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With the weather warming up, that means that Hot Girl Summer is basically here. In case you’ve been living under a rock, Hot Girl Summer is a trend that has taken over social media (especially TikTok and Instagram). Women are encouraged by other women to be their hottest selves this spring. This can be achieved by working out, eating healthy, drinking lots of water, and creating self care rituals. I’m a granola girl at heart, so Hot Girl Summer for me means lots of hiking, camping, kayaking, star gazing, going to the farmer’s market, and pretty much any other outdoor adventure you can think of. When it’s not fire season here in Oregon, you can catch me outside. That’s my version of Hot Girl Summer.
No matter how you spend this spring, I think we should all focus on taking care of ourselves in a holistic way. Traditional “self care” has focused on the outward appearance: face masks, skin care routines, bubble baths, yoga, etc.. I think we should start focusing on healing holistically and internally, because your outward appearance is a direct reflection of how you are functioning from within. Conditions such as acne and weight gain are all related to how your body is functioning. Beauty starts from within, so if you want to level up your self care routine and take this Hot Girl Spring by storm, keep reading on for seven holistic habits to include in your daily routine.
Dry brushing
You can dry brush by using a boar bristle or bamboo brush. Though many holistic experts claim that dry brushing has benefits such as stimulating lymphatic drainage and reducing cellulite, there is little scientific evidence to support such claims. Though these benefits aren’t a for-sure thing, dry brushing does exfoliate the skin, leaving you with glowing, softer skin. Who wouldn’t want that for this hot girl spring?
EFT tapping
Full body tapping is a holistic practice where you tap your body gently with your fists all around your body, focusing on the areas where you hold the most tension in an effort to release the stress trapped in your body. EFT stands for emotional freedom techniques and can help relieve stress and anxiety. Similar to acupressure, body tapping stimulates the central nervous system, releasing helpful chemicals. Tapping is a great way to release any unwanted stress and can be done anywhere.
Daily gratitude
It’s no secret that gratitude can improve your life. When life gets tough, it’s easy to forget everything that we have to be grateful for. But, no matter where you are in life, there is always something that you can express gratitude for. It doesn’t have to be extravagant; it can be as simple as the sunshine or the cute dog you saw on the street. Gratitude is an easy way to shift your perspective. Expressing gratitude can take many forms: in your journal, through meditation, through thoughts, song, whatever your style is. There is always something to be grateful for, and getting it out into the universe will change your life.
Foam rolling
Foam rolling is no longer reserved for the most elite athletes; anyone can do it. Incorporating foam rolling into your routine has been proven to reduce muscle soreness, increase range of motion, and temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite. Here is some more information on the benefits of foam rolling. Some experts also believe that it stimulates lymphatic drainage. It allows the fluid buildup in the fascia to be broken. If you’re looking to get the benefits of lymphatic drainage, start from the bottom of your body and work your way up. You can even try using a textured roller, though some find it uncomfortable. Here is the link to the foam roller I use.
Drink tea in the morning
Nothing is more comforting than a warm cup of tea. Why not start your morning off with some? Recently, herbalism has become an obsession of mine. It’s a great addition to holistic hobbies. I find it so incredibly interesting that there are thousands of different herbs that can help virtually any symptom. For example, raspberry leaf can help PMS and cramps, nettle can help with allergy symptoms, and lavender can help stress and anxiety. That’s just three out of the thousands of different herbs, all of which have so many benefits. I highly encourage you to not only find some teas that you like, but definitely look into how you can use these herbs to manage some symptoms. As always, discuss any new herbal supplement with your physician.
Grounding
Grounding is the practice of connecting your bare skin to the earth. The electrical charges from the earth positively affect the body and provide many benefits. So far, it has been shown to boost immunity, improve heart health, reduce pain, and improve mood, though more research is needed. To practice grounding, you can lay down on the ground, walk barefoot, or submerge yourself in water. This is your sign to go outside this summer, because nature is healing.
Direct sunlight in the morning
Rather than going on your phone first thing in the morning, go outside instead and feel the warmth of the sun. Other than Vitamin D, direct sunlight provides immune support, heals skin conditions, and rejuvenates the skin (just make sure to wear SPF). In addition, getting direct sunlight in the morning can help you sleep better. Seeing the sun, especially first thing in the morning, keeps your circadian rhythm in sync, which then keeps you energized during the day and ready to sleep at night.
Conclusion
Gone are the days where Hot Girl Summer only entails blacking out and hooking up (but if that’s fun for you, go for it). Now, us women can go our own separate ways without caring about the scrutiny and judgment of others. We’re taking care of ourselves while experiencing the most amount of fun that we can. Staying healthy doesn’t have to mean sacrificing having fun. It’s all about balance. That’s the perfect Hot Girl Summer.
