Tuesday Tip: Monitor Your Happiness

I have recently been reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.

(It's been fabulous so far!  I highly recommend it.)

Gretchen mentioned something that really struck a cord with me.

Happiness Myth No. 5: A "treat" Will Cheer You Up.

Oh. my. goodness.

As I thought on it, I realized how true this was for me.

When I think of something tasty to eat (typically sweet...and chocolate) my mouth starts to water.  I think of how wonderful that food is and how happy it'll make me feel just eating it. 

And so I treat myself.

At the first few bites, I do get an initial rush of happiness.

But then something funny happens.

It quickly diminishes.

By the time my treat has ended, I've already decided that I want more;  I want to try and extend that happiness.


I'll take more.

And sometimes more.

But as soon as I am done, my happiness rush is over and is replaced by guilt.  And shame.  (And sometimes a stomach ache.)

The happiness is fleeting.  It lasts but a moment and my "treat" is so short lived that within an hour I find myself looking for the next treat to give me another boost.

It DOESN'T truly make me happy.

I've gone back to something that I've done before (and what I realize really works for me).  Instead of handling treats as the urge strikes, I portion out one treat for the end of each day.

As other temptations come along, I find that I can resist them more knowing that I have my special treat waiting for me.

In the evening, I'll put the kids down to bed and I'll sit with my treat.  I try to have less distractions so that I can savor and taste each bite.

Not only do I truly enjoy my treat, but I am happy all day just thinking about it and knowing that I've remained in control and not over-indulgent.

Happy.