I am currently pursing a master's degree in pastoral counseling. Several years ago, I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder.

Why You Should Treat Yourself

Sometimes life gets so busy, we don't take a moment to just stop and relax. Take a moment now to consider, how do you relax?

Some of us relax better while doing things with others, but some of us relax better when we're alone. Some enjoy being out of the house, while others prefer the comforts of home. Still others prefer nature, and others have to have air-conditioning. Period.

Regardless of how you relax, I hope this list gives you some ideas of how to sit back, relax, and treat yourself.

100 Ways to Treat Yourself

1. Make a cup of tea or coffee
2. Sign up for a subscription box (wine, crafts, etc.)
3. Buy a new outfit
4. Take a bubble bath
5. Go out for ice cream
6. Light some candles
7. Listen to the sounds of nature (birds, the rain, etc.)
8. Schedule a lazy day
9. Crochet/knit
10. Bake something (cookies, cake, muffins, etc.)
11. Go for a walk
12. Start a journal or diary
13. Buy new slippers
14. Go to a local concert or play
15. Read a book you loved when you were younger
16. Have a picnic
17. See a movie
18. Add inspirational quotes to your walls
19. Visit the pet store and hold a puppy
20. Look at old pictures
21. Drink a glass of wine
22. Wrap yourself up in a fuzzy blanket fresh out of the dryer
23. Binge on an old TV show
24. Read some poetry
25. Listen to soothing music (think acoustic or classical)
26. Take a nap
27. Wear your pajamas all day
28. Watch the weather
29. Soak your feet (use warm water and epsom salts)
30. Go for an all-day hike
31. Call an old friend
32. Put together a scrapbook or smash-book
33. Wade in a creek barefoot
34. Read outside
35. Rock in a rocking chair
36. Collect shells or beach glass at the beach
37. Take a day off from social media
38. Go for a drive
39. Color
40. Make something new out of something old (plant flowers or succulents in old tin cans, turn a picture frame into a dry erase board, etc.)
41. Do yoga or Tai Chi
42. Plant a small flower/herb garden
43. Visit a playground and swing on the swings
44. Have coffee with a friend or loved one
45. Go horseback riding
46. Feed ducks at a duck pond
47. Go ice skating
48. Order dinner instead of cooking
49. Play a board game, card game, or do a puzzle
50. Go to a flea market or farmer's market
51. Go for a bike ride
52. Watch the sun rise or set
53. Try a local wine-tasting
54. Go window shopping
55. Read a book on mindfulness or hygge
56. Sit by a fire
57. Go swimming
58. Buy a new favorite blanket
59. Fill your house with new fragrances (candles, wax warmers, etc.)
60. Visit a museum
61. Try karaoke with friends
62. Find a new favorite local hangout
63. Go dancing
64. Buy a small fountain to help you relax
65. Start a new hobby
66. Take a day trip somewhere nearby
67. Paint/sketch
68. Buy new sheets
69. Eat out at a fancy restaurant
70. Hold a baby or spend time with children
71. Have a party/sleepover with good friends
72. Go rollerblading/rollerskating
73. Spring clean or reorganize some of your clutter
74. Visit an amusement park or go to the fair
75. Go camping
76. Sign up to take a class or lessons in something you've always enjoyed
77. Try new exotic foods (extra points if you make them yourself!)
78. Buy a bag of expensive coffee to brew on Mondays
79. Get a goofy T-shirt
80. Take a train or helicopter ride
81. Read a motivational book
82. Do a photo shoot and hang some new photos in your house
83. Buy a new pair of walking or running shoes
84. Attend a concert or music festival
85. Go fishing/boating
86. Subscribe to a magazine
87. Watch some cartoons
88. Get a new wheel or car seat cover
89. Write a love letter to yourself - tell yourself why you're awesome!
90. Join a gym/ join a few fitness classes/ get a personal trainer
91. Visit a spa- get a manicure/pedicure/massage/facial
92. Spend a night at a nice hotel
93. Get a pen pal
94. Change the light bulbs in your house to create softer, warmer lighting
95. Get a new haircut - or a full makeover!
96. Try geocaching or a scavenger hunt
97. Adopt a pet
98. Talk to a skincare professional about which products you should actually be using
99. Go to a tearoom for high tea (go hungry - high tea is an intense meal)
100. Get a jar to fill with change and save up for a great vacation

Good luck!

I hope you enjoyed this list and it inspired you to come up with relaxing ideas of your own.