Sometimes we just deserve a reward. We accomplish something difficult or do something that we don’t want to but that needs to be done. Let’s face it, things in life are often difficult and it is ok to reward yourself! Giving yourself rewards is a technique recommended by psychologists. When you reward yourself, you subconsciously (and sometimes consciously!) build up your good behavior and encourage yourself to do more good things. It is fun to spontaneously reward yourself for something unexpectedly hard, but it also a good idea to set specific tasks and corresponding rewards. In a system of set tasks and rewards you build up your self-discipline. Having discipline obviously helps in all aspects of life, and is a much needed attribute in order to have a less stressful life.
Problems sometimes occur when people reward themselves in unhealthy ways. One example of this is comfort food. If you have just gone through a hard day or a hard emotional experience it is often tempting to turn to gorging yourself with fatty treats as a type of retreat. The flip side is to deny yourself food. Neither are good options. Try looking at the experience differently. Something bad or hard happened and you deserve a reward for making it through or dealing with it. Honestly it is all right if you partake of fats as a form of reward. Your body needs some fat to survive. Plus it is virtually impossible to deny yourself all guilty pleasures all the time. The problem comes in the amount and frequentness. Plan on indulging in a small amount of fats and sweets. This will help you keep your cravings down and will allow for good rewards.
Beyond sweets we may crave, there are also many good food choices that can act as rewards. Perhaps splurging on your favorite fresh fruit even if it is out of season or going out for some frozen yogurt or making delicious smoothies. There are even healthy (good tasting) chocolates out now that can boost your energy, help you burn fat, and give you vitamins. That way you can settle your craving and be healthy about it at the same time.
There are many other healthy rewards you can set for yourself. Think about things you like to do and reward yourself with activities rather than food. Sometimes it might be to go to a movie, but try to mix it up with active activities as well. Go dancing, or pull your bike out of the garage and go on an evening ride. Go on a hike you love, or swimming. Fit your active reward with something you have an interest in trying or enjoy doing.
Being social is good for you and helps keep your emotional, physical, and spiritual in balance as well. So consider rewarding yourself in going out with friends or visiting family or doing something to meet people.
Start today by choosing something you need to do and assigning a healthy reward to it.
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