When summer gets close, my Instagram feed suddenly transforms into a parade of “that girl” aesthetics with green juices, 6 AM workouts, and picture-perfect morning routines.
And while I’m over here still trying to remember to take off my makeup before bed some nights, I’ve been thinking a lot about what a summer “glowup” actually means to me as a normal person whose work isn’t to create aesthetic content and has a full-time job.
So I’ve put together my favorite actually-doable summer glow up tips that don’t require you to transform into a completely different person overnight because the best kind of glow comes from feeling good in your own skin, not from forcing yourself into someone else’s idea of perfection.
source: canva
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Make friends with your water bottle
I know, I know—drinking water is literally the most basic advice ever. But there’s a reason it tops every wellness list! Aiming for 2-3 liters daily does wonders for your energy levels (goodbye, 3 PM slump) and your skin will thank you with that natural dewiness we’re all chasing with expensive highlighters.
Pro tip: If plain water bores you to tears, try infusing it with cucumber, mint, frozen berries, or anything that you like. I like to have a pretty BIG water bottle next to me all the time; it helps me always remember to drink.
Here are some water bottles that I recommend:
Hydracy Water Bottle with Time Market with Fruit Infuser Strainer
Hydro Flask in Different Sizes (love the handle to carry on my walks!)
Owala Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Straw
2. Put your thoughts on paper
There’s something magical about getting those swirling thoughts out of your head and onto paper. Even just five minutes of journaling in the morning or before bed can help clear mental clutter and boost your mood.
Try these simple prompts to get started:
- Three things I’m grateful for today
- Something that challenged me and what I learned
- One thing I did today that made me proud
3. Move your body in ways that feel good to you
While the internet might have you believing you need to be doing intense HIIT workouts daily, the truth is the best exercise is simply the one you’ll actually do consistently. Aim for 10,000 steps, sure, but don’t stress if you land closer to 7,000 some days.
From someone who tried weight lifting 5-6 times a week, running every day, just walking – I tried everything from being extreme to doing the bare minimum. Finding movement you genuinely enjoy is the BEST way to be consistent.
It could be dancing in your living room to Beyonce, gentle yoga flows, or finally trying that boxing class that intimidated you before. Or find a mix of what you enjoy.
For me, I’m currently sticking with two weight lifting sessions per week, one vinyasa yoga class, and one running day. And some weeks, I definitely don’t stick to that schedule.
The endorphin boost from moving will reflect in your mood, your posture, confidence, and yes – your summer glow.
4. Create a happy playlist and podcast list
Our brains are surprisingly susceptible to the content we consume. Curating a collection of uplifting podcasts, audiobooks, and songs can genuinely lift your mindset over time.
Some of my favorites:
- Podcasts: “The Girls Bathroom,” “Anything Goes With Emma Chamberlain,” and “MOOD With Lauren Elizabeth”
- Playlists: Create one filled with songs that make it impossible not to dance or sing along; mine is a weird mix between Latin songs and Disney songs.
5. The 80/20 food approach (that you can actually stick with)
Instead of crash diets that leave you hangry and miserable, try the sustainable 80/20 approach: roughly 80% nourishing whole foods that make your body feel good, and 20% whatever treats bring you joy.
Focus on adding rather than restricting: more colorful veggies, fruits, and proteins that keep your energy stable throughout the day.
The natural vitamins and antioxidants will boost your skin’s glow from within, while still leaving room for ice cream on hot summer nights (because life’s too short not to).
6. Morning sunlight reset
This might be the simplest yet most powerful hack on the list: get 10-15 minutes of morning sunlight within an hour of waking up.
According to Stanford neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman, this simple practice helps regulate your circadian rhythm, improves mood, and can even help you sleep better at night.
Plus, that natural vitamin D boost gives your skin a subtle radiance that no highlighter can truly replicate.
If you wake up at a time when the sun is still down or in a place where there is no sun, taking a few breaths in fresh air also helps with that morning reset.
7. Clear space, clear mind
Your environment affects your energy more than you might realize. Take one weekend afternoon to declutter a space that’s been bothering you—maybe your closet, bathroom cabinet, or even just your desk.
The psychological lift that comes from being in a space that feels good to you translates to how you carry yourself. Plus, organizing your skincare and makeup makes you more likely to actually use those products you invested in!
8. Surprise yourself with something unexpected
Let’s ditch the typical “learn something new” advice for a second. While I definitely love it, I love to be more specific, or have a reason behind learning something. Sometimes we tend to put ourselves into boxes and identify ourselves with a specific character that sticks for a lifetime.
Like “I’ve never been the girl who’s good at sports,” or “I’ve never been artistic”. Try picking up something that feels completely random or even out of character.
There’s this confidence boost that comes from the simple act of trying something out of character, or knowing that you’re not stuck in a box, and you can actually learn anything you want if you try.
Maybe it’s finally trying paddleboarding at that local lake, learning three chords on a ukulele just to play that one song you love, or experimenting with fermentation.
When we step outside our carefully curated identities, we remember how much bigger we are than the boxes we put ourselves in.
What are your favorite summer glow-up tips? I’d love to know in the comments!
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