Bad news for "retail therapy" seekers everywhere: more stuff won't make you happy. At least, not for very long.
This feels like old news, but it's probably worth repeating the results of a new study anyway. Especially since we're not getting richer, food and gas cost more and we're likely in -- or entering into -- a recession.
Here's the deal: we apparently get used to our stuff rather quickly and it stops making us happy. Although, the same study found that stuff CAN make you happy, it's just up to you to keep appreciating it.
"Simply having a bunch of
things is not the key to happiness," [one researcher] says in a statement. "Our
data show that you also need to appreciate those things you have. It's
also important to keep your desire for things you don't own in check."
Turns out, wanting what you have and having what you want are completely separate things, both of which affect our psychologies.
What do you think? Does shopping boost your mood? Does it last? What do you want that you're just sure is going to make you happy? What do you have that no longer makes you happy?
Photo:
