Why does shopping make me feel better

You decide what store to go to, what you like, and whether you purchase it. This small act can make you feel that some sense of order has been restored. Sex and drugs are two ways scientists know we get a release of dopamine; online shopping is another.

Bad news for brick and mortar retailers, good news for all your saved online shopping carts. Some shopping can ease loneliness If someone called you materialistic, you might get offended, but materialism is also an economic theory that can help us think about how we shop.

Shopping can even help you live longer A study of 1, elderly Taiwanese people showed that those who shopped daily had a 27 percent lower risk of death than the least frequent shoppers.

The study even adjusted for overall health, including physical and cognitive function. Although there are positive benefits to your health from shopping, there are a couple of drawbacks to consider. In a study , participants were given prices for items they had been browsing. Doing something we find rewarding lights up the brain's pleasure centre, the nucleus accumbens, which when activated leads to a surge in the release of dopamine the neurotransmitter that makes us feel good, and motivates us to repeat the behaviour.

But it's not what we buy that makes us happy it's the shopping experience and the anticipation of the reward to come. Wanting is far more motivating than needing. Fulfilling those smaller wants has also been shown to be more satisfying and a better predictor of our happiness than saving up to get that one really big thing like a new car.

Queuing up in line to get that latest upgrade for your smart phone or tickets for an Adele concert might feel as if it makes sense at the time, though the thrill of the chase will have dimmed in a few weeks time. Retail therapy is alive and well. Research has shown how buying is far more effective than window-shopping in reducing our funk and restores a sense of control over our life.

We love being addressed by our name, when booking in for a haircut or massage. We buy to influence how others see us. We buy a new outfit to impress that new significant person in our life. You are creating an outwardly projected image of yourself with every item you purchase. Effectively creating the image you want to feels good. We all need food, shelter and clothing, but even outside of the basic needs that we all share you may find that there are things which are necessary for a hobby you enjoy or a trip you are going on.

Having those needs met allows you to reach goals and have unique experiences, which is in turn another kind of satisfaction. Everyone likes having new things every now and again. Whether you want to bring a new look to a room or your wardrobe, shopping to incorporate something new into your life is always refreshing.

This is the most basic thing, which has already been mentioned but is definitely worth mentioning again. Studies have shown that shopping actually causes your brain to release more Serotonin, which is a chemical that makes you feel good! So there you go. The next time you are having a bad day, maybe you can seek a mood boost with a little shopping.