The psychology of shopping finds various explanations for the psychological dependence on purchases: both the instinct of accumulation and the cult of consumption. But the true mechanisms of this phenomenon are much deeper. And the reason for that is hormones. It has long been proven that shopping supplies the brain with the same hormones as love, sweets or gifts: dopamine - the hormone responsible for pleasure, serotonin - for the state of joy, endorphins - for the state of happiness. Thus, shopping becomes a real antidepressant. But, if the desires do not coincide with the possibilities, do not despair. After all, there are different ways to deceive the body with the least loss.
For example, to treat addiction to shopping, psychologists suggest going on a diet of happiness, including bananas, chocolate, figs, and red fish in your diet. These foods are responsible for the production of serotonin. To get dopamine, you just need to eat something. After eating, it grows at a rapid pace, which, apparently, is the reason for the recommendation not to visit the store on an empty stomach.
Since shopping is nothing more than self-affirmation, you can use one more tip: listen to audio trainings, visit a fitness club, sign up for yoga courses. Take care of yourself and occupy yourself.
An effective way to beat your shopping addiction is to listen to songs that are enjoyable and that increase your joy hormone. The style of music is not important - classical or pop, the effect is important: whether it evokes pleasant associations. And when again pulls into the store - turn on the player and enjoy.
Meanwhile, studies in America claim that women who spend 17 hours a week shopping were slimmer and healthier than women who shop less often and spend less energy on it. In addition, avid shoppers had fewer wrinkles and a younger-looking appearance. It turns out that shopping can be articles and real therapy. And so that he does not turn into a mania, you should adhere to a few simple rules:
1. Conduct an audit in the closet, write out all the contents in a separate list and carry this list in your wallet. This will significantly reduce the likelihood of buying another useless thing.
2. Don't buy anything on the "I want new" principle. The thing should be in style with the rest of the wardrobe.
3. Don't go shopping without eating and alone. In a state of hunger, the desire to increase the level of dopamine increases, therefore, the risk of buying unnecessary things increases significantly.
Without exception, psychologists, without exception, to people suffering from addiction to purchases, recommend keeping receipts confirming the purchase, which will make it possible to return the item, if necessary, back. Fortunately, many shops go to meetings most often.
