This post has been inspired by the one on self-hatred.

On that thread, self-compassion is mentioned as an antidote. I think another one is cultivation of hedonism, a little bit at a time. There is a reason one of the symptoms of schizophrenia is called anhedonia.

So I thought that we could gather and build a list of things to do in cultivating hedonism. Someone already mentioned c-r-e-a-m-y shower gels. I would add luscious foods. For me there are just a few right now but I cherish them. They are: "cream-on-top" maple yogurts, the small yellowish-orange mango variety called Champaigne, and pomegranates. Pomegranates are laborious to open (fill a big bowl with cold water and cut it up underwater, so that the arils descend to the bottom and all the white stuff rises to the top, then skim off the white stuff and drain) but are well worth it for the sheer pleasure. Sure, mangoes probably supply a day's worth of vit A and pomegranates protect against Alzheimer, but that it is now why I eat them. I do know the difference - I eat blueberries just for the antioxidants, with no particular pleasure, and eat meat for iron because it is needed for my recovery from anemia.

Please add on. I know I am very lucky in that (with foods) luscious and healthful coincide, but I hope others can also supply examples of when the most pleasurable is at the same time good for you.