MOST PEOPLE TEND link the word ‘treat’ or ‘reward’ to things that take hours of planning to put in place or cost well beyond their budget.
With that mindset in place, it can be tough to treat yourself on a regular basis, if at all. But if you’re willing to make a few attitude adjustments or think outside the box, you’ll find it’s fairly simple to spoil yourself a little every single day.
Maybe ‘spoiling yourself’ means snapping up some discounted tickets to your favourite show, or swapping out instant coffee for a fancy house roast one morning a week. Or maybe it’s something as simple as going for a long walk on your lunch break rather than hiding out in the office canteen.
Putting yourself first every once in a while can turn a dull day around. Here’s our guide to changing things up when you feel in need of a reward…
Make yourself a proper breakfast
At least one day this week, be it a lazy Sunday morning or a mid-week day when you get up a bit earlier than usual, set aside some time to prepare something you really enjoy for breakfast. Make some granola the night before or get eggs, coffee and fresh bread in and go for full-on brunch. It’s a mindful – and tasty – way to start the day off.
Re-visit a favourite album or book
There’s something incredibly comforting about settling into a book you already know you’ll love, or putting on an album you haven’t listened to in years. So take a deep dive into your bookshelf or long-forgotten CD rack and pick out an old classic.
Put clean sheets on the bed and change into freshly washed pyjamas
Even if you don’t get as much sleep as you might like, there is truly no greater bedtime pleasure than lying back on cool, detergent-scented sheets. Make yourself a cup of (caffeine-free) tea, grab a book or magazine, put clean pyjamas on and embrace the joy of a good night’s shut-eye.
Talk to someone who puts you in a good mood
If you’re lucky, you’ll already talk to people who put you in top form every day. But if not, take a few minutes and seek out someone you know will put you at ease – and bonus points if it’s someone who makes you laugh, too. Send a WhatsApp message to arrange a coffee, or set out some time for a phone call.
Plan a duvet day
Sometimes the joy of living lies in doing absolutely nothing. Mark out your Sunday as a dedicated duvet day, or clear your diary on a mid-week evening, and plonk yourself on the couch with some good food and bad TV. It’s what Netflix and on-demand telly were made for.
Grab a coffee and go people-watching
Café windows, perfectly positioned benches, and bustling city parks: Ireland is full of prime people-watching spots. Pick up a coffee, take a seat and watch the world go by. It’s surprisingly calming seeing strangers rushing past while you smugly sit back with nowhere to be.
Give yourself the gift of five minutes
If you had just a few minutes to yourself, what would you do? Go for a walk? Watch a ridiculous viral video of a dancing gorilla? Make a really good cup of tea? Allow yourself five minutes. You can spare it. Do the thing. You’ll feel all the better for it.
Want even more regular rewards? You don’t have to look far. Sign up to the Bord Gais Energy Rewards Club and you’ll enjoy exclusive deals from Tesco, the GAA and the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. So far, Bord Gáis Energy has helped its members save €3m on their energy bills and grocery shopping. Find out more here.
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