“Treat yo-self” has become a popular mantra in today’s world, but why is there so often guilt associated with someone doing something nice for themselves? Everyone deserves to feel pampered and special once in awhile, and it goes beyond the superficial reasons for wanting a treat. In fact, doing something indulgent can have a positive effect on one’s mental health as well as a host of other benefits. In this article, we explore those perks and get to the bottom of why it is not frivolous to treat yourself, but instead is healthy to do so in moderation.

You Come First: Why Treating Yourself is Healthy, Not Frivolous

Love yourself first, and everything else falls in line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.

– Lucille Ball

Deprivation leads to unhealthy feelings and habits

The first reason it’s important to treat oneself is that deprivation is simply not a healthy way to form good habits. Completely cutting out things that are you crave can have the opposite effect than intended when you are aiming to live a healthy and happy life. A life devoid of any indulgences is one that will prompt feelings of resentment, frustration, and depletion.

Thus, those feelings will inevitably lead to breaking a good habit, as the craving for the treat will become so great that one will cease to care about the formation of the habit at all. Instead, a reward or treat should be built into the building of these routines and habits, as these will help individuals stay on track, and to be happy while doing it.

Indulging can rejuvenate you

In a world of constant chaos, it can sometimes be difficult to find ways to avoid burn out and to help yourself feel rejuvenated and reenergized. That is where the role of indulgence comes in. Doing something nice for yourself is an easy way to hit your internal ‘reset’ button and to motivate you to keep up with all the hard work that goes into your day-to-day life.

While some may associate the words “indulgence” and “pampering” with lavish and costly extravagances, that does not have to be the case. Simply having a home spa day, going for a walk on the beach, or making your favorite meal are all reasonable yet effective ways to center yourself and to feel completely pampered.

It reduces stress

Self-care is an important part of stress management, and treating yourself can do wonders when it comes to reducing your stress levels. Stress can wreak havoc on our bodies, both physically and mentally. It can prompt sleep disorders, increase the risk of hypertension, compromise our immune systems, and increase the risk of cardiac and inflammatory disease. Approximately three-fourths of the human population undergoes some level of stress within each two-week period, making it a prevalent factor in most people’s lives.

However, pampering yourself from time to time negates stress and reminds you that you and your needs are important, too. This can contribute to a higher level of confidence in yourself and your life and it can also contribute to long-term feelings of well-being.

It’ll boost your mood

No one wants to be a grump, but let’s face it — we all get into slumps once in awhile. To turn a frown upside down, treat yourself in some way, whether it be big or small. Self-care is oftentimes associated with selfishness, which can prompt those pesky feelings of guilt when it comes to indulging. However, that guilt is unmerited as doing something nice for yourself when you’re feeling blue can be just what you need to improve your mood or to turn a day around. Again, these don’t need to be grand gestures, but instead small indulgences or treats can be just as effective in practicing self-care and to help yourself feel better.

You come first

It’s not always easy to prioritize yourself amidst a busy life filled with hustle and bustle. But doing so ensures that you will reduce your stress, boost your mood, and help promote healthy habits throughout your life. Use this opportunity to treat yourself to something fun, relaxing, and completely indulgent — you deserve it!