8 Realistic, Low-Lift Ways to Glow-Up Your Wellness Routine & Feel A Little Better in 2024

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It’s fair to say that we’ve had a rough couple of years. Now it’s New Years, and you’re either feeling optimistic that everything will get better, or upset that you can’t muster up that optimism in the face of so much… bleakness. It’s true that we don’t have much control over some of the more anxiety-inducing aspects of being alive these days (unrest in the Middle East, losing reproductive rights, COVID just being a part of our lives now), what we can do is focus on ourselves and how we can make our own lives, and the lives of those around us, a little better.

If this sounds like a big task, well, it is — but it’s a big task comprised of small steps that are actually manageable (we promise). Focusing on one at a time (or just one for the year) will make more of a difference than you might think — for your mental health, your physical health, your spiritual health, or all of the above. Think of it as the low-key, low-stakes glow-up you’ve been craving for the new year.

So if you’ve been looking for some small, realistic ways to up your self-care game, here are some tips from experts to help bring some pep in your step this year.

Find movement that you enjoy — and stick with it

“When you invest in your well-being and commit to yourself, your confidence shines through and you become a stronger person in other areas of your life,” Dale and Elizabeth of Sweats & The City, tell SheKnows. “That is the real glow!”

Not to mention there are endless physical and mental benefits to movement, including improved mood, sleep, strength, balance, and cardiovascular health, and decreased risk of disease, anxiety, and depression.

Two things are key when it comes to your workout routine, according to Dale and Elizabeth: consistency and doing something you enjoy.

“Firstly, you’ll feel both the mental and physical benefits of movement when you are consistent — with rest days, of course,” they explain. “Secondly, you won’t stick to anything you don’t enjoy, so finding a movement you love is key.”

Get some sunshine

Another “glow up” habit you should try, according to author and fitness expert Jennifer Cohen, is getting 10 minutes of morning sunlight exposure.

“This has so many benefits,” she tells SheKnows, including regulating your circadian rhythm (which helps with sleep), increasing your energy, improving mood, and combatting depression.

Add a quick facial massage to your nighttime routine

Dentist Dr. Angelique Freking recommends adding a facial massage to your daytime and nighttime skin care routine. “It feels especially amazing for people who have clenching or grinding (aka bruxism)-related jaw pain,” she tells SheKnows. “Literally just 30-60 seconds of massage while working in your moisturizer or serum makes an impact. Focus on your jawline, temples, and cheekbones where the muscles for chewing and clenching are attached.”

Not only do you get a temporary lift and glow to your complexion from stimulating blood flow, Freking says, it also eases the tension in those overused muscles and helps you to relax.

Book an acupuncture appointment  

Acupuncture is another relaxing modality you can add to your self-care routine.

“Acupuncture will help restore your body and mind, help ease pain, restore sleep, and improve your overall well being,” says Ani Baran, owner of NJ Acupuncture Center. She recommends acupuncture weekly or twice a week to start, and “then your acupuncturist can tailor your treatment practices to your unique needs.”

“To me, a glow-up doesn’t only mean tangible results physically (though you’ll certainly get those with these treatments) but also, inner confidence,” she says. “I know when I look my best I feel my best, and vice-versa. I also know I feel way more balanced when I know I have taken care of myself.”

Take a breath

It’s safe to say we could use a few deep breaths these days.

Deep breathing is such a powerful way to take care of yourself and reset your awareness and energy,” mental health advocate Yasmine Cheyenne tells SheKnows. “You can do it anywhere and it doesn’t have to follow any particular cadence — the goal is to breathe in a way that feels good to you.”

Cheyenne suggests deep breathing anywhere from 60 seconds to five minutes, or longer. “No matter how small the commitment, the outcome is incredibly powerful. When we breathe deeply, we’re prioritizing our wellness, we slow down, and we connect to ourselves.”

Try some yoga

If you haven’t committed to a yoga practice yet, this might be the year to truly master your downward dog.

“Yoga helps raise endorphins by connecting the mind and the body through the breath. Deep breathing really boosts the mood and helps you feel energized and relaxed at the same time,” Peloton meditation and yoga instructor Kristin McGee tells SheKnows.

Additional benefits include more flexibility and mobility which helps ease stress and tension. “Also more oxygen in the body helps one feel more alive and alert,” says McGee. “Don’t forget our skin is our largest organ. All that fresh oxygen definitely gives us a glow after yoga.”

Take a cold shower

It might sound… less than pleasant, but taking a cold shower has some physical and mental benefits that could be worth the few minutes of freezing.

“Take a three-minute cold shower every day,” says Cohen. “This is so good for inflammation, increasing circulation, boosting weight loss and blood circulation.” Some studies have also shown that cold showers can boost the immune system, while others have found they help to boost mood and reduce anxiety.

Find some quiet time to meditate and journal

Meditation is something anyone can do, anywhere, and it doesn’t require a big commitment – even just a few minutes a day can do wonders,” say Dale and Elizabeth, whose app ORRO offers a variety of meditation classes (as well as breathwork and reiki).

They also recommend journaling as another modality that’s easy to access and incorporate into your day. “Putting pen to paper and allowing a stream of thoughts, whether that be points of gratitude, positive affirmations or just thoughts as they come, can really provide a powerful shift. It’s also really nice to look back on your journal and see actual progress. We personally love the Future Self Journal and the Five Minute Journal.” You can also pair a plain journal or notebook with a few mindful journaling prompts.

Give your brain a little bit of extra love with our favorite mental health apps: