Lea Michele Opens Up About Her Close Group of Friends: 'It's So Important to Surround Yourself with Really Great People'

"Being unique is something that I've prided myself in and I also think that it's something that has helped me get where I am today," she told PEOPLE.

Photo: Stefanie Keenan/Getty

There are multiple reasons why Lea Michele has been all smiles lately – and her involvement with the Sun Chips Waves of Laughter campaign is just one of them.

“I’m so happy,” the actress, 29, tells PEOPLE while promoting the campaign. “I just went on an amazing trip right before I get back into work. I’m really just having the best summer. I’ve been working out a lot and spending time with my friends and family – really no complaints over here.”

The Scream Queens star has joined forces with Sun Chips in a campaign that celebrates the uniqueness of women while contributing to Step Up Women’s Network – a nonprofit devoted to helping girls from underserved communities become confident, college-bound and career-focused.

[IMAGE “1” “” “std” ] “Being unique is something that I’ve prided myself in and I also think that it’s something that has helped me get where I am today,” she says. “This is just been so fun and something I’m very passionate about. It’s a very easy and fun way to contribute to Step Up, which is an organization that is so near and dear to my heart as well as Sun Chips.”

The singer-actress, who recently started dating iZombie actor Robert Buckley, explained how essential it is to have a solid, good group of people in your life.

“I think it’s so important to surround yourself with really great people,” she says. “All of my girlfriends, we’re all so supportive of each other. We’re really strong women.”

In fact, Michele and former Glee costar Becca Tobin recently enjoyed a double date with their respective partners in Los Angeles.

The actress and Buckley, 35, are “getting to know each other,” a source close to Michele previously told PEOPLE. “They like each other.”

After splitting from Matthew Paetz in February after two years of dating, the actress admitted that life can throw you curve balls but there is a method to maintaining positivity.

“I have the best support system from my family,” she explained. “They’re so wonderful – and my friends, as well. I take really good care of myself. It’s important – you have to have a very strong circle of people around you and you have to take really good care of yourself. If you keep a really healthy and good balance lifestyle, it can help you through stressful work times or whatever life throws at you.”