Are little treats feeling less exciting? Here’s how to harness small joys

Little treats no longer bring the excitement they once did. What's behind this shift? Experts point to anhedonia - a loss of enjoyment in pleasurable activities - and hypernormalization - the experience of daily life amidst disconcerting societal change. When our usual sources of pleasure start to feel dull, it can lower our well-being.

The issue goes beyond just feeling dissatisfied with life; burnout, compassion fatigue, and doomscrolling also contribute to this state. Yet, joy is crucial for resilience and forward motion. According to activist Adrienne Maree Brown, being able to experience the pleasures of being alive and having agency over one's actions is key to liberation.

But what can be done when depression or prolonged stress take a toll on our capacity for pleasure? While clinical care from a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist may be invaluable, there are ways to bolster one's baseline capacity for enjoyment. Little treats won't fix everything, but here are some expert-backed strategies to help rekindle the excitement.

It starts with anticipation. When we anticipate something pleasurable, our brain releases dopamine - a neurotransmitter that mediates pleasure and motivation. This is why experts say anticipating the treat can produce more dopamine activity than the reward itself. Research suggests that this anticipation mechanism plays a significant role in regulating our pleasure response.

To harness small joys, creating routine around these pleasures can be beneficial. Monotony and steady action may not sound exciting at first, but they can build a foundation that makes bigger bursts of enjoyment possible again. Think of it as the accuracy of our brain's prediction rather than the size of the treat itself that ultimately restores pleasure.

The way to boost pleasure isn't about bigger rewards or willing ourselves to enjoy things more, but by creating a ritual around these treats. For example, starting a Saturday morning ritual at your favorite bakery can make the experience more enjoyable. It's not just about the pastry, but the familiarity and little story you've built around it.

Social connection is also key. "Just buying stuff is not enough," says neurobiologist Dr Anne-Noël Samaha. What we need is to stay connected with other people. Making a standing date with a friend to grab coffee or knock an errand off your to-do list can amplify the emotional payoff.

In addition, learning to savor sparks of joy - or practicing mindfulness - can help us appreciate our pleasures more fully. This involves inviting your attention to rest on the moment and examining it. By understanding our inner workings of pleasure, we can strengthen our resilience.

It's essential to notice when we're using treats as band-aids for bigger problems. Maladaptively seeking comfort in pleasurable activities can reinforce negative thought patterns. Instead, use treats as rewards for solving problems and improving your life. Research suggests that effort can make a treat more satisfying, and this is why it's worth putting in the work.

Lastly, reminiscing about the past and narrating the present can give us a new perspective on our lives. Reflecting on our relationships, accomplishments, and growth can strengthen our sense of belonging and resilience. Conversely, thinking about future generations can help you appreciate the present moment more fully.

By incorporating these strategies into your daily life, you may find that little treats start to feel exciting again - not just as a temporary fix but as an integral part of your overall well-being.

I think we're living in a time where everything is kinda meh all the time... like, even good things can be overrated or feel like a chore? It's like our brains have just gotten used to so much stimulation and stress that it's hard to really enjoy stuff anymore. And it's not just about individual happiness either - it feels like we're all just kinda trudging through life together, you know?

But I'm trying to think of ways to make little pleasures feel exciting again... like, maybe it's about creating these little rituals and traditions around everyday things? Like, starting a Saturday morning routine at my fave bakery or something. And I guess social connection is key too - having someone to share those small joys with makes them way more enjoyable.

It's weird because some people say we need to find inner peace and all that, but for me, it feels like just the opposite... I need to make a plan and put in effort to get what I want out of life. Like, if I'm gonna treat myself, it should be worth it.

ugh i know what u mean when u say little treats dont bring the excitement anymore its like u get so used 2 them thats it they become a thing u do out of habit rn but u need those tiny sparks of joy 2 keep u goin lol and experts r like "hey we got this just anticipate the good stuff" lol not that hard right & making routine around pleasurable activities is key too its not about the size of the treat but more about the ritual behind it like when i take my morning coffee its not just about the taste its about the cozy vibes rn

I'm totally down for trying these little treat hacks, but I gotta say, I'm still super skeptical about them being the silver bullet for bringing back excitement . Like, can we really rely on anticipation to boost our dopamine levels? And what's with all the emphasis on routine and repetition? Doesn't that sound kinda...boring ? I mean, I get it, structure is key and all that jazz, but don't we need a bit more oomph in our lives to shake things up?

I'm so over these fancy new desserts and coffee shops I mean, back in my day, we didn't need all this fuss to enjoy a good treat. We'd just grab an ice cream cone or a bag of popcorn at the movies and be happy . Nowadays it's like everyone's lost their sense of wonder. They're too busy stressing about burnout and depression . I'm all for finding joy in life, but can't we just enjoy the simple things without making them such a big deal?

Life's losing its oomph? Maybe we're just hyper-normalizing ourselves . Need to shake things up, not just our routines ️

i think treating ourselves is actually overrated lol we need to stop trying so hard to be happy all the time and just accept that life is gonna be weird sometimes. those 'treats' are just coping mechanisms for our underlying issues anyway. instead of relying on tiny pleasures, let's focus on doing something that truly fulfills us... whether it's reorganizing our clutter or taking a long walk in nature

so it's like our brains are super good at finding ways to make everyday stuff exciting when we're young and wild lol... but as we get older, things start to feel meh . and it's not just us, everyone's feeling the same way . anhedonia is a real thing now ! anyway, anticipating treats can actually be more fun than the treat itself ... like, if you know you're gonna get ice cream next Saturday, that anticipation alone is already giving you dopamine .
creating routines around our little pleasures can actually help build up to bigger things ... it's not about making it exciting, but more about finding comfort in familiar things . and let's be real, social connection is key ... having someone to share those treats with (or even just grabbing coffee with a friend) makes everything better ️. we need to remember that our pleasures are linked to how happy we feel inside ... so it's not just about the treat itself, but about what we're doing when we have it .

i'm so tired of feeling meh all the time i know we're living in crazy times and it's hard to keep up with everything, but like, can't we just find some joy in the little things? for me, it's gotta be a good cuppa or a sweet treat from my fave bakery (i have this routine down pat on saturdays, and it's literally the highlight of my week ) but seriously, experts say that anticipating treats can actually make us feel more pleasure-y? like, if i know i'm gonna get a pastry on friday afternoons, it'll be so much better than just getting one out of nowhere what do u think is the key to finding joy again in life?

I'm so over this whole "little treats aren't as fun anymore" thing . I mean, what's next? People gonna be like "oh no, I haven't eaten breakfast in a while, I must be experiencing anhedonia"? And don't even get me started on hypernormalization - sounds like some fancy way of saying we're just too stressed to enjoy the little things . But honestly, if you're feeling down, maybe it's because you've been stuck in a rut and need to shake things up. Just try something new, meet a friend for coffee, or take that solo trip you've been putting off. It's not rocket science , and I'm not gonna sugarcoat it - life's too short to waste on boredom .

I'm loving this article! It's so true that when our usual pleasures become boring, it can affect our mental health in a big way. I've noticed myself doing the same thing - feeling like everything is just meh all the time, and then suddenly something small like getting my favorite coffee or seeing a funny meme will bring a smile to my face .

But what really resonates with me is how anticipation can boost our pleasure response way more than the actual treat itself! I mean, who doesn't love looking forward to something delicious? It's all about building that mental excitement before we even get to enjoy it . And creating routines around these pleasures - like making a weekly ritual at my favorite bakery - makes me feel so much more connected to those little treats.

I also love how the article emphasizes social connection as a key factor in boosting our pleasure response . Having someone to share those small joys with just makes it all better! And learning to savor moments, practicing mindfulness... these are like totally underrated superpowers that we can use to turn our lives around.

Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for sharing this awesome article!

I think we're living in a time where our minds are constantly trying to keep up with the chaos around us . We've been conditioned to be always-on, and it's taking a toll on our ability to enjoy the little things. I mean, who needs a fancy vacation when you can just stay home and scroll through social media all day? It's like we're missing out on the art of anticipation - that sweet spot where excitement builds up before the treat arrives. We need to find ways to make those moments count, like creating our own little rituals around pleasurable activities...

I gotta agree with this article . We've been so used to having instant gratification from social media and streaming services that it's weird when things don't seem exciting anymore . It's like, what even is the point of little treats if they're just gonna feel empty ?

And yaaas, expert say "anticipation" is key ! Preparing for something fun can actually give us a rush too . It's all about building that dopamine anticipation mechanism !

But honestly, it's also about creating routines and rituals around our pleasurable activities . Like, my friend has this weekly brunch date at the same spot, and it's just as enjoyable as ever ! And social connections? Forget about it, we need those human interactions to boost our mood !

I think the biggest takeaway here is that pleasure isn't just about individual experiences, but also about how they connect us to others and ourselves . When we take the time to reflect on what truly brings us joy, we can start to rebuild our sense of purpose !