Brits treat themselves an average of 42 times a year – due to having a tough day at work, celebrating payday, or it simply being the weekend.
A study of 2,000 adults found almost one in five (18%) will also treat themselves as a reward for stepping out of their comfort zone – while one in 20 (4%) do so simply to post about it on social media.
Almost nine in ten (86%) of those polled believe it's important to their personal wellbeing to regularly indulge in these little luxuries.
But 45% admitted they are treating themselves less at the moment, due to the cost-of-living crisis.
From buying a bar of chocolate or a takeaway coffee, to splashing out on a beauty treatment and having a lie in, 53% feel happy, 47% feel content, and 25% feel calmer after treating themselves.
And almost a third (29%) reckon people shouldn’t feel guilty for doing something to cheer themselves up or give themselves a boost.
More than half (57%) also feel positive after treating someone else.
And two-thirds agreed they get a “magical” feeling when they receive an unexpected treat from a loved one or friend.
The research was commissioned by comparethemarket.com, which teamed up with Caffe Nero to offer customers 25% off coffee and pastries, twice a day, seven days a week.
Julie Daniels, spokeswoman for the price comparison site, said: “Everyone deserves to feel a little boost – a treat can perk us up when we’re low, or elevate an already good day into a great one.”
Among the most regular treats for Brits were consumable goods – such as a coffee (22%), a chocolate bar (41%), or a meal out (14%).
A further one in five (21%) enjoy something material, including clothes (12%) or a video game (16%).
The “glow” of a treat typically lasts for several hours, according to a third (34%) of those polled, via OnePoll – although 26% reckon they’ll get a thrill for days as a result.
And although many may be being more cautious of their spending due to the current cost-of-living crisis, one in three (32%) have still treated themselves within the past week, and 22% in the past month.
Top 10 things Brits regularly treat themselves to
- Chocolate bar
- Takeaway
- Glass of wine
- Takeaway coffee
- A lie-in
- Video game
- Meal out
- Cake
- Clothes
- Skipping the gym
