I do this. It does help. Sometimes, I even get into casual, fun(yikes) chats with others in cafes...sit with computer, ....am in one now & just had a friendly talk with future nurses...I will buy myself something I like to eat (when affordable), take a walk, explore, bring camera...always a good excuse for an outing...sometimes I take a train or bus into the city to walk about, go to a museum even.
(of course when I am in the bleakness, I forget that these things help....)