How can I reward myself that isn't food or alcohol?

[CoffeeAndToffee]

I have always loved to sit down with a coffee and chocolate biscuit or cookie when I got 5 minutes peace from the kids. Recently my weight has crept up and I'm cutting out refined sugar to get back into shape again. However I feel like I'm missing out as I need something to enjoy when I finally get a chance to relax. What can I replace it with?

I still have the coffee, but need something more. It was something I looked forward to and felt was a reward for getting through the day without killing anyone...

Does anyone have a healthy treat they enjoy, perhaps in the evening once getting the kids down and being able to sit down and not be jumped on? Inspire me please!!

i like having these flapjacks with a cup of tea or coffee. they don't have any sugar as they are sweetened with banana and are pretty easy to make x

Flapjacks are quite high in calories tbh.

A relaxing hot bath in the evening can be a good treat. Or a face pack.

They look good! That's the sort of thing I'm after as it will feel like a treat rather than just having an apple or some grapes, thank you!

The bath idea is lovely for the evening, but during the day if I'm grabbing a quick 5 minute breather it wouldn't work.

For literally 5 mins?
Read a book/magazine
Put on hand cream
Browse a holiday destination
Look at some flowers you bought yourself

Frozen grapes are nice

Masturbation?

I use an episode of a TV program

This is a completely different approach. But first drink the coffee, then brush your teeth and reward yourself with a face mask, or a manicure (or simply get in the routine of 'doing' you cuticles), or paint your nails, or have a photo book you are creating, or a cross stitch or anything that isn't food. Break the habit with something else. Have a bath. Watch TV in bed not on the sofa. Whatever it is that works for you.

For the shorter breaks I do

Coffee with a facemask and magazine

Lip balm

Hand cream

Body moisturiser

Burn a nice candle or some essential oils

Bit of TV

Pinterest

Get a beauty treatment, whatever you enjoy most, a blowdry or nails or massage. Buy a new book to read or get one from the library.

If it's a daily treat at home, do a facepack or have a bath with music and a candle, or listen to a podcast you like, or watch an episode of a show you enjoy, or read a book or a magazine or newspaper, or go for a short walk/jog, or stretch out on a yoga mat.

@Tableclothing

Adult colouring books and using glitter gel pens is my favourite way to unwind. It completely clears your mind, it's amazing.

How about:
watching a youtube video of a favourite song or two
reading a poem
doing a sudoku
a couple of levels of Candy Crush (took me ages to realise it's called Candy Crush because it gives you the rush of instant reward without the sugar.)
Read a magazine
face pack
paint nails
tidy up eyebrows
mini manicure/pedicure
play round with your clothes and put them together into outfits you've not worn before.
A few SNL sketches or a half hour comedy
Pinterest - look for decor inspiration
Play around with a bullet journal or bucket list
Research a dream holiday and try to get the best price you can find.
Chat to a friend on Skype or on the phone
Do a 5-8 minute yoga or HIIT online workout. You feel amazing after just a few minutes.

It's something quite short and immediate I'm looking for - you know when you stick on the TV for the kids for a little while just to grab a few minutes peace.

Usually I have treated myself with food (hence the weight gain!) and I suppose I've associated that feeling of finally getting a moment to relax with eating. I need to break that habit, but to do so I need to find something just as appealing.

What works for you? What little treat do you look forward to when you get a quiet moment to yourself? The likes of the face pack or getting a good book that I'll look forward to reading a chapter are the sort of suggestions I'm after and I'll definitely try frozen grapes as well!

Don't feel like you need to elaborate any further on what works for you tableclothing...

Cherries or Raspberries or dried apricots.

Most of the suggestions aren't too helpful when you literally have 5 mins to try and relax at home. They seem to either take much longer than 5 mins, are just healthcare chores or impractical as you can't just sod off for a walk when you have young kids at home.

Do a quick workout from a fitness DVD or on line HITT session. (2 birds no chocolate and burning fat)

There are lots of no sugar recipes on Pinterest, just keep an eye out on the caloric value as no sugar doesn't equal low calorie, you could bake a Bach of something to nibble

Or just sit with your favourite tune on and close your eyes for 5/10 mins,

I just have a cup of tea without food. It makes me happy.

Peppermint tea or a fruit tea? You don't really want biscuits with those.

I really can get that feeling just by sitting down with a cup of tea. I don't need food to feel treated. I do often have a few squares of dark chocolate. It's not too calorific. A jaffa cake is only 45 calories or thereabouts.

Chunk of cheese and a cracker or pickled onion.

I like the Pinterest, or beautiful list making ideas!

You need to decouple the association with food as your reward.

How about when you sit down with your mug you have a notebook and pen to note down how you're feeling, what's gone on in the past 24 hours/what you're looking forward to. That will help you identify what you need - is it soothing, energising, comfort, distraction .?

Or, you might actually be hungry at that point, in which case have a more nutritious snack that includes fibre and protein.