No matter what phase of life one’s in, it’s safe to say that people usually strive for more. Whether you want to better your mindset, knowledge, mental health, or physical appearance, there is always room for improvement. In fact, your physical and mental states are one of the few things you have control over. So why not take advantage of that and give that glow-up a shot?
But what exactly is a glow-up, and what steps do you need to follow to become your best self? Let’s dive right into the fundamentals and learn how to glow up.
What Is Glow-Up?
In pop culture, people use the term glow up to describe a physical transformation. In other words, when somebody glows up, it means they have matured or become more attractive. However, the definition can extend beyond physical appearance and cover other aspects that you can improve upon. So, to put it simply, you can think of a glow-up as a mental, physical, and emotional transformation for the better.
How to Glow Up Physically and Mentally: 10 Ways
Although some people go through glow-ups naturally, others need to make a conscious effort to improve themselves. But you don’t have to worry if you find yourself in the latter category, as there are many things you can do to glow up. From drinking more water and improving your diet to meditating and staying away from social media, the following tips will help you become a better version of yourself.
Physically
-
Start Drinking More Water
It goes without saying that drinking enough water is the first step to improving your overall health. What’s more, water can also help you achieve your skin goals. Your skin can lose elasticity and plumpness without sufficient water, leading to dryness, flakiness, and sagging.
Besides helping your skin, increasing your water intake also improves your energy levels. That’s because water helps nutrients reach your cells and ensures that waste gets expelled. So, if you often experience fatigue, you can get more energized by staying hydrated.
Generally speaking, your goal should be to drink between four and six cups of water a day. While the number might seem low, it’s important to remember that your body extracts water from other things you drink and eat. Just avoid having too many caffeinated drinks, as they might cause more dehydration.
-
Adopt a Skincare Routine
Skincare routines are also a great way to glow up and improve your physical appearance. But keep in mind that while there are dozens of different routines that you can try, their effectiveness depends on your skin type. So first, figure out if you have a dry, sensitive, normal, or oily type of skin. And bear in mind that acne and eczema can affect your ideal routine.
Here’s a good morning skincare routine that works for most skin types:
• Rinse face with cold water
• Apply a toner
• Apply an antioxidant serum
• Use a moisturizer
• Apply face oil
• Use sunscreen
• Apply foundation or other base makeup
Remember that if you still struggle with finding your own routine, you can always seek out professional help.
-
Exercise More
Another way to accelerate your glow-up is to exercise regularly. Starting a workout routine can be intimidating, especially if you are not a big fan of gyms or fitness classes. Luckily, there are a lot of workout challenges that you can do at home to improve your physical appearance and confidence.
For instance, the 30-day full-body workout challenge focuses on squats, push-ups, and other easy-to-do exercises. Or, you could give jogging a try to improve your leg muscles and stamina. But no matter which workout routine you try, it will positively impact your physical appearance for sure. Additionally, working out can improve your mood and relieve anxiety and depression.
Therefore, you should exercise for at least 30 minutes a day to get that mental and physical glow-up.
-
Switch to a Healthy Diet
Making changes to your diet can have a huge impact on both your physical and mental health. So, instead of relying on junk food every day, why not give a few healthy recipes like Avocado Panzanella and Lemon Chicken a try?
Or, if you don’t want to change your diet completely, you can simply use more olive oil and add some extra veggies to your meals. But try not to overdo it, as some seemingly healthy choices like coconut oil can have devastating effects on your fat intake. It’s also important that you pay attention to whether you get enough vitamin B through meat, eggs, or dairy products. If you are a vegan, nutritional yeast is also a great way to up your vitamin consumption.
-
Improve Your Posture
Most people spend hours upon hours slumped over their phones or laptops. Over time, that can promote a variety of health problems, such as scoliosis and bulging discs. So make sure you take care of your back by avoiding uncomfortable positions and doing a couple of stretches for every 50 minutes of sitting at your desk. You’ll be surprised at how much good posture can improve your confidence.
Mentally
-
Meditate
Even though some people believe that meditation is totally bogus, it is one of the most popular ways to glow up mentally. However, only when you know how to meditate correctly and commit to it will you be able to see its benefits.
Speaking of benefits, meditation can help with stress management and self-awareness while also improving your mood, creativity, and imagination. Just be sure to check out online meditation guides to make the most of this process.
-
Take a Break From Social Media
Believe it or not, the media you consume can have devastating effects on your mental health and well-being. As a matter of fact, by simply scrolling through your feed, you’ll most likely come across people that are richer and better-looking than you.
As a result, you’ll start comparing yourself, allowing negative emotions like self-doubt to take over. If that’s a common occurrence, you might need to take a break from social media or start unfollowing people whose content only makes you feel bad about yourself.
-
Start a Journal
Developing a journaling habit can do wonders for your mental health and outlook. For starters, keeping a journal will help you focus on self-improvement while also allowing you to check your progress.
Furthermore, writing your negative and positive experiences down is a healthy way to get them out of your system. So, if you plan to get a head start on that mental glow-up, writing a journal is a no-brainer.
-
Practice Affirmations
Similar to meditation, affirmations are a controversial yet effective way to improve your well-being. They are basically positive statements that you write or say. Over time, these affirmations will change the way you think without you even thinking about it. Here are some daily positive affirmations to improve your self-esteem and motivation.
But it’s important to note that affirmations only work if you allow them to. In other words, you need to know what you are doing and fully believe in its power. With a bit of patience and exercise, you too can master the art of affirmations.
-
Get Some Sleep
Sleep is an essential part of mental wellness and can affect every aspect of your life. If you like to stay up way too late or get up super early, it might be time to shift your habits and prioritize sleep.
Unfortunately, breaking the habit can be hard, especially if you already have a habit of sleeping less than seven hours a night. But keep in mind that a well-rested mind is a happy and healthy mind, so don’t give up and make sure to improve your sleep schedule.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to glow up?
Usually, glowing up can take anywhere between one and five years. However, that depends on a variety of factors, including your genetic heritage and how much you take care of yourself. Some people can achieve a glow-up in less than 30 days, but that’s extremely rare. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t see any progress quickly, and always keep improving your habits.
2. What age do you normally glow up?
The glow-up process can start very slowly, and it isn’t uncommon for people to see some progress only during the later years of the process. But normally, you begin your glow-up period as early as sixth grade, even if you don’t notice it initially. And while it can end as early as the summer before your junior year, sometimes it can last well after your senior year.
3. Can you glow up naturally?
Even though some form of glow-up occurs naturally during puberty, it doesn’t always have immediate effects on people. In fact, you might need to make a conscious effort to improve your physical appearance and mental health.
Choose products that are clean and contain only natural ingredients. Spend time outside and soak up the sun to produce vitamin D. And remember always to find a reason to smile at least once a day. These will help you balance your life and give you the inner strength to accelerate the glow-up process.
