The holiday season brings a buzz of shopping activity, but it’s essential to recognize when it’s time to put the wallet away. Despite the joy of buying gifts and indulging in sales, experts warn about the potential for negative consequences if spending gets out of hand.
The Addictive Nature of Shopping
Shopping may not be officially recognized as an addiction, but it certainly can act like one, explains Dr. Ashish Bhatt. Excessive holiday spending, if left unchecked, can start impacting your life in more ways than one.
Purchasing items gives our brain a dopamine hit, a “feel-good” chemical, making the act of shopping incredibly satisfying. Dr. Ann-Christine Duhaime points out that our brains’ reward systems, which evolved to ensure survival, are highly stimulated during shopping sprees.
Retailers know how to capitalize on this. They make shopping an irresistible experience, from limited-time deals to emotional advertising, tapping into our deep-rooted desires to connect and belong.
This ancestral drive for survival and community bonding influences our modern shopping habits, especially during the holiday season. The urge to shop, gift, and find deals is deeply ingrained in us.
Click here to discover more about the effects of Internet shopping and how to cut down.
