Retail therapy. Why buying stuff feels great … until it doesn’t 

We’ve all been there. You’re having a rough day, and suddenly that $38 candle labeled “Coastal Serenity” feels like the solution to all your problems. And for a little while, it is. Numerous studies show shopping can boost your mood in the short term. According to a study from Stanford University, making purchases activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine, the feel-good chemical. So yes, buying those shoes did make you happier. Temporarily. 

But just like that candle will eventually burn out, so does the emotional high. Research from Cornell University found that while experiences provide longer-lasting satisfaction, material purchases quickly lose their luster as we adapt to them. The joy from your new kitchen gadget fades once it joins its unused cousins in the drawer of broken culinary dreams. 

There’s also a financial downside. According to the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions, emotional spending can contribute to debt accumulation, which creates long-term stress and impacts mental health. You wanted happiness, not monthly payments with interest. Thankfully, they offer seven tips to reduce emotional spending. 

While clutter may spark a brief sense of abundance, it often backfires. A study from UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives of Families, and shared through their article Clutter Culture, observed that high levels of household clutter are linked to increased cortisol, a stress hormone. So that joyful armchair impulse-buy might actually be raising your stress levels while hogging your square footage. 

This isn’t to say you need to get rid of all of your possessions. It’s okay to indulge now and then. Just know that stuff tends to be a short-term mood booster, like a sugar rush for your emotions. If you want longer-lasting happiness, experts suggest investing in experiences, relationships or even a walk outside. 

In the end, a sunset doesn’t require a credit card, and it smells just as nice as “Coastal Serenity.”