100 Ways to Treat Yourself

Author:

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

Make a cup of tea or coffee
Sign up for a subscription box (wine, crafts, etc.)
Buy a new outfit
Take a bubble bath
Go out for ice cream
Light some candles
Listen to the sounds of nature (birds, the rain, etc.)
Schedule a lazy day
Crochet/knit
Bake something (cookies, cake, muffins, etc.)
Go for a walk
Start a journal or diary
Buy new slippers
Go to a local concert or play
Read a book you loved when you were younger
Have a picnic
See a movie
Add inspirational quotes to your walls
Visit the pet store and hold a puppy
Look at old pictures
Drink a glass of wine
Wrap yourself up in a fuzzy blanket fresh out of the dryer
Binge on an old TV show
Read some poetry
Listen to soothing music (think acoustic or classical)
Take a nap
Wear your pajamas all day
Watch the weather
Soak your feet (use warm water and epsom salts)
Go for an all-day hike
Call an old friend
Put together a scrapbook or smash-book
Wade in a creek barefoot
Read outside
Rock in a rocking chair
Collect shells or beach glass at the beach
Take a day off from social media
Go for a drive
Color
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.)
Do yoga or Tai Chi
Plant a small flower/herb garden
Visit a playground and swing on the swings
Have coffee with a friend or loved one
Go horseback riding
Feed ducks at a duck pond
Go ice skating
Order dinner instead of cooking
Play a board game, card game, or do a puzzle
Go to a flea market or farmer's market
Go for a bike ride
Watch the sun rise or set
Try a local wine-tasting
Go window shopping
Read a book on mindfulness or hygge
Sit by a fire
Go swimming
Buy a new favorite blanket
Fill your house with new fragrances (candles, wax warmers, etc.)
Visit a museum
Try karaoke with friends
Find a new favorite local hangout
Go dancing
Buy a small fountain to help you relax
Start a new hobby
Take a day trip somewhere nearby
Paint/sketch
Buy new sheets
Eat out at a fancy restaurant
Hold a baby or spend time with children
Have a party/sleepover with good friends
Go rollerblading/rollerskating
Spring clean or reorganize some of your clutter
Visit an amusement park or go to the fair
Go camping
Sign up to take a class or lessons in something you've always enjoyed
Try new exotic foods (extra points if you make them yourself!)
Buy a bag of expensive coffee to brew on Mondays
Get a goofy T-shirt
Take a train or helicopter ride
Read a motivational book
Do a photo shoot and hang some new photos in your house
Buy a new pair of walking or running shoes
Attend a concert or music festival
Go fishing/boating
Subscribe to a magazine
Watch some cartoons
Get a new wheel or car seat cover
Write a love letter to yourself - tell yourself why you're awesome!
Join a gym/ join a few fitness classes/ get a personal trainer
Visit a spa- get a manicure/pedicure/massage/facial
Spend a night at a nice hotel
Get a pen pal
Change the light bulbs in your house to create softer, warmer lighting
Get a new haircut - or a full makeover!
Try geocaching or a scavenger hunt
Adopt a pet
Talk to a skincare professional about which products you should actually be using
Go to a tearoom for high tea (go hungry - high tea is an intense meal)
Get a jar to fill with change and save up for a great vacation