It’s funny you should mention this – I’d noticed that I have this ‘treat’ tendency, and when I’m trying to save money I buy small snacks from vending machines, and when I’m trying to watch what I eat I buy expensive books instead. Neither is really a good habit!

But recently I was reading The Now Habit, about procrastination. I didn’t expect it’d have anything to say about frequent treating, but the author says it’s a common tactic for dealing with work you either can’t or don’t want to do. It’s also a reaction to pressuring yourself to get work done, which means you feel deprived of fun things, so you have a little snack or a glass of wine.

I’m still working on my procrastination, but if I get a handle on it I’ll have to see if it curbs my treating habits!

Interesting topic, and something I’ve been thinking about lately regarding alcohol. After a few weeks of drinking every day (not a lot, but consistently and enough to make me a little uncomfortable), I went cold turkey.. .it’s been a couple weeks since I haven’t had alcohol and it’s quite a relief to be rid of this daily “treat” that was really becoming less and less of a treat the more I continued. I must admit though… I’m starting to look forward to the end of this dry spell and enjoying the odd drink again as the treat it’s intended to be. =)

Oops, I submitted a comment but I think it may have been lost in transmission. I’ll check back later.

{resubmitting my earlier comment, which disappeared somewhere into the interwebs}

Thoughtful, wise thoughts and the plain truth on a tricky topic. Thank you, Kathryn.

I don’t like to think of food simply as fuel. Period. It does provide joy, pleasure and comfort. But I agree there can be dangers in using food as a treat or reward. As you point out, “overuse” changes it to a habit that will not help our health.

I appreciate Julie’s insight about using treats as a procrastination tactic. And Monica, good for you for taking control.

Interesting Kathryn. I come across this a lot too (at work and elsewhere). Most of us are rushing round all the time these days aren’t we, trying to cram in too much? It’s no wonder we think we deserve a treat.

I think it’s part of a natural impulse to look after ourselves, but one that backfires when we’re always under pressure (or perceive that we are). It’s nice to treat yourself occasionally, with food, a glass of wine or something else. But we’re often so busy that we can’t see the bigger picture, that if we’re in need of a treat every day we’d be better off speaking to our boss about our workload / having an early night / figuring out some other stress relief like exercise.

I think Sophie is onto something here! I know for myself the biggest treat I can have is a block of time that is mine just to spend or ‘waste’ as I see fit, without feeling compelled to do anything ‘productive’ with it. Unfortunately for lots of us that kind of free time – the kind that lets us reflect and recharge our batteries – is in a lot shorter supply that food!

WOW… I’ve been hanging out for your next post Kathryn and BANG – one that hits straight home.

With a new baby (well almost 12 months now) life has changed A LOT… it’s mostly wonderful and one of the ‘niceties’ is the daily visit to a local cafe for coffee… and “just a little something nice”.

Thanks Kathryn for raising and reminding me about this in a subtle and sensitive way; and thanks for all the honest and insightful comments.

Oh Kathryn, I can’t stop treating myself at the moment at 7 months pregnant. It’s mostly chocolate too… total nightmare!

A-men.

Beautifully put (and the above entry, too).

There are, of course, other kinds of treats that, though not edible, are ‘treats’. Like getting to work early, avoiding distractions, knocking off early and then treating yourself to a little walk in the sunshine. Or spending ten minutes wrting down a wishlist/dreamlist. Or closing your eyes and daydreaming. But really, there are many other ways to ‘feel good’! (Donating a couple of dollars of small change to Pakistan’s flood’s would make everyone feel good).

I think the food as treat thing is made that much easier when we convince ourselves that food = happiness. It does, of course, but happiness, like life, is multi-layered.

Great post!!

Great post Kathryn! I need to take control of my treats. My main problem is after dinner as I want to keep snacking. I have the rest of the day under control!

Great post! I’m generally pretty gentle with my approach and advocate the “80/20” rule, though I think I probably let my clients get away with more than they should. I will definitely bring this uncomfortable question up in some of my sessions!