Retail Health: 5 Ways shopping may actually be beneficial for you

“Retail Therapy”: 5 Ways shopping may actually be beneficial for you

Sarah Khan

03 Oct 2016

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Help with difficult, transitional periods
Shopping can be a rich source of mental preparation and visualisation - as people shop, they naturally visualise how they’re planning to use the products, and in doing so are also visualising their life ahead.
Through making decisions about purchases, it can also help restore a sense of control and reduce sadness - which can be helpful during trying, transitional periods in people’s lives.
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The pleasure boost of aesthetics
One appealing aspect to shopping is the aesthetic and visual experience of it all - the racks of clothing in every colour, or decorative household pieces in enticing patterns and fabrics that arrest the senses.

Recent consumer studies discovered that shopping for creative inspiration was a common reason behind many shopping trips. For many, purchasing an item is not just about simply owning it, but rather a pleasurable, intrinsic appreciation of the craftsmanship and design behind it. This gives people an outlet to express their creativity and way to engage with aesthetics.
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A way to socially connect
Shopping is a universal pastime and can make for a fun social gathering among friends. If there was ever an answer to emotional distress and anxiety, it's human connection.
As social creatures, connecting socially - in this case through mutual tastes or shopping - can be incredibly therapeutic. The existence of numerous online friendship groups based on mutual interests like watch collecting or luxury handbags can attest to the power of retail in bringing people together.
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Outlet for relaxation and escapism
Think 'retail therapy benefits' and words like 'relaxation' and 'escapism' typically top the list of what comes to mind.

In many recent consumer surveys, many increasingly listed shopping - in particular, online shopping - as a form of mental vacation. Relatively mindless and often simply just an online 'window shopping' browsing session that ends without anything being purchased, it's also harmless as well. Short mental breaks like this can also improve performance and decision-making, particularly during tedious and long tasks at work.
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Dressing for success
Another reason that often sends us racing to the stores is a new job, and the pressure to present ourselves well in our new role.
It turns out that dressing well and appropriately not only boosts our confidence, but may actually even help us perform better in our jobs.
In a study published by The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, participants who were given white doctor’s coats were far more accurate on test of attentional focus and concentration (traits associates with physicians) than the control group that simply wore street clothes for the experiment. Shopping for work can therefore not only be great for our self-esteem but also in our careers.

Help with difficult, transitional periods

There might just be some truth to the “therapy” in retail therapy.

Retail therapy: a legitimate therapy or something we tell ourselves to justify our (sometimes guilty) purchases?

Singapore is widely reputed as a shopping destination in the region, with its proliferation of upscale malls and major retail stores. And, if retail trends are anything to go by, Singaporeans definitely do engage in more than the occasional retail therapy.

We all may be familiar with that quick endorphin rush following a shopping trip, but can shopping actually be therapeutic? Therapists do concede that shopping in moderation has its benefits and can soothe the soul in trying times, although it is possible to overdo consumption, the same way with excessive drinking. (Tell-tale signs of excessive, habitual shopping include: feeling guilt after shopping, hiding purchases form your loved ones, and being unable to control your habits to the point you miss work or other important obligations).

Still, while the word “therapy” may not be the best or most accurate way to describe the effects of shopping, research and consumer surveys both point to the fact when done moderately, there are 5 genuinely therapeutic effects of shopping we can all benefit from. Head up to the gallery to see which of them you might relate to!

Sarah Khan

Photos: Getty Images

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