Does seasonal depression fuel shopping addiction?

The toxic relationship between our wallets and winter weather. As winter hits, does spending our cash along Northumberland Street really get us out of a funk? For me, one thing I have noticed over the autumn and winter period is the ever-increasing size of my wardrobe.

Whilst feeling somewhat fed up after looking out on another wet and blustery day, I have always found solace in one of my favourite pass times - shopping. Now I must admit, I’m a sucker for getting lost amongst aisles of clothing in all seasons of the year; however, shopping when you are feeling down just hits different.

As other activities such as a trip to Tynemouth or Whitley Bay fly out of the window due to the weather and a walk along the Quayside just isn’t calling your name, the only thing that can truly fill that hole you’ve been feeling for the past couple of days is hitting the charity shops and your favourite stores.

A new outfit brings me all kinds of joy that nothing else can provide and, despite future regret of my now crumbling student budget, my winter blues are always (somewhat temporarily!) forgotten.

The perks of technology these days allow us to get quick blasts of dopamine through our screens, whether that be TikTok or YouTube, it’s truly up to you. But for me online shopping can really give me that boost when I have the hump. Even if I never end up buying anything, I strangely feel more uplifted, even after wasting hours online, accomplishing nothing.

In a way, shopping and social media are the same. When feeling low, these activities give us momentary relief, making way for addictions in all manners of the word. Shopping is a strange concept that brings a certain ecstasy to those who relish time on the highstreets, with its effects being almost like a drug. This burst of bliss that we feel most definitely motivates us to shop more often and when winter arrives in full swing, we focus on what can still prove to be satisfying even when the elements are against us.

The coming of Christmas and all things merry and bright fuels us to participate in the growing consumerism of our world as we shop till we drop with friends and family to make our seasonal blues disappear.