Everyday I receive at least five artistically photographed catalogues urging me to buy jewelry, evening wear, winter apparel, gadgets, cookware and foods. I get advanced sale coupons from department stores flattering me as a “preferred customer.” Commercials on TV and radio have ramped up the must-have-it consumerism. This is the time of year that I worry about my clients who are closet shopaholics – pun intended.
How can you tell if you are a shopaholic? I’m not going to give you one of those typical quizzes where if you check off even one category, you are diagnosed with a problem. And the way the questions are worded, you will surely have experienced at least one of the categories. You and I are both tempted and we succumb occasionally. However, excess shopping might be associated with:
To help control the urge:
Debbie Mandel, MA is the author of Changing Habits: The Caregivers' Total Workout and Turn On Your Inner Light: Fitness for Body, Mind and Soul, a stress-reduction specialist, motivational speaker, a personal trainer and mind/body lecturer. She is the host of the weekly Turn On Your Inner Light Show on WGBB AM1240 in New York City , produces a weekly wellness newsletter, and has been featured on radio/ TV and print media. To learn more visit: www.turnonyourinnerlight.com
How can you tell if you are a shopaholic? I’m not going to give you one of those typical quizzes where if you check off even one category, you are diagnosed with a problem. And the way the questions are worded, you will surely have experienced at least one of the categories. You and I are both tempted and we succumb occasionally. However, excess shopping might be associated with:
- Emptiness where shopping fills the void
- Disappointment becomes a trigger
- Debt or at least a financial drain
- Impulse purchases
- Weight control. If you weren’t shopping, you would be eating to fill up
- Competition as you need to possess what others have
- Quantity as you buy the same shirt in five different colors
To help control the urge:
- Figure out the root cause. What triggers you to go shopping? Keep a log. Distract yourself by calling up friends and maybe going out with them, except don’t go shopping! Don’t even have lunch in the mall. Try exercising because it is a great distraction and will sweat out the desire to shop.
- Write a list of what you need and what you want. Know the difference! Read your list before you make any purchases. Keep checking your list while you shop.
- Stay away from the stores during holiday season. Throw the catalogues in the garbage; don’t open them. Don’t watch shopping channels or go online to shop.
- Shop with cash – no credit cards!
- Gift giving? Don’t use gifts as an excuse to shop. This year become more spiritual and give a part of yourself or donate to charities in your friends’ names. You can create gifts from your spirit self: Bake, garden, knit, paint, write and sing.
Debbie Mandel, MA is the author of Changing Habits: The Caregivers' Total Workout and Turn On Your Inner Light: Fitness for Body, Mind and Soul, a stress-reduction specialist, motivational speaker, a personal trainer and mind/body lecturer. She is the host of the weekly Turn On Your Inner Light Show on WGBB AM1240 in New York City , produces a weekly wellness newsletter, and has been featured on radio/ TV and print media. To learn more visit: www.turnonyourinnerlight.com