Real-World Ideas When It’s Time to Treat Yourself

In real life, our woes are real, and our self-indulgences may not be so luxurious. But that doesn’t mean we can’t treat ourselves well. Among wellness experts, the notion of self-care has lately become even more relevant, as our medical community tries to balance the treatment of illnesses and symptoms, with equal emphasis on preventing health problems and taking better care of ourselves.

The following self-indulgences aren’t difficult or pricey, but taken when you need them most, they add up to a whole lot happier you.

Treat Yourself to Some Fancy Hydration

Infusing fresh, filtered water with fruit and other botanicals is a great way to stay hydrated and turn an everyday glass of water into a refreshing and healthy libation. Make sure all your ingredients are washed and rinsed well (organic is great, too, if available). Don’t let the ingredients soak more than two hours at room temperature, and follow these other helpful tips.

Treat Yourself to Some Flowers

You don’t have to wait for someone else to buy you flowers—pick some up for yourself! It’s a big win: You get the beautiful, fragrant flowers; the warm glow that comes from doing something nice for someone (you); and the satisfaction of picking just those blooms that you like best.

Treat Yourself to a Pretty Good Wine

Probably not a Châteaux Lafite Rothschild, since a single bottle can go for many thousands of dollars. But is it really that much better than an award-winning bottle of “Three Buck Chuck”? If you’re not a wine connoisseur, no need to worry. Check out the online reviews of budget wines before you go to the store. And when it’s time to pull the cork, savor it—and enjoy with food. A glass of wine with a good, healthy meal can help you feel more full and satisfied.

Treat Yourself to a Mud Mask

Or to some other reasonably priced face mask. While you can certainly pay thousands of dollars for a beautifying mask, there are many much lower-priced options available, and finding the best for you is simply a matter of a little research. Or check out these suggestions. Whatever you choose, the real luxury is in the time you take to relax those facial muscles and the refreshing feeling you get when you peel the mud away.

Treat Yourself to a Good Book

“There is no Frigate like a Book / To take us Lands away,” wrote Emily Dickinson. Whether you’re reading about a fated sea voyage or the people next door, a good book takes you out of yourself and can help to unlock the rich sensory detail that lives in your imagination. If you need a recommendation, ask a friend with similar taste, or connect with others on a social platform for readers, like Goodreads.

Treat Yourself to a New ’Do

Looking to try something new with your hair? If your current stylist hasn’t been working out so well, or you’re just in the mood for something adventurous, consider a haircut at a training school. You’ll save a lot of money while getting your hair cut and styled by a future master of the medium. Okay, maybe they’re not a master yet. But remember that there’s generally an instructor on hand to guide the process and even fix any areas of concern. If you go, take these tips to heart, and consider starting with something simple like a trim or a blow-dry.

Treat Yourself to More Ideas

The six above are just the tip of the iceberg. Whatever treat you’re craving, look deeper. Is it spending the money that makes you feel better, or the feeling that you get from doing something nice for yourself? Figure out how to make that feeling happen without the extra funds. You’ll feel that much smarter, which is a treat in and of itself.