Guilty Pleasures are Good For Your Health- So Don't Give Them Up. Do These 3 Things Instead.

Last week I did the unthinkable.

My kids were shocked.

I was crying so much my stomach hurt and it was the best experience ever.

I watched Johnny Knoxville- Jackass Forever! It was raunchy. It was crude and I NEVER LAUGHED SO HARD IN MY LIFE!! I was crying so loud my kids thought I was having a psychotic episode.

It was my guilty pleasure- except I didn't feel an iota of guilt. "But Tina, you're a coach you should feed your brain. You should spend your time more wisely"...blah, blah, blah. Really? Says who?

What ever your guilty pleasure is I recommend you don't give it up! We all have guilty pleasures and it's time we cut the guilt from the pleasure.

"Guilty Pleasure" is not even real. It is a construct and highly subjective to societal and gender norms. ??♀? #sorrynotsorry

Let's take a closer look at this construct.

Psychologists have found that guilt is the emotion we experience when we believe we have lost social standing because people won't approve of what we do (this is a story).

Pleasure is something that feels good and something we love (this is fact).

So when we indulge in a "guilty pleasure", unconsciously we are engaging in an activity that we love and the pleasure of it is associated with shame, more than guilt. Then we believe there must be something "wrong" with us (another story).

My friends- THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU- or me! Last time I checked hanging out in your pajamas all day never killed anyone. Neither did binge watching Jackass Forever and laughing so hard you almost pee your pants- (let's keep that part on the down low). ??

You don't need to feel guilty at all. It's time that you break free of the constraints you put on yourself (and society reinforced) and become aware instead.

First of all, just for fun, here are some interesting study results of America's top "Guilty pleasures" according to the New York Post:

? Ordering takeout because you can’t be bothered to cook?— 42 percent

? Falling asleep watching TV?— 41 percent

? Sneaking an extra scoop of ice cream?— 38 percent

? Putting off a task?— 35 percent

? Buying yourself a treat?— 35 percent

? Singing out loud in the car?— 34 percent

?? Staying in your pajama's all day?— 32 percent

? McDonald’s?— 32 percent

? Binging a whole TV show in one day?— 28 percent

? Watching TV all day?— 28 percent

Here are 3 ways to break these societal chains and just do you BOO!

1. Check in with your stories about the pleasurable activity.

Pleasurable activities reduce stress and trigger positive emotions and this can in fact, improve your mental health. It's not the activity that causes the problem, it's the stories you attach to the activity.

Try this when you want to indulge in your pleasure without guilt- or shame

• When you catch yourself saying, "I shouldn't do this?" Ask the question, "Is this hurting me or anyone else? If the answer is, "No" then go for it.
• When you catch yourself saying "What would people think?" Honestly, who gives a rats ass what people think. This is your life, that means your rules.

2. Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing so check in with yourself.

The next time you want to binge your favourite Netflix show ask yourself:

Am I doing this as a form of procrastination?

Do I feel drained after or energized?

What need is this activity filling?

If the pleasure is causing pain by impacting your life you get to look below the surface for other concerns like are you avoiding fear, grief, life? If you're honest with yourself and the answer is yes, try this instead:

• Find a healthier activity that gives you the same pleasure.
• If late night binging is your guilty pleasure ask, "What am I really craving in my life right now?"
• Speak to someone about the disempowering pleasure and get to the source of what needs your attention right now.

3. Your brain needs a mental break so allow yourself to be human and rest- or drink the wine.

Sure, reality TV may not be mentally stimulating but it can be a mindless way to decompress. Notice the norms we attach to what we "should be watching."

Who made up the rules anyway? Sometimes when our jobs are stressful or our life is stressful we just need a good laugh or a good cry and shows can help release strong emotions.

The brain can actually rest and reboot.

Remember: It's all good. You choose.

If your primary leadership style is the Nerd type- you especially would benefit from living life on the edge a bit, breaking the rules and stepping into that vibrant and colourful life you want to live! Take my personality quiz for other tips to live life constraint free.

We all have some activities that we find pleasurable so let's just let go of the guilt and shame we attach to them. When we are able to really do this, you will notice that you will be more in tuned with that inner child. You will find multiple ways to cater to your pleasure and notice the habits disempowering you.

If you feel like your "guilty pleasures" are impacting your life in a negative way and you want to break the patterns and habits keeping you stuck? What are you waiting for? Let's connect! I have so many tools and strategies that will have you guilt free and shame free in no time.

Cheers to your success.

Tina

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Cheers to you and your success.

Tina