“Treat Yo’Self” has become a popular phrase in recent years. It’s sometime used in the context of purchasing things that you may not need. It can occasionally be used to highlight a person’s right to do kind things for themselves.
Honestly, “Treat Yo’Self” has gotten a bad rep in some circles.
But what if the idea of “Treat Yo’Self” was actually good for your mental health?
“Treat Yo’Self” for Your Mental Health
One impactful way to improve your overall mental health is by engaging in activities that you find enjoyable. This is really the epitome of “Treat Yo’Self” – making time for pleasant activities.
When you engage in enjoyable activities, you build your resiliency to deal with all the things life may toss at you. You might think of it as filling up your I Got This Bucket. Each time you have a moment of joy, happiness, pleasure, or enjoyment, you’re adding to that bucket.
The more you fill your I Got This Bucket, the less likely that the daily frustrations of life are to knock you on your feet. You’re able to look those daily frustrations in the face, knowing your bucket is full, and reminding yourself, “I got this.”
You are able to feel more emotionally regulated because you have all these enjoyable moments and memories to reflect on. You’re feeling the long-term effects of what it means to healthily “Treat Yo’Self” with pleasant activities.
Some Things To Consider
Treating yourself in this context does still require you to consider a a few things beyond only how something feels in the moment.
What are some of the things you might want to consider for long-term enjoyment to apply?
BUDGET. Spending money on the latest new thing might be enjoyable in the moment, but that is short-lived if you can’t afford groceries due to the splurge of that expense. When thinking about ways to find moments of enjoyment and pleasure, consider that some of them may be free or very low-cost. See the list at the end of this post for some ideas that can help keep your budget in-tact.
RISKS. Some things that may bring enjoyment in the moment also come with risks. Make sure to consider the potential risks involved with a “Treat Yo’Self” experience before deciding to commit. Losing your I Got This Bucket in the process of trying to fill it up is not going to be very helpful.
NUMBING OUT. Constantly seeking pleasure and enjoyment from experiences can be a way that folks try to numb or avoid difficult emotions. While it’s important to incorporate things that bring pleasure and joy into your life, it’s also important to take time to feel the less pleasant emotions and deal with the things that keep causing you problems in life. Therapy can be a great place to do that, so you can make the most of your pleasant moments.
SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS. Enjoyable experiences are not going to fix systemic problems. Filling your own I Got This Bucket may allow you to feel ready and able to take part in systemic change. However, it’s important to recognize that no amount of “Treat Yo’Self” can heal the systemic injustices that abound.
What are Some Ways to “Treat Yo’Self”?
SINGULAR IDEAS – Things you can do alone.
- read a book
- watch a favorite TV show or movie
- play a challenging video game
- take a relaxing bath or shower
- complete an activity that you have been putting off
- cook a favorite meal
- take a drive through beautiful scenery
- masturbate
- slowly enjoy a favorite food or candy
- go for a walk
- get a massage
- write a daily gratitude list
- learn a new hobby or craft
INTERACTION IDEAS – Things you can do with others.
- cook a meal together
- play a board game
- spend time with children
- hug someone you care about for at least 20 seconds
- play a game of 1-on-1 basketball
- go for a hike
- discuss a book or movie you recently enjoyed
- have sex or other intimacy with a partner
- attend a community yoga class at a park
- go to a sporting event
- put together the wackiest thrift shop outfit you can find for under $10
- fly kites on a windy day
FREE IDEAS
- volunteer for a cause or event you care about
- read a book from the local library
- watch a movie from the library
- take a walk at a local park
- stretch or move your body in joyful ways
- draw or doodle
- sit outside in the fresh air
- play with a pet
- visit a free museum
- watch funny videos
- write stories, poems, or blogs
- people watching
OTHER IDEAS
- take a class at a local community college
- reflect on meaningful objects or writing
- listen to podcasts you enjoy
- plan a vacation
- learn to speak another language
- have a conversation you’ve been avoiding
- get glammed up
- wear something comfy
- write a letter to someone you care about or admire
- save up for a fun purchase
- mentor someone / coach a sport
What’s Next?
Choose a few of the ideas listed above (or some of your own) and see if you can create some enjoyable moments filled with pleasant activities. Some of them will be fun-filled and exciting. Some may create pleasant feelings of accomplishment. As you keep seeking out those moments to “Treat Yo’Self” you’ll continue to fill your I Got This Bucket and you’ll find yourself feeling better able to handle whatever may come along.
If you want a little extra support in handling life, I encourage you to consider working with a licensed mental health professional. You can search “therapist near me” online and find a place to start. If you know you want to address a specific concern – let’s say anxiety – you can search “anxiety therapist near me” to get some leads.
If you’re in North Carolina, and feel like we may be a good fit to work together, feel free to reach out via my contact form and I’m happy to have a free, brief consultation chat with you to answer any questions.
Michelle F. Moseley is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in NC.. She believes ALL people deserve respect, compassion, and access to mental and physical healthcare. Michelle specializes in working with survivors of religious trauma and with those who have body image concerns, finding there is frequent overlap in these areas. You can learn more about Michelle by visiting her website at MichelleFMoseley.com or following her on Instagram – @therapy_with_michelle
