Feeling down? Retail therapy may cheer you up
Next time you are in a low mood, you might want to try some “retail therapy”. Whether you are searching for something specific or just browsing, a visit to a brightly-lit mall with its colourful displays and enticing smells may help to make you feel better. Indeed, the act of choosing an item may also be psychologically beneficial.
According to a 2014 study by researchers at the University of Michigan in the United States, “making shopping choices can help to restore a sense of personal control over one’s environment and reduce residual sadness”.
The authors of another study from 2011 say, “There seem to be positive consequences to buying oneself a small treat; one does feel better.”
Simply thinking about the future, and the enjoyment or fun that a new possession may bring, can be mood-boosting, notes the Cleveland Clinic, in its report on the therapeutic effects of shopping.
4 ways shopping can benefit you
According to American consumer psychologist Kit Yarrow, shopping can benefit you in multiple ways. It can help you to:
Mentally prepare for a new phase of your life, e.g. getting married or having a baby.
Be a source of relaxation – taking a shopping break after doing an arduous task can be relaxing and rejuvenating. Short breaks from work may also improve performance and decision-making. This applies to online shopping as well.
Provide a source of creative inspiration – if you are aesthetically inclined, browsing in stores can be a pleasurable experience and give you creative ideas.
Provide social connection – whether you are shopping with a friend or just out alone, shopping helps you connect with others.
Compulsive shopping is a problem
However, shopping is not beneficial if it becomes compulsive. If you buy things you don’t need and spend money you don’t have, or if you shop because of feelings of worthlessness and a lack of power, you may have a shopping addiction and will need to seek professional help.
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