How to Feel Amazing

Co-authored by Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP

Last Updated: December 1, 2021

Want to feel amazing physically, mentally and emotionally? Start with Step 1 below for some great ideas on how you can achieve all three!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Feeling Physically Amazing

1
Take care of personal hygiene. Taking care of your body and having a little "me" time will help you to both look and feel amazing.
- Take a nice, long, hot shower. Make sure to thoroughly wash your hair with shampoo, and leave your conditioner in for 5 minutes. Wash, rinse, and repeat as many times as you desire.
- Try adding essential oils during your shower to turn it into a relaxing spa-like experience.^{[1]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
  Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
  Expert Interview. 29 November 2021.}
- Apply moisturizer to your face and, rub on a little deodorant, and apply a dab of perfume to your heart, neck, wrist, and back.
- Apply a face mask, give yourself a manicure or pedicure or apply a little make-up, if you like.
- Wear fresh, clean shirts, pants (or shorts), and socks. Spray air freshener into your shoes to make them smell fresh and clean.
- Floss, brush your teeth and rinse your mouth out with mouthwash.
2
Get some exercise. Nothing beats the natural high you get after a good workout, so do yourself a favor and get motivated to get moving!
- Go for a run or hike outdoors -- this will allow you to get some exercise while also enjoying the fresh air. Bring your camera with you in case you find come across any great photo ops!
- Even just taking a walk on your lunch break is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
  Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
  Expert Interview. 29 November 2021.}
- Go for a swim -- swimming is a great total body workout which will leave you feeling tired but refreshed. If you really want to feel invigorated, try swimming in the ocean!
- Take up a dance class -- dance is a great way to get your body moving and burn calories without even realizing it. Try hip-hop, jazz, salsa, ballet or Zumba -- whatever floats your boat!
- Try a team sport. Team sports are a great way to socialize and make new friends while also being physically active. Think about joining a volleyball, soccer or ultimate frisbee team in your local area.
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3
Eat healthily. When you eat poorly, your body can feel bloated, sluggish and out of energy. Eating healthily, on the other hand, gives you more energy, allows you to concentrate better and may even help you to slim down.
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables with every meal, eat lots of protein like turkey, chicken and lean beef, eat lots of oily fish and seafood such as salmon, tuna, sea bass, trout and oysters and eat plenty of healthy whole grains and cereals.
- Stay away from foods with a high sugar or fat content and from highly processed foods, as these are bad for your health. These kinds of foods cause a rapid spike in your blood sugar levels, followed by a crash.
- Try to control your portion sizes and eat only when you're hungry. However, a number of small, healthy snacks throughout the day can help to boost your metabolism and give you more energy.
- Cut down on sugary sodas (even the diet variety which are full of chemical sweeteners) and try to drink more water and green tea.
4
Get enough sleep. Sleep is an essential part of feeling good physically. A lack of sleep will leave you feeling tired, grumpy and out of energy -- pretty much the opposite of feeling amazing!
- Try to get a minimum of seven, if not eight hours sleep a night. Set yourself a strict bedtime and don't let yourself stay up too late reading, watching TV or wasting time on the internet.
- Do something relaxing before bed -- don't watch scary movies or play exciting video games, as these raise your heart rate and make it more difficult to sleep. Try reading a book, listening to gentle music or taking a relaxing bath instead.
- Make sure your bedroom is nice and dark, as light can trick your brain into thinking it's daytime and prevent you from falling asleep. Make your bed as comfortable as possible and use clean, fresh sheets.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Feeling Mentally Amazing

1
Read a book. Books are amazing objects filled with imagination and information, and reading is like exercise for your mind.
- Reading a book -- whether it's a work of fiction, a historical account or an encyclopedia -- will sharpen your mind, educate you and help you to feel smarter and more informed about the world.
2
Start learning a new language. Learning a new language is a fun endeavor and a really productive thing to do in your spare time.
- Try to focus on the conversational side of your new language, don't get too bogged down in grammar rules or learning tenses.
- Remember that having a conversation with a native speaker is a lot more rewarding than learning verb tables!
3
Do some math problems. If you haven't given your math skills any attention in a while, you could try searching online for some fun and challenging problems to solve.
- It may sound like a nerdy thing to do, but it will keep your mind sharp and is a lot more worthwhile than binge-watching Netflix!
4
Have a stimulating conversation. These days, people are so obsessed with messaging each other through phones, computers and tablets that they often forget the pleasures of simple conversation.
- Try turning off any technology, grabbing a cup of tea or coffee and having a good, old-fashioned chinwag, whether it's with your best friend, your grandmother or a complete stranger.
- Gaining another person's unique insight or perspective is always beneficial, regardless of the subject matter.
5
Travel. Travelling opens your eyes and exposes you to a range of new experiences and perspectives.
- Whether you choose to climb an active volcano in Central America, or zip around on a scooter in Rome, going to a new place and trying new things will be an unforgettable experience that's sure to make you feel amazing!

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Feeling Emotionally Amazing

1
Hang out with friends and family. When you're feeling a little down, the best thing you can do is to hang out with people who love you.
- It could be a group of your best friends, your significant other, your siblings or your parents -- as long as it's someone who knows you well, makes you laugh and can remind you how great you are!
- For instance, try inviting a friend to a spontaneous dinner.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
  Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
  Expert Interview. 29 November 2021.}
2
Spend time with animals. Spending time with animals (particularly cute baby animals!) can have a calming, relaxing effect on people, lifting their spirits and making them feel happy.
- So next time you're in need of an emotional boost, hang out with your dog, cat, bunny, horse, donkey or whatever animal you can get your hands on!
- Talk to them stroke, them or just be with them....you'll soon feel amazing.
3
Give someone a hug. Hugs are scientifically proven to make you feel happier, so try to give at least one or day. Although a quick, one-armed hug will do, a nice, tight, ten-second bear hug is even better, if you can manage it!
4
Write a journal entry. If you don't feel like talking to anyone, writing down your thoughts in a journal or diary can be extremely cathartic.
- You can burn the pages afterwards if you like -- it's the act of writing something down and getting it off your chest that counts.
5
Do a good deed. Doing a good deed will make you feel really good about yourself while also making someone else's day a little brighter.
- Buy coffee for the person behind you in line, leave an extra chocolate bar in the drawer of the vending machine or donate some money to charity.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you mentally feel better?

Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
Rebecca Tenzer is the owner and head clinician at Astute Counseling Services, a private counseling practice in Chicago, Illinois. With over 18 years of clinical and educational experience in the field of mental health, Rebecca specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic, trauma, grief, interpersonal relationships using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and other evidence-based practices. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology and Anthropology from DePauw University, a Master in Teaching (MAT) from Dominican University, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Chicago. Rebecca has served as a member of the AmeriCorps and is also a Professor of Psychology at the collegiate level. Rebecca is trained as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist (CGCS), a Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP). Rebecca is also a member of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Society of America and The National Association of Social Workers.

Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP

Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor

Expert Answer

Practice gratitude when having a cup of coffee, reach out to a friend mid-day for a quick laugh, have a spontaneous dinner with a friend, buy some shoes, say positive things to yourself every single day and celebrate small wins in life. There's lots of things you can do!
Question

What makes a person beautiful physically?

Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP
Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
Rebecca Tenzer is the owner and head clinician at Astute Counseling Services, a private counseling practice in Chicago, Illinois. With over 18 years of clinical and educational experience in the field of mental health, Rebecca specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic, trauma, grief, interpersonal relationships using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and other evidence-based practices. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology and Anthropology from DePauw University, a Master in Teaching (MAT) from Dominican University, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Chicago. Rebecca has served as a member of the AmeriCorps and is also a Professor of Psychology at the collegiate level. Rebecca is trained as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist (CGCS), a Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP). Rebecca is also a member of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Society of America and The National Association of Social Workers.

Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP

Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor

Expert Answer

This is a unique concept for each person and can look very different from what society makes us believe beauty really is. It’s important to look at core values: How do you see yourself? How does the world see you? What is your vision for the future?