密歇根大学2021年的一项研究显示，购物可以满足人的控制欲，缓解压力的效果是只看不买的40倍，减轻悲伤的效果是其3倍。

According to a study done by University of Michigan researchers, shopping to relieve stress was up to 40 times more effective at giving people a sense of control and that shoppers were three times less sad compared to those that only browsed for items.

购物减压有多普遍

据华盛顿邮报报道，2017年，美国最大金融导流平台Credit Karma对1000多名消费者展开调查。超过半数受访者表示，曾通过冲动消费来缓解压力、焦虑或抑郁，23%的受访者有过刷爆信用卡的体验。

More than half of the 1,000 consumers polled by Credit Karma said they have impulsively shopped to deal with feelings of stress, anxiety or depression. Twenty-three percent of respondents said they’ve maxed out a credit card in the past year.

从年龄来看，68%的千禧一代体验过冲动消费，而X世代和婴儿潮一代分别只有53%和26%的人会通过购物减压。

Millennials, 68 percent, responded by saying they have stress spent in the past, compared to 53 percent of Gen Xers and only 26 percent of baby boomers.

Notes

Millennial：千禧一代（出生于20世纪时未成年，跨入21世纪后成年）
Gen Xer：X世代（出生于1965-1980年）
Baby Boom：婴儿潮（1946-1964年）

从性别来看，48%的男性和31%的女性冲动消费者表示，在压力大的时候会选择买酒；82%的女性和52%的男性选择买衣服；42%的女性和22%的男性选择买珠宝；而44%的男性和30%的女性选择买电子产品。

In regards to genders, 48 percent of men and 31 percent of women who have stress spent said they had purchased alcohol when stressed. Eighty-two percent of women stress spent on clothing compared to 52 percent of men. Women also lead stress spending for jewellery, 42 percent, compared to 22 percent for men with men stress spending more for electronics 44 percent versus 30 percent for women.

为何购物可以减压

医学表明，买买买可以降低血压，维护身心健康。早在上世纪80年代，《芝加哥论坛报》首次半开玩笑地将这种为了调整情绪或精神状态而进行的购物行为命名为“购物疗法”。

In fact, shopping to reduce stress can actually help you live a healthier life by making sure that your blood pressure is lowered. Shopping to relieve stress is also called retail therapy as a form of regulating stress.

Credit Karma的调查显示，82%的冲动消费者并不后悔，甚至很长一段时间内都保有极佳的消费体验感。

The survey found that that 82 percent had only positive feelings about their purchases and that the positive mood boost that followed those purchases was long-lasting.

如何避免冲动消费

然而，对于多数人而言，购物疗法存在副作用，刚开始看似无害，久而久之也许会发展为消耗金钱、引发冲突的强迫心理，从而带来更大的生活压力。

However, the side effect of retail therapy, for many, can start out as a relatively harmless mood booster but could possibly grow into a compulsion that drains finances, causes conflict, and thereby adding a significant amount of stress to a person’s life.

因此，如果不想被购物疗法的副作用影响，就要学会避免冲动消费。以下是几个小窍门：

❶购物清单

可以在购物前列一份清单。买圣诞礼物也好，买日常杂货也罢，购物清单可以帮助你理清思路。如果能够坚持按照清单消费，就可以适当奖励自己：比如顺便买杯咖啡，或者回家以后放松一下。

Prepare a list prior to shopping. Whether you’re purchasing Christmas presents or buying groceries, having the items you need written down will provide you with clarity and order while you’re shopping. Reward yourself for sticking to your list and you’ll be more likely to commit to it: buy a cup of coffee while shopping or plan a fun activity for when you return home.

❷抵制诱惑

想想你最大的开销是什么？在商场买买买？外出吃饭？度假？列出消费明细，才能采取措施抵制诱惑。比方说，如果你周末经常外出吃饭，那就在周五那天往橱柜里屯点食物，以便督促自己在家下厨。

Think about what you struggle with most financially. Do you spend too much money at the mall? Eating out? Vacations? Make a list of where your money is going and take necessary steps to avoid temptations. For example, if you spend too much money on dining out on the weekends, stock your cupboard with groceries on Friday so you’ll be more likely to stay in and cook.

❸减少攀比

别再与邻居、同事或朋友攀比了。大家的经济状况因人而异，决定因素多种多样，但绝对与个人价值无关。攀比不仅耗费钱财，还会降低满足感。与其怨天尤人，不如感恩当下。

Give up the need to keep up with your neighbors, co-workers, and friends. Everyone’s financial situation is different and it’s dependent upon a variety of factors, least of all being one’s self worth. Comparison leads to debt and dissatisfaction with what you already have. Appreciate what you currently have by practicing gratitude.

这样看来，适当的买买买的确可以减压，但还是要以个人的经济状况为前提，如果只因一时冲动而一掷千金，到头来后悔的还是自己。

（来源：中国日报双语新闻）