If you have ever seen someone return from a long run or an exercise session at the gym and immediately down a chocolate muffin on the basis that they have “earned” the treat, you’ll know just how destructive such behavior can be.
However, although it is a terrible idea to act in such an extreme way, the fact remains that forming good habits, such as cutting down on sugary snacks, eating more healthy food or getting more exercise can be an incredibly draining experience and that allowing ourselves the occasional indulgence can make life significantly easier.
Many of the more popular diets in circulation include a number of “cheat” days where participants are able to eat whatever they want. While during the early days of such diets, those taking part will often indulge themselves on such days, their behavior generally levels off after a while. According to various studies, the act of giving ourselves treats can help boost our energy levels and lead to us feeling cared for which in turn makes it easier to maintain good habits. The key is to choose the right sort of treats.
Take Some Time For Yourself
Remember how it felt to be a child when the snow came, and you didn’t have to go to school? Recreate that feeling by booking a day off of work and keeping it all to yourself. All too often, we take time away from the office because we have urgent matters that need to be attended to. During such days we rarely get any time to ourselves and often end up feeling all the more exhausted when we return to work.
Take a day to yourself and think of it as a spa day in which you don’t have to worry about the expense of paying for a spa. Make yourself a breakfast in bed, read a book you have been meaning to crack open or take a long, hot bath and follow it up by slathering yourself with your favorite moisturizer.
If it’s too difficult for you to take a whole day off, treat yourself to the gift of five minutes in which you do absolutely nothing. Think of it as a form of mediation that does require you to sit cross-legged or chant. Simply take a few moments to clear your mind and plan what you will do next.
Retail Therapy
We all know how great it feels to shop, but we also know that on occasion, those positive feelings only last as long as it takes for the credit card statements to arrive. However, you don’t always need to break the bank in order to enjoy a shopping spree.
Leave all your plastic cards at home, take a specific amount of cash – however much you feel you are happy to spend – and then head to the nearest thrift store and see how much you can purchase. You can make a little game of it – seeing how far you can make your money go and how many items you can purchase in the time that you have.
By taking your time and knowing that you only have a limited amount of money to spend, you will be far more discerning about what you buy and are therefore more likely to end up with items that you truly desire. There is also always the chance you could end up with a fantastic bargain.
Another way to enjoy a touch of retail therapy without any chance of suffering from buyer’s regret is to go window shopping. Just remember to leave your cards at home again so that you don’t get tempted.
Seek Alternative Pastimes To Alcohol
Turning to a glass of wine to help us wind down at the end of the day might seem harmless enough, but over time such behavior can become habit forming. This should be avoided in the case of those who could develop a dependency. Those who feel as though they may have developed an addiction can turn to Arizona alcohol rehab for guidance and support.
Laughter, they say, is the best medicine and it’s also a great way to give yourself mood boost anytime, anywhere. Laughter is also infectious so take care of the people you choose to spend your time with. While we all have those friends who are going through various difficulties and need our support, this can be draining after a while. Spending time with someone who makes you laugh can be the perfect antidote. By splitting your time between the two, you can be there for the people who need you without losing too much of yourself in the process.
If you don’t have access to hilariously funny friends, there are plenty of great comic audio books, podcasts and comedy shows, many of which you can find online for free. Watch them alone or with friends and give yourself a little lift. As laughter reduces stress, a few minutes of watching a comedy sketch show can do wonders for your mood at the end of a hard day at the office.
Although funny friends are great, any friends will do. Getting out of the house and meeting up with people at social events where the primary activity is people talking together can be another fantastic treat. You’ll meet lots of interesting people, take part in great conversations and come away from experience with a new level of enthusiasm for life.
Change Your Sheets
The feeling of climbing into a bed with freshly laundered linens never gets old. If you want to have a boost at the very end of your day, change all of your bedding in the morning so can enjoy that delicious crisp, clean feeling when you return at the end of the day.
One of the great things about this treat is that it doesn’t cost anything, and it is one you are able to anticipate the pleasure of all day long. To make this treat especially effective, combine it with a long hot bath filled with delicious aromas, a little soft music, and some candles. You’ll know it’s time to get out when you’ve turned into a raisin.
