According to a HealthDay report published this week by IndyStar, a poll of 700 women “found that 79 percent said they’d go on a shopping spree to give themselves an emotional boost.”
The survey author, Karen Pine, refers to it as “compensatory consumption,” and says, “it serves as a way of regulating intense emotions.”
The poll, conducted by the University of Hertfordshire (England), found “about 40 percent listed “depression” and 60 percent listed “feeling a bit low” as reasons to go shopping and overspend. Many of the women said shopping has the power to make them feel better.”
Yeah, until the bill arrives and “buyer’s remorse” sets in.
What might begin as “retail therapy” can become problematic if/when we don’t take care of our emotional and financial well being. The best emotional boosts are the ones that are sustainable and nourish our core.