It is that time of year. BIG SAVINGS! 70% OFF! BEST BLACK FRIDAY DEAL! DOORBUSTERS! Ads blare and bombard us left and right, infiltrating cell phones, billboards, and subway stations. There is no escaping the clamor. In this constant stream of advertisement, it can feel overwhelming or even inspirational to locate the best deal. With the ease and convenience of ordering online, two-day shipping, there is no wonder that Black Friday sales have jumped 23.6% during the previous year with a projected increase this year.
The irony of this day is what lies just the day before; the day of Thanks. Thanksgiving is a holiday solidified in 1863 by President Lincoln to express thanks and gratitude to the Union Army for their victory in the Civil War. Present-day it is celebrated with families and friends gathering together to spend time and have dinner with one another. These times are often accompanied by feelings of gratitude, appreciation, and recognition for what one already has.
Research has shown a strong relationship between feelings of gratitude and its influence on overall wellbeing. These areas include increased positivity, honesty, productivity, and enhanced performance. One research has even shown that practicing gratitude has led to a decrease in impulsive shopping through the increase in satisfaction of life. Gratitude helps to reframe negative memories or feelings that influence pessimistic perspectives. On the contrary, shopping and materialistic have shown to negatively impact happiness and life satisfaction by causing emotional disturbances such as anxiety and depressive symptoms.
During this holiday, rather than hunting for the best deal, why not save a few dollars, stay home, and continue to appreciate the time shared with loved ones.
