The Most Fun Way to Change Your Habits
Gretchen Rubin
6x NYT Bestselling Author | Host of the "Happier with Gretchen Rubin" Podcast | Order "Life in Five Senses," out now in paperback
Habits are the invisible architecture of everyday life, and a significant element of happiness. If we have habits that work for us, we’re much more likely to be happy, healthy, productive, and creative.
My forthcoming book, Better Than Before, describes the multiple strategies we can exploit to change our habits. To pre-order, click here. (Pre-orders give a real boost to a book, so if you’re inclined to buy the book, I’d really appreciate it if you pre-order it.)
Here, I talk about the Strategy of Treats. Of the many habit-change strategies I investigate in my book, I must say, this is the most fun strategy.
What exactly counts as a “treat?” A treat is a small pleasure or indulgence that we give to ourselves just because we want it. Remember, a treat is different from a reward, which must be justified or earned.
“Treats” may sound like a self-indulgent, frivolous strategy, but it’s not. Because forming good habits can be draining, treats can play an important role.
When we give ourselves treats, we feel energized, cared for, and contented, which boosts our self-command—and self-command helps us maintain our healthy habits.
Studies show that people who got a little treat, in the form of receiving a surprise gift or watching a funny video, gained in self-control. It’s a Secret of Adulthood: If I give more to myself, I can ask more from myself. Self-regard isn’t selfish.
When we don’t get any treats, we begin to feel burned-out, depleted, and resentful. And that’s a very bad state for good habits. Try never to let yourself feel deprived.
Have you found that giving yourself treats helps you maintain your good habits? Do you have any unconventional healthy treats? We should all maintain a large list.
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Are you reading Happier at Home or The Happiness Project in a book group? Email me if you'd like the one-page discussion guide. Or if you're reading it in a spirituality book club, a Bible study group, or the like, email me for the spirituality one-page discussion guide.
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Gretchen Rubin is the author of the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers, The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. She writes about happiness and habit-formation (the subject of her next book, Better Than Before) at gretchenrubin.com. Follow her here by clicking the yellow FOLLOW button, on Twitter, @gretchenrubin, on Facebook, facebook.com/GretchenRubin
Andrew Dallos, Flickr
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9yGretchen ... One treat did yesterday ... watch some of your videos. And for myself I went shopping for a Harley Davidson to but on my wish list. So I can get off the computer and have a fun break.
Internationally Exhibited Fine Art Photographer || Author of "Prison of Despair" (Poetry Collections) Hardcover | Paperback | Kindle Available on Amazon.
9yI never thought of my scented candles as a treat. (warm apple, wild berry, some type of fruit). I also clean up around the apartment because a clean home is a happy home, that's what I always say. Plus, the time spent cleaning is a break from staring at a computer screen for hours on end. Finally, I like short walks...to the grocery store, post office, etc. Sometimes, I just need to get out of the house more. Fresh air. Thanks for the message.
Registered Pharmacy Technician @ CVS Pharmacy | Pharmacy Technician Certification
9yThank you for sharing this, it was interesting. And I can't wait for your book to come out.
Self taught abstract artist/ published author/ lingerie model /reality star / mother to Becky molly and Basil.
9yGretchen. You should be arrested for putting up that picture of the cupcakes. My god woman, i just started my diet today and was feeling all motivated until i saw them. Okay i give in. Next stop the bakery for a big fat cupcake.