50 Genuine Ideas to Reward Yourself Without Food
You might start doing a specific task only because of the reward you will earn after completing it.
And it’s totally normal. After all, rewards stimulate you to finish a task quicker or in a better way.
Rewards are positive because they let you focus on both big and small victories in life.
Rewarding yourself might become an everyday thing. And the easiest way to reward yourself is with food.
However, food rewards are not always beneficial for your body and mind.
Let’s dive deeper and understand how to reward yourself without food.
Save this article to refer to it later.
The problems with rewards: it’s only food or costs a lot of money.
When you think of a reward, something expensive usually comes to mind.
And because you have to take care of your financial health, you skip the expenses.
What’s the next thing that comes to mind?
Food, of course - ice cream, dessert, the newest Starbucks special, some fast food, etc.
Don’t get me wrong: all of the foods listed above are great as part of a balanced diet.
But eating McDonald’s twice a day because you completed two tasks and want to reward yourself is not.
You should not perceive food as a reward or treat.
Food fuels your body, giving you the energy to thrive and live your best life. It’s not something you should earn.
So here are 50 different ways to reward yourself without food and without breaking the bank.
50 Ways to Reward Yourself Without Food
Wellness rewards
#1 Set aside 10 minutes of your day to raise your vibration.
You may include practices like journaling, meditation, or whatever works in your situation.
Choose a practice that helps you clear out your mind.
#2 Get a scented candle. The ones with wood wick are the best, in my opinion. They remind you of a fireplace.
#3 Make a new playlist for your workouts or meditations. Uplifting music is what gets me through most of my workouts.
#4 Do an online workout of your choice.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. Find something that seems curious and you've never tried.
#5 Listen to a podcast or motivational speech.
If you have a hobby or want to learn more about a specific topic, podcasts are a great place to start.
People speak from their experience and can give you real-life advice.
#6 Make a list of books you’d like to read. You can check my recommendations for both fictional and non-fictional ones.
#7 Read a book or an article.
#8 Do some stretches or foam rolling. Active recovery is the best way to recharge your body.
#9 Call a friend you haven’t heard from in a while. Bonding those connections may be just what you need.
#10 Say or write some positive affirmations.
Affirmations are a great way to be focused and appreciate what you currently have.
Self-care rewards
#11 Make a bubble bath. There’s nothing more relaxing than hot water with a foamy bath bomb.
The hot water will relax your muscles while you have some time alone with your thoughts.
#12 Go to a massage.
You can ask your partner to give you a massage. Then return the favor. Another budget-friendly option is a massage chair.
#13 Make a manicure or pedicure.
Get a UV or LED lamp and have a professional manicure at home.
#14 Take a nap.
A busy schedule often leads to sleep deprivation. Having an afternoon nap can reduce stress and make you feel more energized.
#15 Do a face and/ or hair mask. The natural ones are my favorite.
#16 Get a self-care planner.
You will know what your next self-care retreat will be, so you can be extra motivated.
#17 Make a zen spot in your home.
Add some plants and home decor. Make it calming and peaceful.
#18 Make your favorite tea or coffee drink. Chai lattes, anyone?
#19 Make a vision board with your goals for the upcoming year.
If you make a digital one, use it as wallpaper on your laptop or phone. Whenever you don’t feel motivated, it will remind you to keep going.
#20 Spend some time with your pet. Your furry friend appreciates every single minute with you.
Show your pet some extra love. If you don’t have one yet, this is your sign: adopt one.
Motivation rewards
#21 Buy a new workout set.
It doesn’t have to be expensive. There are numerously affordable and high-quality options on Amazon.
#22 Get new headphones for your workouts or work. Your motivation playlist needs a high-quality sound.
#23 Buy a new planner. This way, you will feel better writing your tasks and cross them after completion.
#24 Enroll in an online course.
If you have a hobby or topic you've always wanted to learn more about, there are plenty of courses.
You don’t have to choose an expensive one. Do your research and might even find a beginner-friendly course for free.
#25 Get a new haircut/ hairstyle.
There’s a new trendy color, or you’re ready to try bangs one more time? Some change never harms anybody.
#26 Share your accomplishment with your closest people.
Sharing with friends and family is powerful. It helps you get a clear perspective on how people perceive you.
Sharing with friends and family is so powerful. You can look at situations from a different angle.
#27 Get a new water bottle.
You know how important hydration is. What is more motivating to drink more water than a fancy bottle?
#28 Take a break.
I know this one sounds crazy.
Taking a 10-minute break can help you improve your focus and productivity.
You give your brain a time-out. It can recharge and be ready for more achievements.
#29 Start a saving account for something you want to buy - like an expensive bag or vacation.
When you accomplish a goal, add $5-20. In one year, check how much you've saved.
#30 Get something for your desk.
It can be a souvenir, photo frame, new calendar, plant, or bouquet.
Make your workspace bright, so you can feel more motivated while working on your projects.
Relationship rewards
#31 Plan a date night.
You can go out to a restaurant or prepare a delicious dinner at home. Don’t turn on the TV. Talk about everything that lights up your heart.
#32 Go to a picnic.
A picnic will probably involve food too. But don’t focus on it.
Concentrate on the experience of being close to nature, away from the urban world.
#33 Write a love letter to each other.
Writing a letter with your future expectations or what you love about each other is beneficial for your relationship.
It warms your heart when you hear kind words and big plans for the future.
Love letters are powerful tool to keep the spark in your relationship.
#34 Go to a concert, theater, museum, or sports event.
See if there is a new exposition, play, or game that might interest both of you. Get tickets and let the fun begin.
#35 Plan a fun day: visit a national park, go for a hike, take a picnic, go to the beach, etc.
#36 Go to a mini-golf.
#37 Plan trivia or game night with friends.
If you don’t want to go to a club, game nights are a marvelous way to have a lot of fun in the comfort of your home.
Some of my all-time favorite games are Uno, Scrabble, and Catan.
#38 Plan a movie night. Go to the cinema or watch a movie at home.
#39 Find a new couples activity you’ve never done and will both enjoy.
It might be some kind of sport, dancing, going to an escape room. Use your imagination (and Google) and dive in.
#40 Go dancing. Having fun is an essential part of rewards. And dancing to your favorite jam is a must-do.
Outdoor rewards
#41 Make a nice dinner set up on your balcony. You don’t have to go to a restaurant to feel fancy.
#42 Go to a botanical garden. You will enjoy some nature and take beautiful pictures.
#43 Take photography lessons and take some outdoor pictures.
You can make beautiful shots, print them, and put them on your wall. You will feel like an artist.
#44 Get a hammock and spend a peaceful day at the park or in your backyard.
Relaxing in nature while listening to the birds and simply enjoying life. Name a better activity. I will wait.
#45 Go camping.
Even if you don’t want to spend the night in a tent, camping is a great activity that gets you close to nature.
#46 Make a bonfire and spend the night outside with friends.
Gathering around the fire without any smartphones is priceless.
It helps you look around, appreciate the world, and enjoy a meaningful conversation with a friend.
#47 Research your local area and visit a gem you haven’t yet (cave, national park, lake, etc.).
If you think you saw everything in your area, you haven’t looked enough. There are such great parks and natural sights you can visit.
I recently started finding places to visit on TikTok. Most of them are budget-friendly and give you numerous ideas for a single-day getaway.
#48 Go stargazing.
There are national parks that are part of the Dark night sky program. Those are spots with minimal light pollution where you can see a clear sky full of stars.
#49 Go for a walk.
Walking has so many benefits:
It gets you close to nature.
It helps you increase your daily steps.
It is therapeutic and helps you organize your thoughts.
#50 Do some gardening.
If you don’t have a backyard, go to your balcony and make it a green zen spot. Have some plants, herbs, and maybe even veggies.
Why do you want to reward yourself? The psychology behind a habit.
The psychology behind a habit tells you that you’re much more likely to repeat it if you get a reward after completion. This may be one of the reasons something becomes part of your routine.
For further explanation, you can read the book Atomic Habits. It is a handy guide that explains how to stick to better habits and limit the bad ones.
The better the reward, the more consistent you may become with building a habit.
This is a great strategy to implement more healthy habits into your life.
However, choose the reward cautiously.
You don’t want to reward yourself with a box of ice cream every time you complete a workout. You won’t become stronger, thinner, or healthier.
Choose a reward that corresponds with the person you want to be.
You may reward yourself with a new workout outfit after a week of workouts or a relaxing bubble bath.
Cute gym clothes will motivate you to show up and work out more regularly.
On the other hand, a hot bubble bath will relax your muscles and increase your recovery process.
Let me know in the comments: what habits are you currently trying to build?
Why should you avoid rewarding yourself with food?
While rewards are a way to acknowledge your accomplishments, it’s not the best idea to reward yourself with food.
First of all, you might use it as an excuse to eat a lot of junk food.
Let’s make something clear: every food has a part in your diet. This includes fast food, foods high in sugar, sodas, etc.
However, those foods should be part of your diet, not the main character.
Most importantly, seeing food as a reward is unhealthy for your mind.
You start perceiving it as something you should deserve, only if you have an accomplishment.
Food is the energy your body needs to thrive, not a prize.
While some of the methods listed above include eating (like a dinner or a picnic), food is not the main reward.
The reward is to spend some quality time with your closest people while enjoying a nice meal.
Why are rewards good for you?
You might think it’s childish to desire rewards after completing a task.
Since we were children, we get a reward when we behave well. And that becomes part of our psychology.
On the other hand, that’s how life usually works.
When you work both small or a big goals, you’re doing it because of the reward that comes after it.
If you work hard, you will earn more money and be able to buy nice things.
If you focus on your nutrition, you will improve your health.
If you spend more time with your family and friends, you will have people to count on.
Rewards are part of your life, whether you realize it or not. And it’s completely natural to look for ways to reward yourself.
Also, rewards motivate you to finish the task quicker or in a better way. They also help you stop procrastinating and get the work done.
What is a positive way to reward yourself?
Choose rewards that you will enjoy but also benefit your overall life.
There is much more joy to life beyond food.
Choose your unique way of rewarding yourself without food.
Also, don’t forget to stop and truly enjoy your reward. Realize that you’ve earned because of your accomplishments, even if it’s something small.
You don't get a promotion or graduate every day.
But you can go one step closer to your goal. And that deserves celebration.
Every day is full of small victories. Open your eyes and celebrate them.
Conclusion
Life is full of tasks, hardships, and obstacles. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating overcoming those obstacles and rewarding yourself.
Realize that there are so many things you might enjoy and ways to reward yourself without food.
You can get some ideas from the list above or think of your own.
The only thing to remember about rewards is to choose something beneficial for your overall life.
I hope this article motivated you to keep going with your wellness journey with more confidence.
Also, let me know about your nutrition and wellness struggles in the comments below or fill out my survey. Once I know what bothers you, I will end it.
If you found the article helpful, leave me a comment and share it with your friends. Don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter so you can start thriving while smiling.
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