COVID-19-Retail Therapy & Anxiety

During the last three months I have turned to shopping more than ever. Retail therapy for me during this time of social distancing, COVID-19, police brutality and protests, has proven to keep my anxiety under control. Amazon has become my friend of support in this time of social distancing, home schooling, and working from home. I recently read a study that revealed  shopping can improve your mood. Now truth be told, I did not need a study to tell me what was already known to me. What’s remarkable about retail therapy during social distancing is that I have no feelings of guilt.

I have yet to regret a purchase I have made during this season of social distancing. Well…maybe that one purchase. But that’s only because I still have not learned how to knit. However, I do have a really cool set of knitting needles and very colorful wool.

By indulging in retail therapy, I have something to look forward to. Gifts that will immediately boost my mood. When the delivery person drops off my “surprise,” in that moment of unboxing the stress of COVID-19, working from home, and social distancing disappear.

Now I understand in a time when millions of people are without jobs it may not be possible for everyone to engage in retail therapy. And even though I indulge (more frequently than I should), I make sure I’m being fiscally responsible by keeping my purchases within my budget. I mean, it wouldn’t be cool having new pots and pans, colanders in different colors, and coffee mugs with cool sayings if I were homeless.  For those of you who are using retail shopping to relieve stress and anxiety , I’ve provided some tips below that I hope will prove useful to you, as they have for me;

1. Budgeting: By giving myself a monthly budget, I prevent overspending. I ensure all my bills are paid on time and put aside a COVID-19 retail therapy fund. The COVID-19 retail therapy fund goes to all my Amazon purchases. It keeps me happy and ensures I stay out of debt.
2. Wish list It: I have a rule where I wish list something I want but not necessarily need. After 48 hours if the desire to purchase is still great, I’ll get it. Six times out of ten, my desire has changed and in most cases I’ve forgotten about the item altogether.  
3. Meditating: For the past few years I have practiced meditation, and in these unpleasant times we’re living in, meditation has proven to be an even bigger help. If you are new to meditation it may feel strange at first to just sit there. But over time it becomes easier. Meditation helps to lower blood pressure, your heart rate, and stress.
4. Go for A Walk: When you get that urge to browse Amazon (insert your online store of choice), get up and go for a walk. Walk in your neighborhood. If you live in an area that’s not good for walking, drive to the park and take a walk around the park. Or bring a blanket and sit in the grass with a good book. Leave the laptop at home and try not to look at your phone.
5. Journaling: Last but by no means least is journaling. Journaling is my favorite way of reducing stress and ridding my thoughts of all the things that could go wrong. By finding somewhere quiet to sit and write, journaling can help you clear your mind while facilitating problem solving.

I’ve listed what has been beneficial to me, but if you find that you’re still not feeling better over a prolonged period of time, it might be time to switch retail therapy with an actual therapist.