Everyone starts thinking about Christmas shopping around this time.
Each person has their own method of organizing things.
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Although it may seem stressful, experts have said that it is actually good for your health.
Kate Nightingale, a psychologist, stated that many Brits will be looking for bargains in the coming Black Friday.
She said: “So-called ‘retail therapy’ has become a modern cliché and yet it is backed by scientific evidence showing that bagging a bargain can contribute to your well-being.
“Doing so releases the feel-good factor as it feeds the brain reward centre.”
Kate said that shopping doesn’t have to be about materialistic things. She also stated that it is good for your mental and physical health.
This is because it can ignite positive emotions in the short term and reduce stress in uncertain times, she said.
Guru said shopping could be a form of escapism for some.
“With this in mind, along with consumers now adapting and taking control of their expenses to moderate the impact of high levels of inflation, the experience of bagging a bargain, will be heightened, and doing so releases the feel-good factor as it feeds the brain reward centre.
Even if you are only window shopping, dopamine levels may rise dramatically.
“It can have a lasting positive impact on mood even lifting lingering sadness thanks to the positive impact on the sense of control, up to 40 times higher when we purchase an item we enjoy,” She added.
According to a 2014 study, shopping can improve our ability to control the environment in which we live.
Write in the Journal of Consumer Psychology experts found that retail therapy not only makes people happier immediately, but it can also fight lingering sadness.
Experts at the University of Michigan Research has shown that purchasing things that you enjoy can give you 40x more control over your shopping habits than simply not buying them.
According to the guru, after-work is the best time to go out and get your Christmas shopping done.
Kate also stated that a Journal of Occupational Psychology study found that short, experiential breaks after work were more efficient in reducing fatigue than longer and less frequent vacations.
The psychological disconnection that these activities offer from work is what she explained is responsible for the reduction in exhaustion. This effect is even more important for those who are under time pressure.
Kate is currently working alongside LondonDesignerOutletShe explained how buying products on deals makes one feel powerful and that the feeling of accomplishment is what really matters.
When you find a lower price than you usually would, it almost feels like you have been “recognised” for your buying prowess.
She acknowledged, however that she still fears the economic risks that Christmas shopping might present.
“As social animals our safety depends on our feeling connected to belonging and community. Many people have been struggling with this basic need in recent years.
“Finding meaningful moments with friends and family, for example, sharing an experience of shopping can alleviate feelings of social isolation and uncertainty, resulting in improved mood and well-being.” Sie said.