DAILY life can be extremely stressful, leading to people finding unique ways to cope with its challenges. Perhaps, watching Netflix is a form of release after a hard day of work for some people. Others may need time away from friends and family to debrief after making a difficult life decision and some people may even enjoy “retail therapy” when they’re feeling overwhelmed with emotions. There are many other ways in which we can cope with stress, but I wanted to discuss the latter one mentioned—“retail therapy”. It’s also known as “shopping therapy” and is often used when we refer to anyone who uses commercial shopping to brighten their day or lighten their mood into a positive one. It is also used when the shopper wants to satisfy their compulsive urge. Some shoppers may not even want or need some of the items they purchase; they compulsively buy them for the sake of purchasing them.

In our ways, we’ve developed our unique response and coping strategies to deal with stress and its triggers. Some can be positive, others can be very negative and some can be positive, but if overused—it can ultimately become a negative coping strategy in one’s life. It is important to note that the terms “retail therapy” and “shopping therapy” aren’t forms of psychological therapy. It is, however, described as a psychologically compulsive habit, trait, or dependency. The psychological terminology for such a behaviour is “oniomania”, which refers to an uncontrollable desire to purchase things. It’s important to note that shopping only gives you temporary or short-term relief from stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health-related issues. It’s also necessary to understand and be aware of and control this desire. Being aware is the first step to helping yourself overcome this dilemma.

Shopping online on Amazon or other shopping avenues (in person or online), frequently shopping after a stressful day is a prime example of retail therapy. As mentioned previously, shopping is only a temporary release. If you’re constantly relying on “retail therapy” with a fixed and average income—what’s going to happen eventually? You may be adding even more unnecessary stressors to your life because an overwhelming number of purchases leads to an increase in the amount of money you end up spending. Psychologists suggest that you try to replace “retail therapy” if you notice it may be more damaging than healing—with a better coping or release strategy such as going to the gym, reading books, or even journaling. If the use of money on unnecessary things is an issue, then you ought to find low-budget or low-cost alternatives. It’s important to note that you can still engage in retail therapy from time to time—by all means, you should treat yourself to something “nice” once and far. However, it’s important to note that when you do—ensure that it aligns with your budget, it won’t financially cripple you or your family, or it’s an “unnecessary” purchase that you simply do not need.