You’re amazing, do you know that? And after all the hard work you put in at home or in the office, day in day out, you deserve a bit of ‘me’ time. Time to give yourself a break and show yourself some appreciation.
So, off to the spa or a fancy restaurant? Nice if you can afford them, but there are plenty of ways to treat yourself without spending a thing.
Just getting out in the fresh air or even doing nothing at all can make you feel as good as an expensive beauty treatment or night out, so here are some ideas for next time you feel like treating yourself and your bank account screams “Noooooo!”
1. Exercise
Exercise in any form releases endorphins which lift your mood. Get out for a jog or bike ride, or have a dig around in the back of your DVD collection and see if you have any cheesy exercise videos. Having a good laugh at the awful lycra will put you in an even better mood!
2. Pamper Yourself
Ok, we’ll admit it’s not quite the same as having someone do it for you, but painting your nails, putting on a face mask, or giving yourself a body scrub will help to soothe and uplift you. Even half an hour relaxing in the bath is enough to give you some R&R.
3. Read
Put your phone down, snuggle up in the comfiest spot in your home, and get lost in a good book for a while to forget about the stresses of the day.
4. Have A Wander
Sometimes we’re in too much of a rush to appreciate what’s going on around us. Going for a walk just for the sake of it can help clear your mind and open your eyes to the world around you, even on a route you’ve travelled hundreds of times before. Plus, walking still counts as exercise so you can feel good about that too.
5. Get Your Bake On
Enough talk of exercise; let’s eat some cake! Have fun baking and decorating a batch of cupcakes or some other sweet treat. And once they’re done, if you don’t eat them all yourself, you get to share the love with your friends.
6. Netflix & Chill
The problem with the term ‘binge watching’ is it makes you feel like you’re doing something wrong. Well we’re giving you permission to go right ahead – put on your comfiest clothes, grab a snack, and watch to your heart’s content.
7. Go Out To Eat
Your lunch break is a chance to get away from work for a while, so why in the world would you want to spend it sitting at your desk? Get outside, find a quiet corner or a shady spot under a tree, and give yourself a proper break. The same goes if you work from home.
8. Have A Pyjama Day
Set aside a day to do as little as you possibly can. Don’t shower, don’t get dressed, and definitely don’t leave the house. A day of no obligations can be exactly what you need to unwind.
9. Have A Dance
Pop on your favourite music and have a private rave in your living room. Nobody’s watching, so let your hair down and let those worries disappear along with your dignity.
10. Do Something You Love
Whether it’s painting, writing, crafting, or doing DIY, set aside some time to do something that you love but don’t usually have time for.
11. Play A Game
Put the screens away and dust off a good old-fashioned board game to play with friends or family. Just not Monopoly. Oh no, please… not Monopoly!
12. Have Some One On One Time
Schedule a night in with your other half or get your best mate over. Quality time spent with those that matter most to you is always a treat.
13. Give Someone A Call
Pick up the phone and have a good catch-up with someone you haven’t spoken to for a while (not your TV repair man, obvs). Having a proper conversation will leave you both feeling appreciated.
See, it really doesn’t have to be time-consuming or costly to give yourself a little treat. So go on, what are you waiting for? Your bank account will thank you!
