7 affordable ways to 'treat yo’ self'

While the pandemic has prevented many people from wanting to travel, mental health experts encourage getting out of your bubble. Enter the staycation. If you live near the coast, take advantage of a beachfront Airbnb. Many rentals run by third-party services have stringent cleaning and safety protocols.

If you live within a few hours’ drive of the mountains, rent a cabin.

No beaches or wooded areas nearby?

No worries. Look into nearby boutique hotels or bed and breakfasts. Studies show that taking time away from your usual routine can help reduce stress, help reset sleeping patterns and help increase your productivity level upon return to real life.

Did you know plants reduce stress and anxiety? Plus, they smell and look good. Sometimes, we can tend to view them as fairly nonessential and only really necessary for special occasions. Consider Treat Yo’ Self that special occasion. Order yourself a bouquet, and send yourself a lovely line of encouragement.

Or, for fun, pick a favorite friend, and treat each other to a surprise floral assemblage.

It will be fun to see how different or similar your arrangements are.

Forget the Instant Pot and pizza night. Treat yourself to a dinner worthy of a king or queen. Check Postmates, UberEats or Grubhub to see what delicious delivery is in your area.

And don’t skimp on the appetizers and dessert. This is your one day to splurge. For an immersive experience, consider pairing your meal with a favorite movie or series. “Under the Tuscan Sun” with Italian cuisine, for example.

Sift through celebrities such as “Parks and Recreation”’s very own Jerry (Jim O’Heir), Flavor Flav, Bruce Buffer, Alyssa Milano, Johnny Damon or Carole Baskin, to name a few, for a just-for-you personalized message.

The next best thing to a video message from your favorite celebrity? How about treating yourself to a previously owned celebrity item on eBay — even those who have passed on? Currently, you can purchase a bra allegedly worn by Scarlett Johansson, a French English Dictionary owned and signed by Hedy Lamarr or a gold check from Evel Knievel’s personal bank account. Just make sure to do your due diligence to authenticate items prior to purchase.

Admittedly, many, many, many people have become very comfortable being ... very comfortable.

And while sweats and yoga pants are perfectly wonderful, sometimes wearing something fun and fashionable can help boost your self-esteem (just ask Tom Haverford).

Many subscription services such as Stitch Fix will provide you with a few items to refresh your look. You can simply order one box, or continue to treat yourself on a regular basis, depending. Fix stylists ask multiple questions about your style preferences and allow you space to include specific requests (like re-creating your prom look from circa fill-in-the-date).

If you’re going to update your closet, you might as well have a place to show off your new duds. Dancing helps release endorphins to boost your mood and even improves cognitive thinking. Hold a mini prom (following social distancing) in your backyard.