To cheer ourselves up we often make purchases to treat ourselves or to distract ourselves from our negative thoughts. This is a form of retail therapy. To properly define it, retail therapy is the act of shopping in the hope to boost our mood and feel less distressed. So how does shopping actually lift up our mood and is this a healthy coping mechanism? Read more to find out! How does retail therapy work? Just imagine dressing up in the new top you have longed for, and looking hot in it! Or think about the premium sound quality you will get from the latest earbuds! Just these thoughts can make you feel happier because you are envisioning a better version of yourself or a better experience in the future. The process of shopping and browsing catalogues give us many opportunities to have such thoughts, making us think “My situation will only get better!”...