It is one of the most beloved forms of therapy all around the globe. Remember that time when you had a fight with someone and you went out and bought a pretty but expensive dress on an impulse? And you immediately felt better. Or when you had a bad day at office and a new pair of shoes immediately cheered you up? Congratulations! You were successfully treated by retail therapy; one of the many millions to succumb to its charms.
A majority of the young population has a tendency to go shopping to beat the blues and no economic downturn or recession can erode the popularity of this hobby. Says Keerthana Ravikumar, "I love to go shopping. It does not always have to be something important or expensive. Sometimes I just go and pick up a pair of earrings for Rs 20 from the roadside and immediately feel better. It is all about owning a new thing."
Binin K S agrees. "It is a pleasurable thing to buy that new shirt you wanted or be dressed like you just walked off the ramp. And the advent of online shopping sites has increased the choices available to us." However, he warns about this notion of buying more and more. "It is good to go shopping but everything has to be done in moderation. You should know your finances before sitting down in front of that website and clicking on every product recommendation that the company throws at you."
But while there are dangers of you getting a heart attack when you see your credit card bill at the end of the month, retail therapy does have its benefits. Says Renu Sharma, a counsellor, "Shopping has been shown to relieve stress and anxiety — it is a proven fact. And when there are some momentous occasions happening in a person's life, like a wedding or a pregnancy, buying things is seen as a way of preparing for these changes which in turn will help people feel more control and less anxiety about the unknowns lying ahead. Also, online shopping is like taking a break. Imagine surfing through pictures of beautiful clothes or lovely accessories. It is a relaxing activity that hardly requires any brain work. And if you are in a mall, you can simply soak in the lights and the sound and the ambience. There is no need to buy anything actually; just the fact that you are inside shops can cheer you up."
That is for all of you who were interested in the science behind this. For others, it just proves what they have known all along. "There is something very soothing and delightful about buying new things," says Natasha Muchhala, a professional. "When you buy something for yourself, you treat yourself — a reward for all the hard work you have been doing. And when you walk into office the next day wearing a new top or a gorgeous dress, you feel very confident too."
Keerthana adds a warning note though. "One must remember it is momentary. When you finish shopping, you must remember that your problems will still be there. It should not be seen as some form of escape; that will only wreak havoc with your finances. It should be more like a pick-me-up."
True that. Maybe it is time we tweaked the age old saying to 'when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping'.
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It is one of the most beloved forms of therapy all around the globe. Remember that time when you had a fight with someone and you went out and bought a pretty but expensive dress on an impulse? And you immediately felt better. Or when you had a bad day at office and a new pair of shoes immediately cheered you up? Congratulations! You were successfully treated by retail therapy; one of the many millions to succumb to its charms.
A majority of the young population has a tendency to go shopping to beat the blues and no economic downturn or recession can erode the popularity of this hobby. Says Keerthana Ravikumar, "I love to go shopping. It does not always have to be something important or expensive. Sometimes I just go and pick up a pair of earrings for Rs 20 from the roadside and immediately feel better. It is all about owning a new thing.”
Binin K S agrees. "It is a pleasurable thing to buy that new shirt you wanted or be dressed like you just walked off the ramp. And the advent of online shopping sites has increased the choices available to us.” However, he warns about this notion of buying more and more. "It is good to go shopping but everything has to be done in moderation. You should know your finances before sitting down in front of that website and clicking on every product recommendation that the company throws at you.”
But while there are dangers of you getting a heart attack when you see your credit card bill at the end of the month, retail therapy does have its benefits. Says Renu Sharma, a counsellor, "Shopping has been shown to relieve stress and anxiety — it is a proven fact. And when there are some momentous occasions happening in a person’s life, like a wedding or a pregnancy, buying things is seen as a way of preparing for these changes which in turn will help people feel more control and less anxiety about the unknowns lying ahead. Also, online shopping is like taking a break. Imagine surfing through pictures of beautiful clothes or lovely accessories. It is a relaxing activity that hardly requires any brain work. And if you are in a mall, you can simply soak in the lights and the sound and the ambience. There is no need to buy anything actually; just the fact that you are inside shops can cheer you up.”
That is for all of you who were interested in the science behind this. For others, it just proves what they have known all along. "There is something very soothing and delightful about buying new things,” says Natasha Muchhala, a professional. "When you buy something for yourself, you treat yourself — a reward for all the hard work you have been doing. And when you walk into office the next day wearing a new top or a gorgeous dress, you feel very confident too.”
Keerthana adds a warning note though. "One must remember it is momentary. When you finish shopping, you must remember that your problems will still be there. It should not be seen as some form of escape; that will only wreak havoc with your finances. It should be more like a pick-me-up.”
True that. Maybe it is time we tweaked the age old saying to 'when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping’.
A majority of the young population has a tendency to go shopping to beat the blues and no economic downturn or recession can erode the popularity of this hobby. Says Keerthana Ravikumar, "I love to go shopping. It does not always have to be something important or expensive. Sometimes I just go and pick up a pair of earrings for Rs 20 from the roadside and immediately feel better. It is all about owning a new thing."
Binin K S agrees. "It is a pleasurable thing to buy that new shirt you wanted or be dressed like you just walked off the ramp. And the advent of online shopping sites has increased the choices available to us." However, he warns about this notion of buying more and more. "It is good to go shopping but everything has to be done in moderation. You should know your finances before sitting down in front of that website and clicking on every product recommendation that the company throws at you."
But while there are dangers of you getting a heart attack when you see your credit card bill at the end of the month, retail therapy does have its benefits. Says Renu Sharma, a counsellor, "Shopping has been shown to relieve stress and anxiety — it is a proven fact. And when there are some momentous occasions happening in a person's life, like a wedding or a pregnancy, buying things is seen as a way of preparing for these changes which in turn will help people feel more control and less anxiety about the unknowns lying ahead. Also, online shopping is like taking a break. Imagine surfing through pictures of beautiful clothes or lovely accessories. It is a relaxing activity that hardly requires any brain work. And if you are in a mall, you can simply soak in the lights and the sound and the ambience. There is no need to buy anything actually; just the fact that you are inside shops can cheer you up."
That is for all of you who were interested in the science behind this. For others, it just proves what they have known all along. "There is something very soothing and delightful about buying new things," says Natasha Muchhala, a professional. "When you buy something for yourself, you treat yourself — a reward for all the hard work you have been doing. And when you walk into office the next day wearing a new top or a gorgeous dress, you feel very confident too."
Keerthana adds a warning note though. "One must remember it is momentary. When you finish shopping, you must remember that your problems will still be there. It should not be seen as some form of escape; that will only wreak havoc with your finances. It should be more like a pick-me-up."
True that. Maybe it is time we tweaked the age old saying to 'when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping'.
It is one of the most beloved forms of therapy all around the globe. Remember that time when you had a fight with someone and you went out and bought a pretty but expensive dress on an impulse? And you immediately felt better. Or when you had a bad day at office and a new pair of shoes immediately cheered you up? Congratulations! You were successfully treated by retail therapy; one of the many millions to succumb to its charms.A majority of the young population has a tendency to go shopping to beat the blues and no economic downturn or recession can erode the popularity of this hobby. Says Keerthana Ravikumar, "I love to go shopping. It does not always have to be something important or expensive. Sometimes I just go and pick up a pair of earrings for Rs 20 from the roadside and immediately feel better. It is all about owning a new thing.”
Binin K S agrees. "It is a pleasurable thing to buy that new shirt you wanted or be dressed like you just walked off the ramp. And the advent of online shopping sites has increased the choices available to us.” However, he warns about this notion of buying more and more. "It is good to go shopping but everything has to be done in moderation. You should know your finances before sitting down in front of that website and clicking on every product recommendation that the company throws at you.”
But while there are dangers of you getting a heart attack when you see your credit card bill at the end of the month, retail therapy does have its benefits. Says Renu Sharma, a counsellor, "Shopping has been shown to relieve stress and anxiety — it is a proven fact. And when there are some momentous occasions happening in a person’s life, like a wedding or a pregnancy, buying things is seen as a way of preparing for these changes which in turn will help people feel more control and less anxiety about the unknowns lying ahead. Also, online shopping is like taking a break. Imagine surfing through pictures of beautiful clothes or lovely accessories. It is a relaxing activity that hardly requires any brain work. And if you are in a mall, you can simply soak in the lights and the sound and the ambience. There is no need to buy anything actually; just the fact that you are inside shops can cheer you up.”
That is for all of you who were interested in the science behind this. For others, it just proves what they have known all along. "There is something very soothing and delightful about buying new things,” says Natasha Muchhala, a professional. "When you buy something for yourself, you treat yourself — a reward for all the hard work you have been doing. And when you walk into office the next day wearing a new top or a gorgeous dress, you feel very confident too.”
Keerthana adds a warning note though. "One must remember it is momentary. When you finish shopping, you must remember that your problems will still be there. It should not be seen as some form of escape; that will only wreak havoc with your finances. It should be more like a pick-me-up.”
True that. Maybe it is time we tweaked the age old saying to 'when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping’.