 changes for more youthful energy
Make self-care a priority
Your well-being deserves to be at the top of the list—not somewhere at the bottom after everyone else’s needs are met. Eat, sleep, move, work, and play in ways that keep your life energy flowing. Notice where things feel stagnant or uninspiring. Is it time to add a little fun or creativity back in?
I catch myself sitting on the couch staring at the TV some nights. Sometimes that’s exactly what I need, but other times I wonder—did I move my body today, connect with my kids, or do something that filled me up? For me, writing, reading, painting, or walking the dog brings me back to life. What does that look like for you?
Discover your unique self
Don’t hand over your power. Be yourself—fully and unapologetically. Speak your truth, even when it feels uncomfortable. One of my biggest “aha” moments was realizing how often I held back instead of asking for what I wanted.
Remember the youthful energy you had as a teen when you boldly declared what you wanted for dinner or which friends you were hanging out with? Channel a little of that confidence now.
Reduce inflammation for lifelong energy
Inflammation is sneaky—it doesn’t just come from food, but also from stress and worry. Focus on whole, nourishing foods: colorful veggies, probiotics, and fiber. Slowly cut back on processed foods—chips, boxed dinners, fast food—that drain your energy.
And don’t forget: worry inflames your mind. It never changes the outcome, but it does sap your joy. Let it go, breathe into the present, and ask yourself: What can I do right now to make things better?
Reduce stress to increase energy
Stress isn’t just about what’s happening outside—it’s about the pressure we pile on ourselves. I’ve realized one of my biggest stressors is trying to please everyone. But here’s the truth: I can’t. Neither can you.
Take a look at your life: you likely have food, water, a bed to sleep in, and people who care about you. Most of the stress weighing you down is self-induced. Imagine how much lighter and more energized you’d feel if you let some of it go.
Move from surviving to thriving
Thriving is about more than just “getting by.” It’s about expanding your awareness and choosing fulfillment over fear. Face challenges with curiosity. If something isn’t working, try something new: reach out for help, research a fresh approach, and keep moving forward.
That willingness to keep trying is exactly what keeps us feeling youthful.
Optimizing physical energy
Optimizing physical energyYour body knows what it needs—are you listening? Balance activity and rest, and pay attention to your rhythms. If you’ve been sitting too long, get up and move, even if it’s just five minutes.
Exercise doesn’t have to be complicated. Twenty minutes of walking, stretching, or light cardio can renew your energy, strengthen your heart, and clear your head. Small steps add up.
Core Beliefs make us who we are
Your beliefs quietly shape every choice you make. Do you know what yours are? Journaling has helped me uncover so many of mine. For example, I grew up hearing “money doesn’t grow on trees”—and realized later how much that shaped my view of abundance.
Which beliefs are energizing you, and which ones are draining you? When you rewrite the ones that no longer serve you, you free up a fresh wave of youthful energy.
Transformation is about awareness
You can’t change what you won’t acknowledge. Where are you in denial—about your health, your happiness, your relationships? Awareness isn’t always comfortable, but it’s powerful.
Once you see the truth, you can take small, gentle steps toward transformation. Little by little, those steps become big changes.
The best way to be yourself
You don’t have to reinvent yourself to be “enough.” Often the truest version of you is the kindest, most open, most joyful part of yourself. Notice what lights you up, and do more of that.
Practice kindness. Smile. Listen deeply. Say yes to joy, and watch how it fuels your energy.
Creating a new world from the inside out
Want to make the world a better place? Start with you. Set your highest vision and live it. Be the person who radiates peace, compassion, and love.
Youthful energy is contagious—when you live it, you inspire others to do the same. That’s how real change happens: one person at a time, starting from within.
It’s possible to feel young again. Engage your own youthful spirit by discovering your unique self. Energize your life!
Which of these speaks to you most right now? If one or two really stand out, that’s probably where your energy is asking you to start.
“I make time to play and explore each day, approaching new experiences with the curiosity and openness of a child.” Deepak Chopra
