Vitamin People: Rays of Light in Dark Times

We are living in harsh times—times of scarce light, and not only the electric kind. On top of the challenge of surviving the longest economic war in history, countless viruses sap our physical strength, conspiring with mental and emotional exhaustion to leave us “out of commission.” To make matters worse, we bid farewell (hopefully) to the hurricane season with a devastating natural phenomenon. So yes, we have 99 reasons to complain, protest against whoever comes to mind, or believe those in whom, out of desperation or conscious choice, we decide to trust. It is understandable, even inevitable, that sometimes we find no other outlet than to embitter our own lives—and, incidentally, the lives of others.

Then, there are people like my friend Leniuska, daughter of a mother from Río Cauto who, like so many others, lost everything to the cruelty of Hurricane Melissa. From Havana, I watched as tears filled the eyes of this always joyful Cuban woman, but also how she inspired nearly everyone around her to join in delivering some relief to her hometown—not only to her mother but also to her neighbors, her local council, and surrounding communities.

With no time to even check social media, she filled a large bus, a truck, and a car with all the contributions she could gather. She expressed heartfelt thanks to those who shared their children’s clothes, three sacks of powdered milk, thousands of pesos, or simply lent a hand in collecting donations. She knocked on every door with the same enthusiasm, managing to open nearly all of them as if wielding a mysterious, irresistible power: the power of vitamin people.

What Are “Vitamin People”?

In recent years, the term “vitamin person” has become popular to describe individuals who, simply by being present, inject us with energy, optimism, and calm. According to Google, the term was coined by Spanish psychiatrist Marian Rojas Estapé, highlighting the importance of cultivating a social circle that nurtures and motivates us rather than drains us.

A vitamin person acts as a positive catalyst in our lives. Their impact goes beyond simple cheerfulness; according to Dr. Rojas Estapé, there is a measurable chemical and emotional effect. Healthy connections with others can help regulate cortisol, the stress hormone, and even stimulate the release of oxytocin—the so-called “hormone of love and happiness.”

How to Recognize Vitamin People

They are distinguished by qualities that leave us feeling stronger, more capable, and uplifted after interacting with them. They inspire, encourage, and bring out the best in others.

Vitamin people listen without judgment, seek to understand your perspective, and respond thoughtfully to your emotional state. When facing a problem, they avoid complaining and drama, focusing instead on finding solutions. They maintain a “half-full glass” outlook—not by minimizing pain, but by seeking lessons, opportunities, and motivation to move forward.

A vitamin person rejoices sincerely in your achievements, celebrating your successes even more than you might. Envy and destructive criticism have no place in their vocabulary. They are your greatest cheerleader—not through flattery, but through trust in your potential and abilities to set and reach goals.

Surrounding ourselves with vitamin people is a strategic choice for mental health, just as important as striving to become one ourselves. Today, our lives unfold in a new dimension: social media. There, we find everything under the sun, and, of course, vitamin people—those who, despite facing their own hardships, choose not to dwell in misery but to toughen themselves without losing their tenderness, to join the team of doers, and to seek even a small ray of hope while inviting others to share it.

Equally present are what my teenage daughter would call energy vampires: individuals who, though unaffected personally by disasters like those in Río Cauto, remain “tormented,” incapable of mobilizing or celebrating good news. They search endlessly for reasons to resent or fabricate tragedy, and in doing so, drain themselves and others of vitality.

In this world, between those who repair, give, accompany, and vitaminize others’ spirits, each of us chooses whom to follow and what kind of person to be.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff