Health & Wellness

Positivity Is a Muscle—Here’s How to Flex It

July 19, 2025

When the world feels heavy, it can be difficult to stay grounded. Caroline Baudino, host of Coming in Hot, shares practical advice to help you shift your focus from life’s daily stressors back to your inner power. Positivity is a muscle that you can build and learn to flex, especially on hard days—you have to train it consistently.

“Positivity is a real muscle that we have to train,” Baudino says. “The more you do it, the more it becomes a habit and a routine for you.”

Baudiono says it’s not about being fake or toxic positivity—nobody loves that. It’s about self-awareness, setting boundaries, and utilizing your ability to reframe challenging situations to become the best version of yourself. So, if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately or could use a little lightness, here are actionable tips on how to cultivate positivity like a muscle and reclaim your emotional space, staying in control.

Ask for help.

No one is perfect, and we all need love and support. Baudino says that many people struggle in life because they lack acknowledgement, affection, or a sense of well-being. “When you are in a negative headspace, sometimes, we do need a little help,” Baudino says. “There’s nothing wrong with it. No one can do everything, and we all need a little bit of support.”

Baudino says you have to ask for help. It starts with identifying the friend or friends who make you feel good. There’s camaraderie in sharing something with someone that makes you feel better; you get the insight, empathy, or information that you need. “We all have those friends who we tap into when we are not feeling our best,” Baudino explains. “Who is that for you? That’s who you tap into.”

Give someone a compliment.

Another tool for positivity is paying someone a simple compliment. By going out of your way to say, “You look beautiful today,” “Great smile,” or “Cute outfit,” you can change someone’s day. “There is something about being kind to others and lighting up someone’s day that is so empowering and makes you feel really good,” Baudino says. “The more that we share that love, compassion, and positivity, the more that you receive it. You get what you give.”

Baudino suggests leaving three positive compliments on social media every day. It doesn’t just have to be online, either—it can be a text to a friend or on the phone at work. “Positivity begets positivity,” she explains. “Go on any social media post and notice when somebody leaves a positive comment, you get a ton of positive comments after it. Once someone leaves a negative comment, it opens the door for a floodgate of negative comments.”

Smile at people.

Even if you have to force a smile, Baudino says to do it anyway. If you smile at someone, they will most likely smile back. It’s no surprise that “resting b****” is a real thing because, according to Baudino, it is standoffish, and it makes people uncomfortable. When you smile, you appear more welcoming and approachable.

If you have a more serious or stern resting face, Baudino encourages you to practice smiling. When it comes to training your positivity muscle, you have to fake it until you make it. “Train yourself,” she encourages. “Make it a habit. Try to remind yourself to put a smile on your face. It makes you feel better.”

When walking into a room, flip your mindset.

Next time you walk into a new space, try pointing out the good instead of the bad. Baudino advises applying the same mentality to life. You can choose to focus on the problems or the positives. When you enter any space or situation with positivity, it sets the stage and breaks down your defenses. “It’s easy to constantly look for the negative and what’s not working,” she adds. “It’s harder to take the time to put yourself in a good headspace and present positivity. It takes work, commitment, and practice.”

Reevaluate your media intake.

Choose positive and uplifting television to consume, especially before bed. Baudino explains that what you watch affects you. She recalls watching Euphoria, the hit drama that tackles the teenage landscape of substance-enhanced parties and anxiety-ridden life.

As a mom of teenagers, the show had a profound impact on her. “I remember the first season, and I had crippling anxiety watching it,” she recalls. “Not joking. Stress, sweating, stomach, but I didn’t stop watching it even though I really didn’t feel good.”

The key is to take control and choose shows that will set you up for success. “Instead of watching things that bring out the negative, fear, or confusion, watch positive things,” she says. “I like to watch something light and fun that puts me in a good mood and makes me laugh.”

Get dressed, show up, and be present.

Putting on a cute outfit or something that makes you feel good is a way to flex your positivity muscle. “When I am in the worst mood, those little happy tools work for me,” Baudino says. “Getting outside, putting my face in the sun, and expressing gratitude. Again, choose positivity. I have to choose to think that way.”

The power of getting up and getting dressed is that it shifts your mindset. “You are getting up and standing on your own two feet,” Baudiono says. “You are going to put something cute on because you’ve decided you are worth it, and you are not going to allow negativity to take over.”

She also swears by morning movement—whether it’s a hike, a lap around the block, or a HIIT class. “Sitting inside, staring at your phone, and doom scrolling is not going to make you feel good,” she adds. “Getting outside, moving your body, looking at the sun, hearing the birds, getting fresh air, and getting up and getting dressed—guaranteed medicine. It’ll make you feel better.”