Your Brain on Retail Therapy
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- Опубліковано 23 чер 2021
- After a bad day, you might feel like you deserve a treat and order that pair of shoes you've had your eye on. But psychologists have wondered if that impulse purchase can end up leaving you feeling more unfulfilled than happy.
Hosted by: Brit Garner
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“Whoever said money can’t solve your problems must not have had enough money to solve it” -true it’s backed by science 😂
Money can't buy happiness, but it sure can get rid of a whole lot of unhappiness. From zero to an upper-middle-class wage, more money pretty reliably results in being happier. Going above that point, though... doesn't seem to help. The benefit stops increasing after a person has enough that they can do the things they enjoy and not have to worry about losing their job or their home.
Money is the only form of control and power we have in capitalism. This is a technical innovation on feudalism, but the reality is that it has made things a lot worse and desperate for most people
All for a ✨single drop of serotonin✨
Very worth it
@waoh3 : Serotonin or dopamine aside, I certainly hope it's less than a drop!
Serotonin? In this economy?!
Can't afford a shopping spree but i Can afford this candy bar, same drop of serotonin lol
That drop, though.
I bought an accordion after my son's death and it made it a bit easier to cope.
Did you get good at playing it?
(Sorry for your loss by the way)
@@tatuvarvemaa5314 i got decent. I already played the piano. I miss that thing. Sadly it was stolen. I appreciate the condolences.
@@nvdawahyaify Sorry for your loss, on both your son and your accordion ❤ I'm glad you were able to find a healthy outlet while you grieved. Mine has been embroidery.
I'm so sorry for your loss 💜💜 I hope you got whatever help you needed and are now in a better place, sending lots of love
I was gonna say: I think (self-) gifts that "keep on giving" are best for these kind of cases. Emotional conduits like musical instruments, art supplies, etc. are the RIGHT way to treat yourself, IMO.
I find myself cheered up with just plain grocery shopping. On my birthday I went looking for a treat to buy and decided that I normally buy all the foods I like. It takes me back to grocery shopping with my Mom when I was a kid. I think that's why I like to bring along one of my kids.
I was not much of a retail therapy person until quarantine, when I stated online shopping far too much.
I really feel this. I often think months about buying something and then when having such a "bad day" i finally get it. Pondering months over this item normally means that i really want it and it's not just an impulsive moment and most of the time i'm happy weeks after, bc i finally got what i was sneaking around for weeks. To be said, this doesn't work with food for me. I nearly every time feel bad, either because the food doesn't taste as great as i had imagined it or just because i totally overeat... i stay with non-edible-treats ;-)
That’s an interesting point - I’m the same way that I think about buying something for ages before going finally through with it - and I don’t feel regret for those because I’ve been thinking it through beforehand. On the other hand, I don’t often deliberate over a food I want for weeks in advance and I feel guilty about food impulsivity a lot more
I thought about that too, I don't get buyer's remorse because it's something I've researched, know where I want to buy it from and its price point and planned on buying *eventually* but decided not to right then for one reason or another. So when I'm having a little retail therapy, I just go ahead and get one of the products on my list!
I had my eye on a ring at Pandora for months up until my birthday (which unfortunately I had to spend in lockdown, which brought my mental health down a lot). After the lockdown, I went and bought that ring and it made me so happy ☺️
I think we're people that stretch out the mental accounting longer than most people looked at in their studies. If we take a long time to fill up the mental meter of how this purchase will benefit us, I think we're in a different category of shopper. After years of not having money to spend I got a lot of good feels about some artwork I got at a long-anticipated convention. I know one artist had his salesman "hat" on at the time, but he pointed out I'd only be doing this sort of buy once a year and to not guilt trip over it. I think there's a lot of guilt over buying because we've got history that buying on credit can sink you. So if you can avoid building a credit debt, have at spending your beer money on something other than beer.
What are your favorite non-edible treats?
i wonder if there's an element of choice paralysis at play here. idk about y'all, but when i indulge in retail therapy, the thing i'm buying will often be something i come across randomly and decide to get for myself. since i'm not actively looking to buy a specific product in such scenarios, i don't go through the process of researching the purchase and stressing over whether i'm getting the best product for my money. for example, if i've set my mind to buying a new lipstick, i'll browse different websites, read reviews, compare prices, etc. but if i'm at the grocery store and i see a lipstick on the shelf that i'd like to buy, there's no worry that i didn't get the best deal or the best shade.
Just as well, since the fine details that tend to get obsessed over are often trivial in the first place.
@@absalomdraconis Like choosing a flavour of porridge
I think there's always risk when you buy something, which could paralyze your decision-making process, and that can make any of us anxious.
Do you think that being able to return an item if you changed your mind would remedy this anxiety?
This is such an eye opener when you think about people having meltdowns in malls because of seemingly insignificant things like the wrong color shirt. If someone is using retail as a way to regain control, then something not going the right way sort of reiterates how little control they really have. Then they just spiral further and further until they end up screaming at a teenage for no reason.
I would have to say: if you're going to buy something out of anger, make sure it is something you can use to take out anger out on... and not a weapon. Venting out stress on something like a bike or kayak is a great way to calm down.
So when I'm angry I shouldn't buy a baseball bat, got it.
welp, i guess i'm just keep buying sh!t to fill the endless void inside me then
I like your username and iconicon
@@philipstuckey4922 thanks, i got it from a journal inside a sofa shop
Wait... I think I recognize that icon design? Though, it might just be super similar to what I am thinking.
OH WAIT! I just noticed that you're a Tim! Which team are you? Jamaican Rice Rat or Reunion Swamphen?
Good. I'd rather you fill that empty void with disposable items rather than producing offspring.
@@trunkuza neither. i did not finish my Get Things Done reading assignment yet, no time for bee'se thing
3:02 I think the conclusion (thus the naturally implied recommendation that follows) of these studies really undermines how much more important it is to address the underlying causes. Sure, you've found yourself an extinguisher to put out the fire every time it happens, but shouldn't you really take a deep dive into what's causing the fire in the first place? And I'm not talking just about changing jobs, partners, and circumstances, but the very way some people have constructed their perception of the world in such ways that they'll keep suffering. A coping person will never be more fulfilled and happier than a thriving person.
Literally the backbone of the economy.
A frightening consequence is that on large scales, you can coerce populations into buying things they don't need by making them feel like they don't have control over their lives.
Sourcing everything for our households from China feels that way.
This past year, and let me be honest most of my life has been tense and stressful. This video gives me a much needed sigh of relief when I make a small purchase to make my life a little more bearable.
Indulging in retail therapy, shopping, or window shopping is definitely one of my favorite ways to relax and definitely puts me in a good mood! ❤
This video dropping after my impulsive Prime Day purchase feels like a call-out.
Missed opportunity to say “Having a bad day? Why not treat yourself to some patreon exclusives?” ;D
This is how shopping addiction starts, this doesn't resemble therapy is more like a self indulgent and impulsive act instead of evaluating the source of your issue, just like taking drugs not necessarily addictive but depends on your mindset when doing it, it's going to work for a while but then you are going to need more of it and can become a habit, this retail "therapy" is rather toxic and backed by consumer culture.
I agree.
I mean...
In context, almost anything can become an addiction. In this context it wouldn’t possibly be that dangerous, as she said at the end: ”with moderation”.
The video did include caveats (like not working with strong or chronic emotions) and distinguishing features between "shopping therapy" and actual shopping addiction (moderation, budget, etc.) for that reason.
@@tatuvarvemaa5314 yeah but that would be just normal shopping again not necessarily addictive, but why call it therapeutic then? if there's not an underlying something that's bothering you and making you feel like you need a "therapeutic purchase"
@@hannahf4584 Theraputic in this context means a psychological releaf, which can be healthy in a modern world where we have as many mental health issues and biological loop holes that get caught in the structures of our sociaty (such as for example working more meaning more succes). A normal shopping spree might not be a releaving experience as much as a mondane task where you try to save and hold back, evaluating and calculating. The kind of shopping discussed in the video is not nesseserally the kind that would be impulsive but could be a momentary choise to buy lets say one new pear of expensive shoes, that one pear of shoes does bring short releaf that our brains crave but an addiction would be alot deeper issue (where your brain would continually crave this sensation to supress something, like permanent stress or some other issue). Theres clearly a difference here just like with a drug user who takes for fun or to belong in a group and a user who is in severe dis-stress. Its how and why that matters.
I find it far cheaper to just stay depressed and embrace all other negative emotions and learn to live with them, far cheaper than perpetual retail therapy.
Take the extra step and realize all you need to be happy is following your actual values (even if it's just to exist) (values = who/what you are)
@@User24x Nope. You need basics for survival too.
@@wuestion9473 You can't follow your values if you're dead. So yeah. No duh.
Difference between retail therapy and compulsive shopping
AH, retail therapy. It's the greatest, isn't it?!
The guilt, though,... The guilt is baaadddd. (I always feel guilty because I can't afford retail therapy. If I could afford it, that would be different.)
Dr okouromi is God sent to cure all kind of illness and disease, I never believed that there's a cure for fibromyalgia I'm a living testimony I was a carrier of the disease now I'm totally cured through his herbal me...
I went to one of my favourite shops and splurged on myself after my mum died in May, it helped a lot! It was all practical stuff that I need and had been putting off because they were expensive. In fact, I got my 2 closest friends a new coffee mug each too lol. But when I'm celebrating something, like passing my full license this month, I'll save up and plan something really good, like taking my family, adult son included, out for lunch 😊
Sorry for your loss of your mom. Hope you're able to make good memories with your son! Take care
Sorry for your loss
Hostess looking sharp as hell. Keep up the good work!
Lol, was wondering if someone was going to comment this, looks like she lost some weight ect..some type of confidence booster.
Not sure if this is technically retail therapy, but I like to promise myself a treat after doing something hard or stressful, like a test in college or an appointment I’m nervous for. I wonder if there’s a psychological difference when you’re “treating yourself” for a specific action rather than just saying “I deserve something nice.”
Isn't that the reason you're treating yourself? Because you deserve it?
I actually have a retail therapy budget. And it works for me really well.
Researching a LOT (weeks, months, or even years) before making my purchases makes me happy.
Would free returns save you time?
If I’ve got the money and I’m buying something to cheer myself I try to do something to look forward to. Like tickets to something, -or less expensive in the short term, I plan on going on a road trip with friends at the end of the year, so occasionally I buy something for that. We’ll need things like extra battery power and sleeping bags and somewhere to keep snacks and maybe matching sunglasses would be fun etc.
well. i think its true that brain is tryng to balance things out but i still dont like retail therapy. first of all it doesnt solve any issues and secondly there are coping mechanism to make you happy for free. for example taking a walk in nature is free and healthy.
We all have what works best for us!
I wish I could do that. I suffer from social anxiety, so going out to buy stuff is super stressfull. Sadly ordering things to my home rarely works either, in fact I have lost so much time, energy and even money doing it that I am afraid to order things to my home at all... (Between bad luck and living on the 6th floor, in the last three years not a single package has made it to my door.)
My version of retail therapy is usually getting a fancy lemonade at the grocery store and then feeling remorse because of the calories...
Well, lemonade is mostly water and citric acid.
I did retail therapy yesterday. I was so happy my fave shop (a Dollar Tree dupe where I live on this planet). I did spent money, but didn't break the bank. I had loads of fun!
That sounds like very successful therapy 😄
I'm in a no-buy year, which means I'm only buying essentials. I'm 6 months in and it's getting easier. We really don't need as much as we think. It certainly helped to move to another continent, all that belongs to us now fits in 5 suitcases and I like living light.
Must be nice to have money, because every time I have to buy something it just causes me a great deal of anxiety. I can't remember the last time I bought something just because I wanted it and not because I needed it.
I'm not sure if it's the same as retail therapy..... But when I was given an allowance by my partner who's been supporting me financially for the past decade while I haven't been able to work.... That was a pretty big improvement to my mood. Having a budget that I could use to get the things I need for projects is like to work on did more to alleviate the symptoms of depression than any therapy or medication ever had. (Even if I'm mainly spending the money on the same things my partner was getting for me anyways.... I'm not even sure if I'm getting more cannabis now.... But I know I have a budget for it so I can better anticipate when I'll be able to get more.... Even though I still rely entirely on my partner for buying anything with this allowance... Even when it's cash in my purse... Cause I don't leave the house by myself unless absolutely necessary... And thankfully those situations aren't common)
1:24 nice
Brit seems so happy and healthy!!!! We love to see it!!!
Nice, love the insight
brit looks so lovely in this video! the blonde hair really suits her and her outfit is so flattering ❤️
I wait when I need something Or really want after research. Then I give myself permission to cheer myself with something. No buyer's remorse and Super Happy for getting a Extremely Good Deal that I want and need.
That's a very good therapy, I think, because you make yourself earn the reward before you enjoy the reward.
I was probably better for my wallet, my waist-line and my liver that Covid Quarantine started during Lent last year. I couldn't turn to "Retail Therapy", chocolate or alcohol to manage my stress at the beginning. By the time Easter came along, I had coping strategies in place that didn't require these things. I indulge in all occasionally but not to an excess.
don't call it a therapy if it isn't one!
one time I had a really stressful semester with science classes, I spent every last cent on makeup and skincare... well at least I got all A's and didn't self destruct 😀
Yay for consumerism, no feel bad only buy.
Oh yes! I do this when I have a bad day and it cheers me up 😊
That opening line of the video had me singing in my head "so you had a bad day, you taken one down, you sing a sad song and you turn it around"
Same, I literally sang it on the first take when we filmed 😂 -Brit
I've certainly done this a few times during this year!
Retail therapy is great!
I'm fascinated by this video. The logical points made seem to both support and contradict my personal experiences with retail therapy in conjuction with my DID. Some system members have made impulse purchases that do make them feel happy, and if the purchased item is something that has genuine value and can help that person contribute to the rest of the system then the positive feelings last. However if it's something that doesn't help anyone else even indirectly then it can cause conflict, as we don't have a lot of money, and the system member may feel bad about making the purchase.
Based on this video. I think maybe we should change things a little. Less conflict or putting someone down for the impulse purchase, more trying to help everyone be aware of the limitations of our savings. Maybe we should have a separate bank account in case someone wants an impulse purchase.
- Jamie
Moderation.. is the best way to live, and the hardest..
Wow, this explains a lot!
This is your brain *points at egg* this is your brain on retail therapy *cracks egg* ANY QUESTIONS!?!
Am I the only one that despise shopping because practically every time the things I like are either extremely overpriced, or have terrible quality despite the price, or have big drawbacks in various terms... like when buying a new PC... terrible built and designed components that are overpriced as hell and made with minerals mined by kids and then made in places closer to sweatshops than factories... also after a couple of months everything becomes obsolete...
I really hate buying things...
I buy something less than $5 after all of my medical appointments. So I have a limit!
Good for you. Medical appointments are often stressful.
Wow! Genuinely surprised to hear, that 'Buyer's remorse', is not really a thing... or at least not much of a one.
Must be just me.
I do this pretty often but in my case isn't because some passing sadness, I have chronic depression.
A big problem among my family members. Mom screwed over everyone by shopping the family into the ground
When therapy becomes an addiction.
Considering what regular therapy costs....
Brit is looking fantastic! I love it when she hosts a video
I find that spending a little more on higher quality food without actually going to a restaurant makes me feel a lot better.
I love good food and preparing it, but it's just not budget-smart for me to do every day. So I treat myself every once in a while. Like buying a top-quality steak to prepare in my own kitchen.
Spending money on materialistic things like technology, cloths or toys is something I haven't found very helpful. But that's me.
Treat Yo Self!
Treat yo self 2021 🎶😎
Nice video! Very informative, as always! I do wonder, though, why they didn't touch on the topic of shopaholism (shopping addiction) in this vid. Has that been disproved as a thing in the later years..?
They did mention compulsive shopping, which is more along the lines of what you're talking about
Dinner and shopping makes me feel better seriously 😎🆒💪👍
I just get excited about receiving packages
Brit, congratz on your weight loss, you look great and I hope you can keep it!
not a massive fan of SSP. But man, what a fantastic work you've put on Brit. You look amazing !! well done you keep it up !!
I have so many things in my saved for later shopping cart, just waiting for that bad day....
Just bought those bread tag earrings from studiocult and they definitely made me happy so
I recently bought their interplanetary earring as a gift to myself, I love it 😍
Well that explains all the (relatively small value) online purchases I made during the past year and a half during all the lockdowns and furlough 😅🤷♀️ It did make me feel better when my world seemed totally unpredictable and out of my own control. Guess if 2022 doesn’t go as badly as 2020 and 2021, I will have to dedicate that year to savings! 😂
What do you think of 2022 so far?
Knowledge is power because how it is utilized by both the private sector providing those goods or services we purchase as consumers AND(&) the public institutions that can regulate what motivates the private sector which is money…money used, made, circulated by the workers who consume those goods and services need quality goods and services for a fair price considering how much they are paid for their work which produces those goods and services
This explains why shopping cheers me up 😂
No, for the stronger emotions like anger or sadness you need liquor Therapy.
Treating yourself too much can lead to a massive hoarding problem!!!
Brit, I love your hair!
(just dropping it here: Brit, this blonde hair looks amazing on you
i was wondering why she looked so extra stunning! 😍
She also looks healthier as well.
Nervous laugh in *broque*
I need to tag my mom in this. 😂🤣💯
I'm very anxious about money and hate spending it, so retail therapy definitely wouldn't work for me
My treat is youtube and reaction videos. Lol.
Speaking of retail therapy - I love that too and would like to buy myself one. 🤔
When I treat myself after a bad day, I feel good
When I treat myself after a good day, I feel TWICE as good (basically _great_ )
Ha!
I must be really weird because I hate spending money..! It almost always makes me feel bad..
Okay wait the study found that people felt good about their purchases 2 weeks later? But that's still not that long-term...
Plus clutter is known to mess with a lot of people's moods, so I personally avoid buying stuff I don't either actually need or seriously want to use in the long-term - being conscious about not impulse-buying is also a way to feel a sense of control 😀
Do girls really mature faster then boys or stop maturing sooner is their a difference between neurological maturity and psychological maturity and how does the sterio type threat play out in all girl schools .
What are the math test scores .
Congratulations on your diet 👏👏👏
watching this after i went to the mall for the first time in a year
Omg I am impulsive and intentional 😭😭😭
I tend to want retail therapy when I'm tired and have worked too hard. Instagram thrift stores or tarot cards for me!
My uncle died and I went to a thrift store to cheer up and unbeknownst to me bought a 3k sterling silver set for $75
Me coming to this video after some weeks of increased retail therapy: They will probably tell me why it happens and the issues it can cause
Brit: It actually helps, Treat yo' Self!
Me: 🙃
So this why a person is like they are well somewhat thanks.
I like Brit's shirt.
meanwhile I get exhausted trying to online shop.
Most people stay in budget??? I doubt most people even have a budget.
Could you link the source for mental accounting?
Curious about it because it is used in our profession as well and it appears we have two different definitions.
Looking to learn, not criticize
TLDR: BUY STUFF!
So, today Steam summer sale started and I should treat myself buying the games I will never play.
Also, way to go Brit, I wish more health to you.
I cant help but feel some admittedly conspiratorial implications to the idea that spending money makes us feel better, in a world where the process of earning that money - for most people - is creating widespread stress and depression. Like, hmm, sounds like a certain kind of person stands to gain an awful lot of wealth from this set of circumstances...
I was just thinking about retail therapy.
Like they say, everything in moderation. Except moderation. You do that all the time.
I feel better now about retail therapy getting me through my finals this semester lol
✨Treat yo’self ✨
I think my mental accountant went shopping...