Reward Yourself: 150 Self-Rewards That Mostly Aren't Food

We all need a little pick-me-up now and then, and there’s no better way to celebrate personal achievements or simply indulge in some much-needed self-care than treating yourself with some self-rewards. Whether it’s a physical reward, an exciting experience, or just a moment of relaxation, these self-rewards can help you feel appreciated and loved – giving yourself the validation you need rather than seeking it from others.

I have created a huge list of 150 ways to reward yourself, focusing on a variety of activities and physical treats, with only a few being food or drink-related.

What Are Self-Rewards?

Self-rewards are treats or activities that you give yourself as a form of appreciation and recognition for your efforts and accomplishments, or simply as a way to practice self-care. They are a quick way to boost your dopamine levels and work as positive reinforcement towards maintaining specific behaviours or achieving personal goals.

These rewards can range from simple pleasures like a quiet afternoon spent reading or a solo date to the cinema, to more elaborate treats such as a weekend getaway. The idea is to take time to acknowledge your hard work and dedication by indulging in something that brings you joy and satisfaction.

Why You Should Reward Yourself

Rewarding yourself isn’t just about indulging in expensive luxuries—it’s an essential part of maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle. And let’s face it, most of us don’t have a luxury budget!

Tip: Rewarding yourself at certain intervals is one of the best ways to establish a new habit! Having those ‘goal-posts’ to aim for can help us to maintain consistency or break an existing bad habit.

Here are a few reasons why rewarding yourself is something you should be doing:

Boosts Motivation: Knowing there is a reward waiting for you can help keep you motivated and focused on your goals.
Enhances Self-Esteem: Regularly acknowledging your achievements helps build confidence and self-worth.
Reduces Stress: Taking time to reward yourself can help alleviate stress and prevent burnout.
Encourages Positive Behavior: Rewards reinforce positive actions and behaviours, making it more likely that you will continue to pursue goals and maintain good habits.
Fosters Self-Care: Treating yourself reminds you to prioritise your own well-being and happiness.

What Type of Reward Should You Choose?

Choosing the right reward depends on you. The reward that one person might find extremely satisfying might not have the same impact on you, so you really need to personalise it to find meaningful reward ideas that are perfect for you.

Some of the best rewards can be small rewards that involve you engaging in your personal guilty pleasures and these often also happen to be free rewards too as an added bonus! Don’t underestimate the power of these self rewards as being a powerful motivator.

Here are some of the more common reward types:

Physical Rewards: Tangible items that bring you joy, comfort, or add value to your life.
Experiences and Activities: Engaging in activities or experiences that excite you.
Self-Care and Relaxation: Indulging in activities that promote relaxation and help you recharge.
Social and Fun: Spending quality time with friends and family to fill your social cup.

75 Self-Rewards To Treat Yourself With

While most of the time the first thing we think of when we consider rewarding ourselves, it’s often food that comes to mind. An indulgent dessert, a sneaky chocolate bar you don’t have to share or a big chai latte.

But food rewards aren’t always the best option. Especially junk food and even more so when your goals are health or weight loss related. While I have included a few food and drink-related self-reward ideas, this list will focus more on those other types of experiences and treats that don’t come with unwanted calories or bad habits.

Trust me, as a self-confessed chocoholic, I am the first to jump at the idea of a chocolate treat, but there are so many ways to reward yourself without food that are even BETTER!

Here’s a list of 150 self-rewards, focusing on a variety of activities and physical rewards:

Physical Rewards

Indulge in a new book you’ve been wanting to read.
Brighten up your space with a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Purchase a new piece of clothing or accessory.
Buy a new decorative piece for your home.
Invest in high-quality skincare items.
Use luxurious bath products for a DIY spa experience.
Get some beautiful stationery or a new journal.
Reward yourself with a new tech device or accessory.
Buy a high-end scented candle for ambience.
Purchase new workout clothes or equipment.
Treat yourself to a special piece of jewellery.
Sign up for an exciting subscription box (beauty, books, fitness).
Acquire a piece of art or a print that inspires you.
Get something custom-made, like a mug or notebook.
Buy a soft, cozy blanket or throw.
Add a new plant to your collection.
Invest in a set of high-quality bed sheets.
Buy an artisanal coffee or tea blend.
Purchase materials for a craft or hobby you enjoy.
Purchase supplies for a new hobby you want to try.
Have a small online shopping spree within a budget.
Upgrade a subscription such as premium Spotify or a new streaming service.
Treat yourself to something related to the habit you are building, like a new water bottle, a fitness tracker or nice pens for your journal.
Sunglasses.
Pretty new hair accessories.
Give a space in your home a makeover.
Start a new garden.
Get your eyebrows waxed or threaded.
Hire someone to clean your house
Get your car detailed.
Hire someone to mow your lawn.
Do the home reno project you’ve been saving for.
Find a new perfume scent you love.
Get a cute new mug.
Have your teeth whitened.
Invest in a comfy new desk chair.
Go thrifting or find some unique items at the flea market.
Buy a new print for your wall (you can get lots of cheap print-your-own art on Etsy.
Buy a new purse or handbag.
Get yourself a cute new workout outfit.
Upgrade your coffee machine or blender.

self rewards 150 ways to rewards yourself list.

Experiences and Activities To Reward Yourself

Watch a favourite movie.
Watch a new movie at the cinema.
Plan a visit to a nearby town or attraction.
Buy tickets for a live concert, play, or show.
Spend a day exploring a local museum or art gallery.
Enroll in a class or workshop on a topic of interest.
Spend a relaxing day at the beach.
Go on a hiking adventure in nature.
Enjoy a fun-filled day at an amusement park.
Book a professional photo session.
Challenge yourself with an escape room experience.
Offer your time to a cause you care about.
Start a do-it-yourself project you’ve been postponing.
Plant flowers or vegetables in your garden.
Plan a camping trip in the great outdoors.
Take a leisurely walk in a nature reserve.
Organize a picnic in a nearby park.
Experience an exhilarating hot-air balloon ride.
Join a cooking or baking class.
Book a relaxing staycation in a local hotel or Airbnb.
Attend a yoga retreat or workshop.
Go horseback riding for a unique experience.
Take a pottery or ceramics class.
Go on a trip dedicated to taking photos.
Sign up for a dance class.
Start or join a book club.
Spend a day fishing.
Hire a professional service like a cleaner or organizer for a day.
Spend time planning a future vacation.
Make a donation to a charity you care about as a reward for your hard work.
Go for a bike ride around the city or countryside.
Spend a day exploring your local library.
Visit the zoo.
Visit the aquarium for a day of fun and learning.
Visit a botanical garden or arboretum.
Enjoy a day of water activities like kayaking or paddleboarding.
Take a scenic train or boat tour.
Arrange a photoshoot day at a picturesque location.
Have a fun session at the local arcade.
Go go-karting.
Have a video game session.
Stay in bed for a whole day.
Get a makeover and have someone do your make-up and hair for you.
Have a sexy boudoir portrait session.
Attend a personal trainer session.
Go to a boxing class.
Book a life coaching session.

Self-Care Rewards

Enjoy a long bubble bath with candles and music.
Allow yourself a guilt-free nap.
Get your nails done.
Have a relaxing facial.
Do a float tank session for deep relaxation.
Treat yourself to a professional massage.
Spend extra time meditating.
Visit the salon for a pedicure.
Devote an afternoon to reading in bed.
Enjoy uninterrupted time listening to your favourite music.
Use essential oils for a calming aromatherapy session.
Take the time to enjoy a sunrise or sunset.
Spend an evening gazing at the stars.
Dedicate some time to solitude and reflection.
Have a slow morning, taking your time getting up for the day.
Take a mental health day from work.
Listen to an audiobook or podcast.
Get your hair done – new cut, a colour or just a trim.

Social Rewards

Host a dinner party with friends.
Organise a game night with family or friends.
Play your favourite board games with your family.
Have a fun karaoke night at home or at a bar.
Host a themed party, like a costume party or decade-themed gathering.
Join a local sports league or recreational team.
Go bowling with friends or family.
Visit an amusement park or fair for thrilling rides and games.
Take a group cooking class.
Do a sip and dip art class night.
Organise a hiking trip with friends.
Go to a comedy club for a night of laughs.
Attend a local festival or community event.
Participate in a trivia night at a bar or restaurant.
Plan a beach day with friends, complete with games and a picnic.
Host a movie marathon with your favourite films.
Go ice skating or rollerblading with friends.
Try out an escape room challenge together.
Plan a self-care party with friends.
Join or start a book club and discuss your latest reads.
Plan a camping trip with friends for a weekend getaway.
Go to a farmers’ market and cook a meal together with fresh ingredients.
Participate in a charity run or walk as a group.
Go to a drive-in theatre or outdoor movie screening.

Food and Drink Rewards

Treat yourself to a gourmet meal at a nice restaurant.
Get a special treat from a bakery.
Enjoy a specialty coffee or tea from a café.
Go wine tasting at a vineyard.
Have a brunch outing at a popular local spot.
Try making a new recipe at home.
Visit a food festival or farmers’ market.
Indulge in a homemade dessert night.
Explore different cuisines by dining at an ethnic restaurant.
Take a cooking class to learn a new culinary skill.
Host a potluck dinner with friends or family.
Plan a themed dinner night at home, like Italian or Mexican cuisine.
Attend a beer-tasting event or visit a local brewery.
Have a picnic in the park with a variety of finger foods.
Treat yourself to an artisanal cheese and charcuterie board.
Order a delivery from a highly-rated restaurant you haven’t tried before.
Enjoy a high tea experience with sandwiches and pastries.
Sample exotic fruits you’ve never tried before.
Create a DIY ice cream sundae bar at home.
Visit a chocolate shop and select a few gourmet chocolates to savour.

These self-rewards give you plenty of variety to help you celebrate your achievements and stay motivated. Rewarding yourself is all part of the self-love journey and you deserve to treat yourself in ways that help you thrive!

Which rewards are you most excited to give yourself?