How Shopping Affects Your Mood: The Psychology Behind Retail Therapy

While writing this article I realized how much I personally needed to hear this statement: “Shopping is NOT bad! Careless shopping is the problem.”

Shopping is actually quite good and absolutely necessary when done with purpose. In fact, after a fun shopping trip have you ever noticed how you can have an instant boost in your mood or experience a temporary sense of happiness? Whether it's a new outfit, a piece of tech, or even just some comfort food, shopping can have a profound impact on our emotions and our daily lives.

Retail Therapy: The Uplifting Power of Shopping

Often people turn to shopping as a form of "retail therapy" during times of momentary stress, sadness, or even out of boredom. Retail therapy is the concept that shopping can provide a temporary mood boost and emotional relief. Here is why it works:

• Instant Gratification: Buying something new often leads to a sense of instant gratification. That new purchase triggers the brain's reward system, releasing feel-good chemicals like dopamine. Instant gratification is not bad on occasion, however, it can become a problem if it becomes an everyday expectation.

• Boosting Self-Esteem: Finding an awesome deal or a stylish item that you feel great with can boost your self-esteem and help you feel more confident. For a long time I kept telling myself I couldn’t buy new clothes until I lost a large amount of weight. I was trying to motivate myself but I ended up being frustrated that I couldn’t lose weight very fast and feeling frumpy in my old clothes. I eventually realized it was more practical to reward myself with one new outfit that I felt great in with each weight loss milestone, which has encouraged me to continue to lose weight and keep it off!

• Distraction from Problems: Shopping can serve as a distraction from life's problems and negative emotions. Using shopping as a distraction can actually be good because it allows you to distance yourself from a problem long enough to process your emotions and eventually face that problem with a more level head. A great rule to stick too is to never buy things in anger or frustration. Instead, maybe browse for ideas or find a small comfort thing like a drink or small treat for a little break.

While shopping can have some awesome positive temporary effects on your mood, it's important to be aware of the potential downsides of “retail therapy”, especially when it comes to impulse buying. Some potential downfalls include:

• Buyer's Remorse: Impulsive purchasing can quickly lead to buyer's remorse, a feeling of regret after buying something unnecessary, wasteful, or expensive.

• Financial Stress: Overspending or accumulating debt due to impulsive shopping can lead to long-term financial stress and anxiety. Financial stress can affect not only you but your family as well and can take a bit of time to recover from.

• Clutter and Disorganization: Ever walk into a messy room and instantly feel overwhelmed? Accumulating unnecessary items can lead to clutter and disorganization in your living space, which can negatively affect your mental well-being and even cause daily anxiety.

This is where Purchased with a Purpose comes into play!

Instead of being ruled by the urges to impulse buy, you can practice purchasing with a purpose with mindful shopping to enhance your mood in a healthy and financially sustainable way.

Impulse buying is GOING to happen! But if you set up some safety nets before it happens, you can help set yourself up for some great purchases!

• First I recommend setting a Budget. If I know how much I can realistically spend on purchases in a month then I can stick to that budget without the stress of financial guilt.

• Make a list! I have lists for everything I swear! This list gets pulled out a LOT though! Whenever I find I have a need for something but it isn’t something I necessarily need right at the moment, I add it to the list. When I’m in a mood to shop (for whatever reason) I pull out the list so I can focus my shopping energy into something that can be positive.

• Pause and Reflect. If you feel the urge to make an impulse purchase, pause for a minute and let the idea sink in. Ask yourself if it's something you really need or can use or if it's just a fleeting desire that will become regret?

• Weigh your options. Sometimes I like to ask myself “why am I shopping?” Am I Just bored? Do I have extra money just lying around? (That never happens) If I am shopping and it's not constructive I like to switch gears and shop instead for investments!! What?! Yes, it’s true! I LOVE shopping for stocks to put my money into! It requires research and takes time to do! To this day, I have never regretted purchasing stock instead of another toy to clutter my house.

• Quality over Quantity: even an impulse buy, if done correctly, can lead to a great lifetime choice. Instead of looking for multiple cheap items that probably won't last, I love looking for home goods that will enhance my family’s daily lives and can be cherished for years to come.

While shopping can most definitely be a mood booster, positive experience, and provide temporary relief, there are other activities that can also have a positive impact on your mood without the financial and clutter-related drawbacks:

• Exercise: Physical activity releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. Maybe you still walk around the mall but just window shop this time?

• Socializing: Spending quality time with friends and family can provide lasting emotional support and happiness.

• Hobbies: Engaging in hobbies or activities you're passionate about can be a fulfilling and mood-enhancing experience. Check out our blog post on How to know When to Buy vs. to Make.

Shopping, even impulse shopping, can indeed affect your mood, and understanding the psychology behind it can assist you in making more mindful and positive choices. While retail therapy can provide temporary happiness, it's essential to balance it with responsible conscious spending and even alternative mood-boosting activities. Ultimately, the real key to a healthier and more sustainable approach to all shopping lies in self-awareness and mindful consumption.