Okay so you have applied your SPF, found the perfect spot, laid down your towel, and now you are just... lying there. Staring at the sky. Wondering how many minutes have passed (it has been two). Tanning sessions can feel like they last forever when you have nothing to do, and boredom is actually one of the biggest reasons people either cut their sessions short or stay out way too long because they lost track of time scrolling through TikTok. Neither of those is great for your glow.
The trick is to turn your tanning time into something you genuinely look forward to. When you have a go-to activity, you are way more likely to stick to your tanning routine consistently, and consistency is literally the number one factor in building a gorgeous, even tan. So here is a list of things to do while tanning that will keep you entertained, help the time fly, and make your sessions feel like self-care rather than a chore.
Listen to podcasts or audiobooks
This is honestly the best tanning companion. Pop in your earbuds, pick something good, and suddenly a 30-minute session feels like ten minutes. True crime, comedy, self-improvement, celebrity gossip, whatever you are into. Audiobooks work the same way. Some girls actually save their favorite podcast episodes specifically for tanning days so they have something to look forward to. Pro tip: download episodes before you go outside so you are not burning through your data or dealing with buffering.
If you want recommendations, anything that keeps you engaged enough that you are not constantly checking the time but not so intense that you forget to flip. Set a timer on your phone to remind you to rotate every 15 to 20 minutes, then get lost in whatever you are listening to.
Create a tanning playlist
Music just hits different when you are lying in the sun. Make a specific playlist for tanning. Think warm, summery, feel-good vibes. Something that makes you feel like you are on a beach vacation even if you are literally in your backyard. Updating your playlist between sessions gives you something to look forward to. Some ideas: tropical house, indie summer playlists, or those "golden hour" mixes on Spotify. The vibe matters.
Catch up on your phone (carefully)
Texting friends, scrolling Instagram, watching TikToks, replying to emails. Your phone is the obvious tanning companion and there is nothing wrong with that. But there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, screen glare in direct sunlight is brutal, so crank your brightness up or find a position where your phone is in the shade of your own shadow. Second, do not get so lost in your phone that you forget your timer. Set it, flip when it goes off, and reset. Easy.
Also, if you are using TanAI to track your session, your phone is already right there. The app tells you when to flip and when your session is done, so you can scroll guilt-free knowing you will not accidentally overdo it.
Journal or plan your week
Some girls use tanning time as a mini mindfulness session. Bring a notebook and journal, make to-do lists, plan your meals for the week, brain-dump whatever is on your mind. There is something about being outside in the warmth that makes you more creative and clearheaded. It is basically free therapy with a tan as a bonus. If journaling is not your thing, try doodling or sketching. Low pressure, high relaxation.
Read a book or magazine
Old school but still amazing. Physical books and magazines do not have screen glare issues, they do not run out of battery, and reading in the sun feels luxurious in a way that scrolling just does not. Grab whatever you have been meaning to read, a light summer novel, a fashion magazine, even a textbook if you are that girl. Bonus: reading while tanning makes you feel like the main character in a movie. Just make sure your SPF is applied so you are not squinting and getting forehead wrinkles.
Meditate or just breathe
If you want to go full zen mode, try a guided meditation while tanning. Apps like Headspace or Calm have sessions that are the perfect length for a tanning flip cycle. Close your eyes, focus on the warmth on your skin, listen to the sounds around you. Even if meditation is not normally your thing, there is something about lying in the sun that makes it way easier to relax and clear your head. Just do not fall asleep. Falling asleep in full sun is a fast track to a burn, and we are not about that.
Do a face mask or hair treatment
Multitasking queen energy. Apply a hydrating face mask before you go out (over your SPF, obviously) and let it soak in while you tan. Or put a deep conditioning treatment in your hair and let the warmth from the sun help it penetrate. By the time your session is done, your skin is glowing, your hair is soft, and you feel like you just left a spa. This is especially great for protecting your face while the rest of you tans.
Study or do homework
If you are a student, tanning time can double as study time. Flashcards, reading assignments, review notes. The change of environment can actually help you focus better than sitting at a desk. Fresh air plus vitamin D plus a tan plus getting your work done? That is efficiency. Just protect your notes from sunscreen-greasy fingers.
Snack and hydrate
Keep water and snacks nearby. Staying hydrated is essential for healthy tanning because dry, dehydrated skin tans unevenly and fades faster. Bring a big water bottle with ice, and if you want to boost your glow from the inside, snack on fruits with beta-carotene like mango, watermelon, or carrots. It sounds bougie but eating fruit in the sun genuinely feels like living your best life. Check out our tanning nutrition guide for more on foods that help your tan.
Things to avoid while tanning
Do not fall asleep. This is the biggest one. Napping in the sun sounds dreamy until you wake up looking like a lobster with weird tan lines from however you were lying. If you feel drowsy, go inside. Set an alarm as backup.
Do not skip your timer. Whatever you are doing, keep your flip timer running. Even exposure is the key to an even tan. Most people do 15 to 20 minutes per side depending on the UV index.
Do not forget to reapply SPF. Every two hours minimum, or sooner if you sweat a lot. Sunscreen does not stop you from tanning, it stops you from burning. Keep it within arm's reach.
Tanning does not have to be boring. With the right setup, it becomes one of those little rituals you genuinely enjoy. Grab your stuff, set your timer, and make the most of every session.
Turn tanning into a self-care ritual
Some of the most dedicated tanners treat their sessions as sacred self-care time. It is one of the few moments in your day where you genuinely have nothing to do except lie there and relax. Lean into that. Put your phone on do not disturb, apply a hydrating face mask, put on your favorite playlist, and just be present. The combination of warmth, fresh air, and deliberate relaxation is genuinely therapeutic. Some people find that regular tanning sessions become the highlight of their week, not because of the tan itself but because of the forced downtime in our always-connected world.
If you want to go deeper, try a gratitude practice during your session. Spend the first five minutes of each side thinking of three things you are grateful for. It sounds simple but pairing it with the warmth and relaxation of tanning makes it surprisingly effective. By the time your session is over, you feel mentally refreshed and physically glowing.
Productive activities for longer sessions
If you are the type who cannot just lie there doing nothing, use your tanning time productively. Language learning apps like Duolingo are perfect for tanning sessions because each lesson takes about five minutes, roughly a quarter of a typical side. Online courses, career development videos, or TED Talks turn passive tanning time into active learning time. Some people even take work calls during tanning sessions, though be mindful that direct sunlight can make you squint and strain, which is not great for your face.
For creative types, tanning time can be brainstorming time. Something about being outside in natural light seems to boost creativity. Keep a notes app open on your phone for capturing ideas that come to you. Writers, designers, and content creators often find that their best ideas come during unstructured outdoor time, and tanning provides exactly that.
Tracking your sessions for better results
While you are lying there, use the time to actually track your tanning progress. Take a photo in consistent lighting every week to compare your color development. Log your session length, the UV index, which products you used, and how your skin felt afterward. This data helps you optimize future sessions because you can see patterns in what works and what does not.
Use our tanning calculator before each session to know exactly how long to stay out based on today's UV conditions. And if you have not already, take our skin type quiz so your session recommendations are personalized to your skin. The combination of knowing your skin type and tracking your sessions takes tanning from random guessing to a deliberate process with consistent results.
