window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-GEQWY429QJ');

 

ENTITY Treat Yo Self

We often throw out the phrase “treat yo self” when we’re justifying buying something frivolous. The hit show “Parks and Recreation” helped popularize the catchy motto for self-indulgence. It’s fun to treat yourself. While it’s important to practice self-care, the “treat yo self” mantra often does more harm than good. It has the tendency to lead to overindulgence.

ENTITY Treat yo self

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself every once in a while. In fact, some studies show that the occasional reward is good for developing positive habits. Research also shows that it can improve your overall mental health.

But other studies are highlighting some of the problems with this self-indulgent mentality. Researchers explain that oftentimes people take their “treat yo self” motto to the point of overindulgence, including overspending and overeating. Additionally, studies suggest that overindulgence can and decrease overall happiness.

Here are some reasons why “treat yo self” isn’t always the best motto.

Overspending

ENTITY treat yo self spending

Financial planners often cite how this “treat yo self” mentality leads to overspending. People are treating themselves into debt. Personal rewards that cause financial burden do much more harm than good. Don’t treat yourself to what you can’t afford. Financial debt from “treating yo self” leads to more stress in the long run; regardless of how good it feels in the moment.

Financial planner Sallie Thompson cites the 50/20/30 rule for the breakdown of personal spending. Fifty percent of a person’s income should be allocated to basic expenses (rent, food etc.). Twenty percent should go towards saving for the future (retirement fund etc.). The last 30 percent can then be used for all other personal spending, including “treating yourself”. Thompson argues that any more than that does more harm than good. Not abiding by this rule creates unnecessary financial strain.

While it is absolutely fine to spend money on a reward for yourself or a frivolous item once in a while, you shouldn’t “treat yo self” into debt.

Overeating

Entity Treat yo self eating

There are certainly benefits to occasional reward food. In fact, the majority of dieticians advocate for a cheat food (or even a full cheat meal) every once in a while. An occasional treat is said to keep you motivated and on track with your diet. It also helps satisfy your cravings.

However, dieticians also emphasize how this should be a small or occasional treat. Everyone has heard about the problems associated with overeating or consuming an imbalanced diet. Those rules still apply. While the occasional treat may be good for overall morale, treating yourself should not cost you a balanced and (at least somewhat) healthy diet. A well-rounded diet is linked to the most positive psychological and physical outcomes. Therefore treating yourself too much in terms of food may not be in your best interest.

Overall Happiness

ENTITY treat yo self happiness

Behavioral scientists conducted a six-week study to examine the impact of self-indulgence on overall happiness and life satisfaction. Over the course of the study they divided the participants into three groups: the pro-social, the neutral and the self-focused. Those in the pro-social group behaved charitably and focused on improving the lives of others. The self-focused group, on the other hand, engaged primarily in personal reward and self-satisfaction. The neutral group was neither particularly charitable or selfish.

Of these three groups, the only one with reported improvement in overall happiness was the pro-social group. Meaning, those who strived to help others were the ones who benefitted psychologically. The self-focused group saw no overall improvement in happiness.

This study demonstrates that the best way to make ourselves happy isn’t necessarily to treat ourselves. Rather, to be the happiest we are better off behaving charitably.

Self-Nurturing Versus Self-Indulgence

Even though studies demonstrate the negative repercussions of overindulgence, doing kind things for yourself isn’t all bad. Dr. Seltzer from Psychology Today stresses the importance of differentiating between “self-nurturing” and “self-indulgence” when we think about treating ourselves.

Dr. Seltzer argues that we absolutely should engage in behaviors for the sake of making ourselves feel good. The point he makes, however, is that these behaviors should not be linked to a long-term cost. It’s good to engage in fun activities or to treat ourselves to a food we enjoy. It is not beneficial to binge eat ourselves into health problems or to gamble ourselves into debt.  We are harming ourselves from behavior that makes us feel good in the moment but causes us guilt or anxiety in the long run.

Entity treat yo self

In the end, there is nothing wrong with the occasional self-reward or indulgent behavior. Everyone should be able to treat themselves every once in a while. Like everything in life, it’s all about moderation. The trick is finding that happy medium. So “treat yo self,” just not all the time.

Edited by Chloe Lew
Send this to a friend