Little Luxuries, Big Benefits

Hey there, everyone. Brendan here once again, and I wanted to share a great article from the folks at Nice News, who explained a concept that's been knocking around in my brain for a while and really intrigues me: little luxuries. 

Here is the article, so you can read it for yourself. It's a wonderful thing, explaining what some of us might call "treating ourselves," but with more to it than a simple break from routine. In fact, it's argued that it should be exactly the opposite, and that these things and moments should become part of your daily schedule. They're an opportunity for your brain to decompress, and for self-reflection and improvement; no one can just "go, go, go" twenty four hours a day, or even every day of the week for work or school. We need these chances to extend some grace to our minds and bodies, and organizing them a bit more so that we get the full benefit can make a major difference. 

We've talked before about things like stress management and reducing anxiety, and some of those are adjacent to the idea of little luxuries, making sure that there are things that you enjoy in your day and routine. Something that I wanted to bring particular attention to, though, is the idea of doing so not just as a matter of course, but actively and intentionally. It is easy to do things that are "performatively" fun, as odd as that may sound-- things that you have enjoyed previously, but to do them in this manner is simply to go through the motions. Don't just treat whatever your little luxury is as a matter of course, at least not at first; it is a special part of your day, and deserves the same attention that you'd afford a special task at work. You are certainly important enough to have that level of focus given to your own well-being (and for those who disagreed with this statement, yes, you are!)

Try to separate in your mind the things that are making your life harder and the present moment in which you're partaking in your little luxury. You are still the same person, of course, but you are keeping these activities for their own purpose. Enjoy them with other people if you can and want to; sharing in these things can help amplify their effect on you and provide the same benefit for others. It can also be a great opportunity for you to learn more about those you're sharing the luxuries/activities with, and to simply spend time together. Humans are, after all, inherently community-oriented creatures, and one of the best things we can do for our mental health is to reduce feelings of isolation or loneliness. 

The article from Nice News (thanks again to those folks, by the way, for laying the groundwork for me on this) also gave a nice list of potential little luxuries. They noted that what fits for one person may not for someone else, and to find your own in the end; I fully agree, and decided to discuss some of their suggestions and add on a few of my own: 

• Going for a walk: This has been the one I've personally added to my routine since the weather began improving a few months ago, and I cannot express how much it has helped me. I have lost weight, become just a little bit more fit and have seen so much more of my neighborhood. Getting that fresh air rather than being cooped up inside has been such a help to my mental, and I heartily suggest it for anyone who has the opportunity. 
• Writing: This one might seem a bit odd at first, but there are different ways that this can help. For many folks, writing (both the physical act of putting pen to paper and the commitment of words to that page) is a way to de-escalate your anxiety. Problems are magnified immensely when they're allowed to inhabit our minds alone; seeing them written out can help you to recognize their actual size, and just how capable you are in confronting them. Creative writing (fiction, poetry, songs, etc) are also a great potential outlet. Journaling your feelings is another way to help manage them!
• Doing a crossword puzzle:Here's one that made me smile, because I remember it being a little luxury for a few people I knew growing up. It's also been somewhat culturally supplanted by Wordle, which I definitely recommend (there's no sponsorship or anything here, I promise you). Finding little activities like this to complete can help give you a sense of accomplishment that even completing larger tasks at work doesn't always provide. 
• Good snacks:We've got an incentive, of course, to mention that Nakee Butter can easily serve as a little luxury. It's the perfect mix of indulgent flavor and beneficial ingredients, which you can read more about in many of our prior blogs-- suffice it to say, though, it's fuel for both your mind and body! Nakee's also got two great flavors, cacao peanut and maple sunflower, and both are an excellent escape from the dull taste of so many other healthy foods out there. The convenience of the pouches means that you can take them with you anywhere, even while you're enjoying other little luxuries like a walk or hike (see the header image for more on that!). 

Another article that talks about little luxuries, from the folks at VeryWellMind, emphasizes the idea of improving your environment. That's something I hadn't really considered, but is such a great idea. As they put it, "create a space that relaxes you." Having your own area, whether it's a room or even an area in a room, that is dedicated to your relaxation can help with transitioning your mindset from work and anxiety to relaxation. Keeping this area isolated, a safe zone from the things that trouble you, can potentially be an immense psychological comfort. Here's an interesting blog on the idea of "sacred spaces" from Psychology Today, and though their approach delves more into the spiritual side, the practical benefits are clearly real. 

There's a lot more that we could discuss, and perhaps soon we will. For the moment, though, thank you so much for reading. If you have feedback or insight you want to share, let us know in the comments below, and if you're not sure where to begin with your own little luxuries, there is always Nakee Butter! 😉 Anyways, this is Brendan, singing off for now. Take care of yourself, friend.