Retail therapy damages anxiety management
Many of us, as women, spend a lot of money on clothes, shoes and shopping in general. Yet if we are short of money and are managing anxiety over it, shopping for more clothes may be the last thing we need. It can increase our money worries.
Some women, as a hopeful way of managing their emotions, including anxiety, use “Retail therapy”. They feel a bit down or tense so they shop. They shop not because they need new clothes and are having to go naked, or because their clothes are threadbare, it's because they want to feel better.
When you are already short of money “retail therapy” can be retail disaster. It can increase anxiety and generate even more financial problems. The pleasure fix is also often only short term.
It is your emotions you need to learn to manage. If you manage the emotions that lead you to shop, then you could feel better without spending money. When you don’t spend extra money then your anxiety may reduce and your finances may improve.
There are other ways to manage your emotions without shopping or spending money. What can you do instead of retail therapy? Try some alternative cheaper "therapies" to shopping.
One key way to manage your feelings is exercise. When you go shopping it's possible to walk a long way. That part of shopping is good for you, so do it without the shopping.
Exercise has been scientifically proven to shift people's emotions. It is especially good for shifting anxiety, for instance. You don't need to spend money on a gym membership, or fancy exercise gear, you can walk in the fresh air for free.
If you don't feel safe on your own, get a friend, family member or work colleague to go with you. Don't just stroll, pound the streets. Get your heartbeat up, produce some sweat and breathe deeply.
The benefits are enormous. Your emotions can change. Anxiety can reduce. You can become fitter. Also you can see friends at the same time, and all without spending any money.
Another way to avoid retail therapy is to distract yourself when you feel down. Retail therapy is very time consuming, so avoid the temptation to do it by filling your time up with other useful activities that cost you nothing.
Go and find someone you can help. There will be a neighbour, a community group, or an elderly person who would love to have you help them. When you are helping others your mind can be taken off your desire to shop. You will be too busy!
Become absorbed in doing things for others, and in being kind and generous to others. This can help you feel better about yourself and take your mind off any money worries. It doesn’t have to cost you a cent.
The third way you might like to manage your emotions is by writing a journal. Instead of trying to distract yourself from your anxieties and feelings by shopping, sit down with them instead.
In silence acknowledge to yourself how you truly feel. Then write down how you feel. Also, write down why you’re feeling the way you do. Then generate at least twenty ways you could help yourself to feel better; that will cost you nothing.
When you are financially under pressure, spending more money through "retail therapy" will only increase your anxiety and your debts.
Anxiety management is about intelligent emotional management.
Managing anxiety can be done without retail therapy. What options do you have?
Editor
Reader Comments (2)
Jane Cummins
Martin Fields Beach Retreat
We need to have people we can talk to when we have worry and anxiety. Managing anxiety on our own can be difficult. Managing anxiety by spending even more money can be a problem too. Having people we can trust, and who know us well, can be so helpful in managing anxiety and money worries. How lucky your children were. Hope they followed your advice!
Blessings
Rachel.