Does "retail therapy" work for you?

@cahaya1983 (11121)
Malaysia
December 10, 2017 6:12pm CST
The first time the concept became known to me was when watching a movie or some TV show. I think the scene was about this girl trying to cheer her friend up and said something like "Alright time to make you feel better. Let's go shopping!". Turns out that there is a research that shows shopping - new dress, shoes, whatever - can actually cheer people up and improve their sour mood. Not sure if that would work for me. I guess I'd rather spend the money on comfort food than any other "comfort buy". Get a slice of my favorite carrot cake or something. What about you? Has retail therapy ever worked for you?
21 people like this
22 responses
@rina110383 (24497)
11 Dec 17
No, I don't. I stay home and do chores when I'm stressed or not feeling in the mood.
4 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
11 Dec 17
That reminds me of my roommate back in college! She did the same thing when she was stressed.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (454979)
• Switzerland
11 Dec 17
No, most of the time going out shopping makes me nervous, eating a piece of cake in a quiet cafe, this is the right therapy.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (454979)
• Switzerland
12 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 Many years ago shopping was more relaxed, now it is a cause of stress.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
12 Dec 17
@LadyDuck I'm curious, what exactly is it about shopping that makes you nervous?
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
12 Dec 17
I think so too! I like to enjoy whatever I do, including shopping. Doing it when I'm sad wouldn't make it a fun experience anymore.
2 people like this
@averygirl72 (37544)
• Philippines
11 Dec 17
I like spending money on comfort food and buying essentials for the house. It gives a good feeling
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
11 Dec 17
Yes I think comfort food really works for me, especially desserts.
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
12 Dec 17
I'm rarely stressed, but love to shop when I'm relaxed and don't need anything special, like a mother of the groom gown. lol
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
12 Dec 17
Yeah that's another thing I can't seem to understand, how can people even enjoy shopping for stuff when they feel down? I wouldn't even be in the mood to step inside a mall or shop when I'm sad or stressed.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
13 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 I feel the exact same way as you!
1 person likes this
@just4him (303392)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 Dec 17
You're still spending money, even if it is for food, so that's therapy too. I would say yes, it does, though mostly I just browse.
2 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
12 Dec 17
Yes, I would rather spend money on food instead. If I choose to buy things whenever I'm sad I think I would only end up spending money for a bunch of unnecessary things.
2 people like this
@just4him (303392)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 I would too.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66861)
• Philippines
11 Dec 17
no, i don't do that. if i am sad, which i am no longer now since it will make my heart get bothered if at all, i just sit and watch TV or read posts on FB.
3 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
11 Dec 17
I try to avoid social media when I feel down. Reading some of the posts could make me feel even worse, I think.
3 people like this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
12 Dec 17
@ridingbet I suppose it's hard not to laugh when reading posts like that!
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66861)
• Philippines
12 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 really? i watch the funny posts like "how men having influenza think they are going to die".
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58447)
• Philippines
12 Dec 17
Sometimes it works, other times, it doesn't. I don't do it anymore as I've found working out to be a more effective therapy for me.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
12 Dec 17
That's great! That would give you long-term benefits too, which is even better. For me, taking a stroll outside and enjoying nature would help more in making me feel better than going shopping.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58447)
• Philippines
12 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 We go with what works for us!
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50975)
• Holiday, Florida
13 Dec 17
I think it works for everyone if they have the money. its why I don't believe when people say "money won't make you happy" lol
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50975)
• Holiday, Florida
13 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 that's good too
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
13 Dec 17
It might, at least for people who enjoy shopping and buying new things. I prefer to spend my money on good food and traveling, so spending money on those things make me happy!
1 person likes this
@yanzalong (18988)
• Indonesia
12 Dec 17
Never try that. I think I agree with you.
1 person likes this
@yanzalong (18988)
• Indonesia
12 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 I just buy things I've wanted to buy no matter where they are.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
12 Dec 17
I think it retail therapy only encourages impulsive buying, so I'd rather not do it.
1 person likes this
@lady1993 (27225)
• Philippines
13 Dec 17
well, it can lighten my mood.. but it is quite expensive maybe it will make me sad later
1 person likes this
@lady1993 (27225)
• Philippines
17 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 it isn't bad though, if you have tons of money
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
17 Dec 17
@lady1993 In that case I would choose traveling over shopping!
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
13 Dec 17
Haha that's funny! Good point though, it's a temporary solution that could only make you feel even worse if you overspend!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61050)
• United States
18 Dec 17
I usually do retail therapy with my daughter and it always makes me feel better but it you can't afford to shop, it will kist add to the stress.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
18 Dec 17
Exactly, which is why I think it only works as a de-stressor for those who have the money to spend on shopping.
1 person likes this
@Madshadi (8853)
• Brussels, Belgium
11 Dec 17
I do all my shopping online. It does cheer me up.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
11 Dec 17
I buy things online too sometimes, but usually when I have something specific to buy that's hard to find in the stores.
1 person likes this
@Madshadi (8853)
• Brussels, Belgium
11 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 I let my wife do the offline shopping for me
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
11 Dec 17
@Madshadi Haha well at least you'll be happy when the items get delivered to you.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
13 Dec 17
Doesn't work for me, I regard shopping as a chore.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
13 Dec 17
I only like shopping when I know I need to buy things. But it's definitely not something I would resort to if I feel sad or stressed.
1 person likes this
@Ganma7 (3664)
13 Dec 17
Comfort food or a yummy dessert would do it for me too!
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
13 Dec 17
Yay! I think that's much better than buying new outfits.
1 person likes this
@Ganma7 (3664)
13 Dec 17
@cahaya1983 Me too!
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (133754)
• Roseburg, Oregon
12 Dec 17
It works only if I have saved the money to go shopping.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
12 Dec 17
I understand. It's always better when you have saved, keeps the budget under control.
@marlina (154183)
• Canada
13 Dec 17
No, retail therapy does NOT work for me as I do NOT like shopping at all.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
13 Dec 17
If you don't like shopping then it definitely can't be considered as a therapy for you. It could probably have the opposite effect.
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
12 Dec 17
Sometimes a new outfit can cheer me up or a colourful lipstick, but food also cheers me up, especially sweet stuff. :)
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
13 Dec 17
Good for you! Yes in my case desserts always help to cheer me up too.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40176)
• United States
12 Dec 17
Yes, I love to shop. Well, when I'm well, that is.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
12 Dec 17
Yeah shopping when you're not feeling well isn't fun at all.
1 person likes this
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
12 Dec 17
I wish it didn't! But it does
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
12 Dec 17
Do you tend to buy things you really don't need though, and make impulsive purchases?
• United States
12 Dec 17
I think everyone loves getting new stuff, but the happiness rubs off really quickly.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
12 Dec 17
I think it's a temporary solution too. It makes me happy buying stuff when I need them but I don't really think it would have much effect to alleviate my stress or sadness.