Now that we’ve hit May, we can officially say that summer is just around the corner! What’s not to love about summer—warm weather, late sunsets, weekend BBQ’s and pool parties?! Whether you’re hitting up that pool party or taking a vacay on a tropical beach, it’s easy to let the bikini blues get the best of you. We’ve all been there—wondering what we’ll wear or how we’ll cover up because we don’t feel our best in that bikini even though we may have been training and eating right these last couple of months. So, I put together 3 #StrongGirl Tips you can incorporate into your lifestyle to feel great and rock that cute bikini with confidence!

water strong girl

  1. Drink Water

It always seems like drinking water is counter-intuitive when you feel bloated. And when there are Pina Colada’s and Margarita’s flowing, water is the last thing on your mind. Sounds basic, but it’s important to remember to drink water to stay hydrated if you’re soaking up the sun and possibly enjoying a cocktail. When you’re dehydrated, your body actually holds onto water, which causes you to bloat. So, by hydrating you can flush out the fluids your body’s been salvaging.

Also, high sodium and sugary foods cause bloating and gas, as well, so it’s best to skip salty finger foods and opt for a cocktail with less sugar if you are going to drink. It’s likely that “sugar-free” foods and drinks contain sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners, which can definitely cause bloating and stomach uneasiness, so go for natural sweeteners like stevia, if you need to sweeten things up. And, although fruit is healthy, certain fruits have more sugar than others, so be cognizant that that pineapple you just enjoyed may lead to bloating. Fruit infused water is a great way to stay hydrated with a little flavor and limited sugar!

wake up strong girl

  1. Get More Sleep

Studies show that when you’re running low on sleep, it negatively affects your mood, increases stress and totally messes with your hormones, like increased cortisol, which overtime can lead to chronic and inflammatory diseases. Lack of enough sleep can make you feel groggy, irritable, foggy and can also increase your appetite and make you crave those high-fat not so healthy for you foods.

So, while it’s tempting to stay up later in the summer, it’s best to be well-rested with enough sleep, so that you’re able to enjoy all of summer’s festivities to the max. By getting enough restful sleep, you’ll not only wake up feeling great, but you’ll also have better judgement and an elevated mood throughout the day, as well as a more positive perception of yourself and those around you. All of this is a recipe for increased confidence when you’re rocking your bikini in a social setting.

the-strong-movement-strong-girl-

  1. Lather Up

By now, we all know that we should wear sunscreen to prevent sun damage caused by UVA and UVB Rays, which can eventually lead to skin cancer and also premature aging—aka wrinkles and sun spots. And we can all agree that no one feels confident when they look like a lobster after baking in the sun all day. But, studies have shown that higher SPF sunscreen use can actually lead to more damage. But, how can that be? Well, it turns out that people who use a higher SPF sunscreen feel more protected and are less likely to reapply throughout the day and spend more time in the sun. This study found that “sun exposure of participants who used the SPF 30 sunscreen was, on average, 25% longer than that of participants who used the SPF 10 sunscreen.” With a higher SPF, it also takes longer to see damage on the skin than with a lower SPF, so you’re less likely to reapply or wait too long to do so.

While using a higher SPF may give you a false sense of protection and confidence, reapplying a broad spectrum SPF 30-50 every two hours will definitely give you an ego boost when you know you’re treating your skin and body right! I recommend COOLA’s line of sunscreen and after sun-lotion. For more sunscreen info, you can refer to the American Academy of Dermatology.

But, what about getting that healthy, sun-kissed glow. Of course, it’ll take longer to naturally tan if you’re reapplying sunscreen all-day. But, who’s to say you can’t give your skin a tanning boost with a gradual self-tanner? Self-tanners are safe for the skin and no sun is needed for them to work.

I apply self-tanner at night and in the morning after I shower. I love the summer glow it gives me without the sun damage. If you’re like me and haven’t seen the sun or sunbathed at all this year, self-tanner will give you a great base tan! There’s no need to feel self-conscious or pale when you wear your bikini for the first time this summer! I recommend both St. Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Body Moisturizer and also Neutrogena Build-A-Tan Gradual Sunless Tanning Lotion.

Lastly, personally, shopping for new cute bikinis that flatter my body and fit well always gets me excited and makes me more confident when I wear one for the first time. But I’d love to hear what else makes you feel bikini confident to strut your stuff! Share your thoughts in the comments below! xoxo