Everyone is stressed out these days, but not everyone reacts to stress similarly. A recent report suggests that most people hit the mall to relieve stress and some even ward off potential stress before it happens. Researchers from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University found that “retail therapy” was a common coping mechanism similar to emotional eating.
We asked young professionals to list factors that cause them stress and asked them what they did when they were stressed out. Primary school teacher Parul Sharma believes shopping is every woman’s answer to stress. “Since my husband is my source of stress, I shop to feel good about myself. A new dress is a mood-changer and stress reliever for sure.”
There are those who would rather channelise their stress into something constructive. Public relations professional Aashima Mallik hits the bookstore when stress comes calling. She shares, “For me stress equals lots of books. Even if I don’t read them all, they are in my shopping cart when I am stressed out. And my choice in books are chicklits. A fight with a really close friend, feeling demotivated or cheated are all contributory factors to my stress levels so I find my solace in those books.”
When asked if women splurge more than men, psychologist Dr Geetanjali Kumar says, “That myth is changing today. Men too like to splurge like women.” She adds, “People don’t just hit the malls, but today going to a salon for a pedicure, haircut and massage is being opted for by many. When people spend it’s not planned spending, but a power situation for them. The frustrated, pent-up feeling is replaced by the power to spend and own things, which someone may or may not need. Most often, people end up buying things which they later pass off as gifts.”