Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsDrawbacksTherapy vs. AddictionThe Bottom Line
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Drawbacks
Therapy vs. Addiction
The Bottom Line
Retail therapy doesn’t have to be a guilty pleasure, though. It can be a relaxing, empowering experience on occasion. But it is also important to understand how this happy habit can become problematic.
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Retail Therapy Benefits
Retail therapy is an emotionally driven act of buying for pleasure. It is a way to ease distress or enjoy doing and having something different. There is limited research on the benefits of retail therapy, but mental health experts have learned a few things about shopping for fun.
Benefits of retail therapy include:
Retail Therapy Drawbacks
Too much of a good thing can become harmful for some people. Retail therapy can easily go overboard, taking your money, time, and energy away from what really matters.
Drawbacks include:
Retail Therapy vs. Shopping Addiction
Retail therapy involves shopping to soothe or lift your mood. The term “retail therapy” can get confused with “shopping addiction,” but they have different meanings.
During retail therapy, you are in control of your spending and feel satisfied with your decision to buy or not to buy. Shopping addiction makes you want to keep buying things, even if you know you shouldn’t.
Buyer’s remorse—a sense of regret after making a purchase—usually follows an episode of overshopping. About 6%–8% of shoppers are compulsive buyers.
Signs of Shopping Addiction
There is a fine line between retail therapy and shopping addiction. Here are signs that retail therapy may be going too far:
Similarities Between Retail Therapy and Substance Use DisorderExcessive retail therapy andsubstance use disordershare similar processes, including:Buying things to ease emotional tension or boredomFeeling a “high” with a purchase, then feeling regret almost immediately afterwardHaving a strong urge to buy something new to mask the feelings of regretShopping online makes it easier to hide this behavior, just as people with other addictions try to conceal their actions.
Similarities Between Retail Therapy and Substance Use Disorder
Excessive retail therapy andsubstance use disordershare similar processes, including:Buying things to ease emotional tension or boredomFeeling a “high” with a purchase, then feeling regret almost immediately afterwardHaving a strong urge to buy something new to mask the feelings of regretShopping online makes it easier to hide this behavior, just as people with other addictions try to conceal their actions.
Excessive retail therapy andsubstance use disordershare similar processes, including:
Shopping online makes it easier to hide this behavior, just as people with other addictions try to conceal their actions.
Risk Factors
Certain behaviors can indicate a shopping addiction. People at risk are often:
Treatment
It may be hard to acknowledge excessive spending as an illness. Celebrities and social media often celebrate or joke about overspending. However, many mental health professionals see compulsive buying disorder as a type of behavioral addiction or impulse control disorder.
If this is an issue for you, you can learn to manage your shopping urges. Atherapistcan help you uncover your emotional causes and equip you with more helpful coping skills.
HelplineIf you or a loved one is struggling with a shopping addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
Helpline
If you or a loved one is struggling with a shopping addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
Is Retail Therapy Good for You?
Whether retail therapy is good for you depends on your financial and emotional situation.
An occasional indulgence within your means is not normally a problem. However, when shopping becomes your way of proving your self-worth, you may have a deeper issue to address. If shopping triggers more anxiety or endangers your finances or relationships, retail therapy is hurting you.
If shopping has become problematic for you, you may want to search out other ways to increase endorphins and improve your mood.
Healthier Alternatives
Boosting your mood doesn’t always require more shopping. You can activate your “feel good” hormones with these free or low-cost options:
Summary
Retail therapy is an emotionally driven act of buying for pleasure. It is a way to ease distress or enjoy doing and having something different. It may activate neurotransmitters such as dopamine and endorphins that improve your mood.
However, it is easy to get hooked on the rush that comes with shopping for new items. Be aware of unreasonable urges to shop constantly in spite of negative consequences. If you are concerned about your spending habits, talking to amental health professionalcan help.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rick SI, Pereira B, Burson KA.The benefits of retail therapy: Making purchase decisions reduces residual sadness.Journal of Consumer Psychology. 2014;24(3):373-380. doi:10.1016/j.jcps.2013.12.004Atalay AS, Meloy MG.Retail therapy: A strategic effort to improve mood.Psychology and Marketing. 2011;28(6):638-659.Harvard Health Publishing.Endorphins: The brain’s natural pain reliever.Hofmann SG, Hay AC.Rethinking avoidance: Toward a balanced approach to avoidance in treating anxiety disorders.J Anxiety Disord. 2018;55:14-21. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.03.004Adamczyk G.Compulsive and compensative buying among online shoppers: An empirical study. Sudzina F, ed. PLoS ONE. 2021;16(6):e0252563. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0252563Trotzke P, Starcke K, Müller A, Brand M.Pathological buying online as a specific form of internet addiction: A model-based experimental investigation. Franken IHA, ed.PLoS ONE. 2015;10(10):e0140296. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0140296Rose S, Dhandayudham A.Towards an understanding of Internet-based problem shopping behaviour: The concept of online shopping addiction and its proposed predictors.J Behav Addict. 2014;3(2):83-89. doi:10.1556/JBA.3.2014.003Granero R, Fernández-Aranda F, Mestre-Bach G, et al.Compulsive buying behavior: Clinical comparison with other behavioral addictions.Front Psychol. 2016;0. doi:10.3389%2Ffpsyg.2016.00914Koran LM, Aboujaoude E.Treating compulsive buying disorder.Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry. 2014;1(4):315-324. doi:10.1007/s40501-014-0024-3Tolahunase M, Sagar R, Dada R.Impact of yoga and meditation on cellular aging in apparently healthy individuals: A prospective, open-label single-arm exploratory study.Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2017;2017:1-9. doi:10.1155/2017/7928981Bull FC, Al-Ansari SS, Biddle S, et al.World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour.Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(24):1451-1462. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2020-102955Slominski AT, Zmijewski MA, Plonka PM, Szaflarski JP, Paus R.How UV light touches the brain and endocrine system through skin, and why.Endocrinology. 2018;159(5):1992-2007. doi:10.1210/en.2017-03230De Francisco S, Torres C, De Andrés S, et al.Effectiveness of integrative laughter therapy to reduce anxiety, improve self-esteem and increase happiness: a naturalistic study at a day hospital for addictive disorders.IJERPH. 2019;16(21):4194. doi:10.3390/ijerph16214194Farrar AJ, Farrar FC.Clinical aromatherapy.Nursing Clinics of North America. 2020;55(4):489-504. doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2020.06.015Dunbar RIM, Teasdale B, Thompson J, et al.Emotional arousal when watching drama increases pain threshold and social bonding.Royal Society Open Science. 2016;3(9):160288. doi:10.1098%2Frsos.160288Khajehei M, Behroozpour E.Endorphins, oxytocin, sexuality and romantic relationships: An understudied area.World Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2018;7(2):17-23. doi:10.5317/wjog.v7.i2.17
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rick SI, Pereira B, Burson KA.The benefits of retail therapy: Making purchase decisions reduces residual sadness.Journal of Consumer Psychology. 2014;24(3):373-380. doi:10.1016/j.jcps.2013.12.004Atalay AS, Meloy MG.Retail therapy: A strategic effort to improve mood.Psychology and Marketing. 2011;28(6):638-659.Harvard Health Publishing.Endorphins: The brain’s natural pain reliever.Hofmann SG, Hay AC.Rethinking avoidance: Toward a balanced approach to avoidance in treating anxiety disorders.J Anxiety Disord. 2018;55:14-21. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.03.004Adamczyk G.Compulsive and compensative buying among online shoppers: An empirical study. Sudzina F, ed. PLoS ONE. 2021;16(6):e0252563. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0252563Trotzke P, Starcke K, Müller A, Brand M.Pathological buying online as a specific form of internet addiction: A model-based experimental investigation. Franken IHA, ed.PLoS ONE. 2015;10(10):e0140296. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0140296Rose S, Dhandayudham A.Towards an understanding of Internet-based problem shopping behaviour: The concept of online shopping addiction and its proposed predictors.J Behav Addict. 2014;3(2):83-89. doi:10.1556/JBA.3.2014.003Granero R, Fernández-Aranda F, Mestre-Bach G, et al.Compulsive buying behavior: Clinical comparison with other behavioral addictions.Front Psychol. 2016;0. doi:10.3389%2Ffpsyg.2016.00914Koran LM, Aboujaoude E.Treating compulsive buying disorder.Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry. 2014;1(4):315-324. doi:10.1007/s40501-014-0024-3Tolahunase M, Sagar R, Dada R.Impact of yoga and meditation on cellular aging in apparently healthy individuals: A prospective, open-label single-arm exploratory study.Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2017;2017:1-9. doi:10.1155/2017/7928981Bull FC, Al-Ansari SS, Biddle S, et al.World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour.Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(24):1451-1462. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2020-102955Slominski AT, Zmijewski MA, Plonka PM, Szaflarski JP, Paus R.How UV light touches the brain and endocrine system through skin, and why.Endocrinology. 2018;159(5):1992-2007. doi:10.1210/en.2017-03230De Francisco S, Torres C, De Andrés S, et al.Effectiveness of integrative laughter therapy to reduce anxiety, improve self-esteem and increase happiness: a naturalistic study at a day hospital for addictive disorders.IJERPH. 2019;16(21):4194. doi:10.3390/ijerph16214194Farrar AJ, Farrar FC.Clinical aromatherapy.Nursing Clinics of North America. 2020;55(4):489-504. doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2020.06.015Dunbar RIM, Teasdale B, Thompson J, et al.Emotional arousal when watching drama increases pain threshold and social bonding.Royal Society Open Science. 2016;3(9):160288. doi:10.1098%2Frsos.160288Khajehei M, Behroozpour E.Endorphins, oxytocin, sexuality and romantic relationships: An understudied area.World Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2018;7(2):17-23. doi:10.5317/wjog.v7.i2.17
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Rick SI, Pereira B, Burson KA.The benefits of retail therapy: Making purchase decisions reduces residual sadness.Journal of Consumer Psychology. 2014;24(3):373-380. doi:10.1016/j.jcps.2013.12.004Atalay AS, Meloy MG.Retail therapy: A strategic effort to improve mood.Psychology and Marketing. 2011;28(6):638-659.Harvard Health Publishing.Endorphins: The brain’s natural pain reliever.Hofmann SG, Hay AC.Rethinking avoidance: Toward a balanced approach to avoidance in treating anxiety disorders.J Anxiety Disord. 2018;55:14-21. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.03.004Adamczyk G.Compulsive and compensative buying among online shoppers: An empirical study. Sudzina F, ed. PLoS ONE. 2021;16(6):e0252563. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0252563Trotzke P, Starcke K, Müller A, Brand M.Pathological buying online as a specific form of internet addiction: A model-based experimental investigation. Franken IHA, ed.PLoS ONE. 2015;10(10):e0140296. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0140296Rose S, Dhandayudham A.Towards an understanding of Internet-based problem shopping behaviour: The concept of online shopping addiction and its proposed predictors.J Behav Addict. 2014;3(2):83-89. doi:10.1556/JBA.3.2014.003Granero R, Fernández-Aranda F, Mestre-Bach G, et al.Compulsive buying behavior: Clinical comparison with other behavioral addictions.Front Psychol. 2016;0. doi:10.3389%2Ffpsyg.2016.00914Koran LM, Aboujaoude E.Treating compulsive buying disorder.Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry. 2014;1(4):315-324. doi:10.1007/s40501-014-0024-3Tolahunase M, Sagar R, Dada R.Impact of yoga and meditation on cellular aging in apparently healthy individuals: A prospective, open-label single-arm exploratory study.Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2017;2017:1-9. doi:10.1155/2017/7928981Bull FC, Al-Ansari SS, Biddle S, et al.World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour.Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(24):1451-1462. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2020-102955Slominski AT, Zmijewski MA, Plonka PM, Szaflarski JP, Paus R.How UV light touches the brain and endocrine system through skin, and why.Endocrinology. 2018;159(5):1992-2007. doi:10.1210/en.2017-03230De Francisco S, Torres C, De Andrés S, et al.Effectiveness of integrative laughter therapy to reduce anxiety, improve self-esteem and increase happiness: a naturalistic study at a day hospital for addictive disorders.IJERPH. 2019;16(21):4194. doi:10.3390/ijerph16214194Farrar AJ, Farrar FC.Clinical aromatherapy.Nursing Clinics of North America. 2020;55(4):489-504. doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2020.06.015Dunbar RIM, Teasdale B, Thompson J, et al.Emotional arousal when watching drama increases pain threshold and social bonding.Royal Society Open Science. 2016;3(9):160288. doi:10.1098%2Frsos.160288Khajehei M, Behroozpour E.Endorphins, oxytocin, sexuality and romantic relationships: An understudied area.World Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2018;7(2):17-23. doi:10.5317/wjog.v7.i2.17
Rick SI, Pereira B, Burson KA.The benefits of retail therapy: Making purchase decisions reduces residual sadness.Journal of Consumer Psychology. 2014;24(3):373-380. doi:10.1016/j.jcps.2013.12.004
Atalay AS, Meloy MG.Retail therapy: A strategic effort to improve mood.Psychology and Marketing. 2011;28(6):638-659.
Harvard Health Publishing.Endorphins: The brain’s natural pain reliever.
Hofmann SG, Hay AC.Rethinking avoidance: Toward a balanced approach to avoidance in treating anxiety disorders.J Anxiety Disord. 2018;55:14-21. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.03.004
Adamczyk G.Compulsive and compensative buying among online shoppers: An empirical study. Sudzina F, ed. PLoS ONE. 2021;16(6):e0252563. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0252563
Trotzke P, Starcke K, Müller A, Brand M.Pathological buying online as a specific form of internet addiction: A model-based experimental investigation. Franken IHA, ed.PLoS ONE. 2015;10(10):e0140296. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0140296
Rose S, Dhandayudham A.Towards an understanding of Internet-based problem shopping behaviour: The concept of online shopping addiction and its proposed predictors.J Behav Addict. 2014;3(2):83-89. doi:10.1556/JBA.3.2014.003
Granero R, Fernández-Aranda F, Mestre-Bach G, et al.Compulsive buying behavior: Clinical comparison with other behavioral addictions.Front Psychol. 2016;0. doi:10.3389%2Ffpsyg.2016.00914
Koran LM, Aboujaoude E.Treating compulsive buying disorder.Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry. 2014;1(4):315-324. doi:10.1007/s40501-014-0024-3
Tolahunase M, Sagar R, Dada R.Impact of yoga and meditation on cellular aging in apparently healthy individuals: A prospective, open-label single-arm exploratory study.Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2017;2017:1-9. doi:10.1155/2017/7928981
Bull FC, Al-Ansari SS, Biddle S, et al.World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour.Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(24):1451-1462. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2020-102955
Slominski AT, Zmijewski MA, Plonka PM, Szaflarski JP, Paus R.How UV light touches the brain and endocrine system through skin, and why.Endocrinology. 2018;159(5):1992-2007. doi:10.1210/en.2017-03230
De Francisco S, Torres C, De Andrés S, et al.Effectiveness of integrative laughter therapy to reduce anxiety, improve self-esteem and increase happiness: a naturalistic study at a day hospital for addictive disorders.IJERPH. 2019;16(21):4194. doi:10.3390/ijerph16214194
Farrar AJ, Farrar FC.Clinical aromatherapy.Nursing Clinics of North America. 2020;55(4):489-504. doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2020.06.015
Dunbar RIM, Teasdale B, Thompson J, et al.Emotional arousal when watching drama increases pain threshold and social bonding.Royal Society Open Science. 2016;3(9):160288. doi:10.1098%2Frsos.160288
Khajehei M, Behroozpour E.Endorphins, oxytocin, sexuality and romantic relationships: An understudied area.World Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2018;7(2):17-23. doi:10.5317/wjog.v7.i2.17
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