The sheer joy of buying a ‘little something’ for ourselves when we feel down is unparalleled. Be it clothes, books, makeup or gadgets, shopping is a great way to quickly lift up your spirits, isn’t it? This is called retail therapy and it actually has a positive impact on our mental health!
People talk about how retail therapy helped their mental health
Here are some Indians who shared their stories about how retail therapy made their lives much better, brought happiness to them on a bleak day, or generally helped to give a boost to their mental health.
1. Rags-to-happiness
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“I grew up in a not so well-off household. As a child and a teen, I didn’t have the opportunity to buy many things that my friends and peers had in abundance. Now that I have become more successful in life, there is nothing that gives me more joy than buying things for my parents and siblings that they never had while I was growing up. I love seeing their faces light up. It makes me so happy.”
Kalyani M., 32
2. A little gay gift to myself
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“I knew I was gay since I was very young, but my parents have very strong negative opinions on homosexuality. Of course, I was part of the underground scene in college, and then I came to work in Delhi from my small town and became more active in the LGBTQ+ circles. I never had the opportunity to buy gay merch, flags, sex toys, and other small (and big) things, or surround myself with the things that reflect who I am. I can finally express myself in a way that I want to, and being able to use my own money to create a safe space for myself feels so liberating.”
Anonymous, 28
3. Makeup for the mind
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“My parents didn’t let me use makeup. Ever. And I loved it so much. I buy so much makeup now. When the packages arrive, it magically lifts my mood. Every time I fight with my boyfriend or have a bad day, I come back home and get something from my cart. It might not be great for my bank balance, but it has done wonders for my mental health, for sure.”
Rinky B., 26
4. Mental health is where the heart is
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“I always wanted to be an interior designer, but life is not that fair. I became a doctor because of pressure, but that means that now that I’m practicing, I can buy whatever I want. I spend most of my money buying stuff for my home, and I can dress it (the house) up however I want to. I love walking through the aisles of home decor stores, just looking at the beautiful things. I enjoy the creativity it brings out of me. I feel like I’ve become a better, well-rounded person because I have the option of retail therapy.”
Anonymous, 46
5. Therapy more than retail
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“For me, the therapy part, more than the retail part, is what makes me feel better. I feel the distraction and the excitement and the anticipation make my life so much more exciting, not the actual purchases themselves. You can’t buy happiness or comfort or satisfaction with material goods, but the process gives me a chance to balance out my brain chemistry.”
Dhruv G., 29
Retail therapy to battle lingering sadness
A 2014 study from the Journal of Consumer Psychology revealed that retail therapy could effectively make people happier immediately. It also suggested that shopping could help people fight lingering sadness, and this has become more relevant during the post-Covid times.
However, it is important to remember that moderation is key when it comes to most things. Shopping can help you feel like you’re in control of your life, thus boosting your mental health, but ending up with empty pockets is only going to hurt in the long run!
Does retail therapy help you relax and feel in control of your life? Or do you feel worse after binge-shopping over the internet? Let us know in the comments below.
Social and lead image credit: Instagram/anushkasharma and Instagram/priyankachopra
