Retail Therapy Myth

Shopping really can lift your mood — but research shows the boost is short-lived, lasting about as long as a candy bar's sugar rush. Within hours, the guilt kicks in, and you often feel worse than before.

The real kicker: stress shopping targets your prefrontal cortex — the part of your brain responsible for rational decisions. When you're anxious or sad, that region goes quiet. Your emotional brain takes the wheel, and suddenly a $200 jacket you'd never normally buy feels like a necessity.