5 reasons why shopping is good for your mental health

'A man will never love you or treat you as well as a store,' Sophie Kinsella

Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City once said, “Shopping is my cardio.” For the rest of us, it’s ‘retail therapy.’

While there are a lot of people who consider shopping to be a waste of time, many would also say  it relaxes and calms them down. This fun activity is often termed as ‘materialistic’ but who said that materialism is only supposed to be shallow and mean? According to a recent study, shopping can actually be great for one's physical and mental health. As compiled from Pinkvilla, here are five reasons why.



Imagine if someone told you to simply keep walking for a good 30 minutes, what would your immediate reaction be? You'd probably make a face and frown upon the very thought. However, no one thinks twice before walking, aimlessly skimming through all the stores in a mall. Walking for a good amount of time, carrying those shopping bags, is enough exercise for your body and one that works best for it too.

A great distraction



It is called retail therapy for a reason. If you're feeling low or something is bothering you immensely, then you should step out for some shopping. First up, it will take your mind off of whatever is bothering you and that will make you feel slightly better temporarily, if not as a whole.

Makes you more experimental creatively




When you go out to shop, you try on various clothes, accessories and shoes. You make your own combinations, be it in terms of pairing the pieces or putting colours together. Your mind becomes open to things, patterns and there's a major creative wave that takes place in your head, which can help boost your mood.



When you’re through with your shopping, there is a sense of contentment that you have in your heart. You feel at peace. When such a happy and peaceful emotion takes over, you are able to perform better at work too. You dress up in your best clothes and that brings in more positivity, ultimately increasing productivity.

Greater self confidence

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 19: (ITALY OUT; NY DAILY NEWS, NEWSDAY OUT) Isla Fisher is seen on the set of her new movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic " February 19, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Arnaldo Magnani/Getty Images)


When you try different types of clothes, colours, silhouettes and cuts, all of this put together make you feel more confident about yourself. You are more accepting towards your body and this in turn boosts your confidence.

Social bonding 



Shopping is best enjoyed when you step out with your clan. So grab your girls and head to the mall. With Black Friday sales everywhere, we’re sure it’ll do you good!

Have something to add to the story? Share in the comments below.
Load Next Story