Image Source:Artificial IntelligenceHi everyone, Shalom Aleichem!
Good evening GanSist everyone! 
Welcome to Superwoman Seriesthe 135th. In several previous series, this series has discussed various habits that can strengthen women’s charm, starting from building discipline, avoiding people pleasingmaintaining physical health, and managing consumer behavior. One of the recurring themes in the last few series has been the importance of controlling shopping addiction.
Shopping is not the enemy. Buying things that are really needed is part of everyday life. Problems arise when someone shops no longer because of necessity, but because of emotional impulses that are difficult to control. In psychology, this kind of behavior is known as compulsive buying disordernamely the tendency to buy repeatedly to relieve stress, loneliness, boredom, or other negative emotions. Unfortunately, this feeling of relief usually only lasts temporarily, followed by regret, the emergence of new urges, and ultimately forms a circle that is difficult to break.
The good news is that this urge does not always have to be obeyed. Many studies show that impulsive desires can be reduced if a person is able to divert attention to other healthier activities until the urge subsides.
Here are 8 first aid steps you can try when you start to be tempted to open a shopping application or want to buy something you don’t really need.
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1. Stay at Home and Use the Time to Write an Online Novel
When the urge to shop arises, one of the simplest ways is to reduce exposure to temptation. If there is no urgent need to leave the house, use this time to do productive activities.
One of the interesting options is to write an online novel. Currently there are various platforms that give writers the opportunity to earn income from their work if they meet certain conditions.
Writing not only trains creativity, but also helps distract attention from impulsive urges. In addition, this activity gives a sense of accomplishment because it produces something of value.
Instead of spending money on buying things that you don’t necessarily need, it’s better to use your time to produce work that might actually provide income.
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2. Bring enough money when you have to leave the house
Controlling behavior is often easier to do by managing the environment rather than relying solely on willpower. If you have to leave the house, bring enough cash according to your needs that day. This way, there is less chance of making an impulse purchase.
The same principle can also be applied to credit cards, digital wallets, and shopping applications. The easier access to money, the greater the opportunity to make purchases without planning.
Reducing opportunities does not mean not believing in yourself. This is precisely a self-control strategy that is widely used in behavioral psychology.
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3. Lari Sprint 100 Meter
When the urge to shop appears, the body is actually experiencing an increased urge to seek reward or satisfaction. Physical activity can be a healthy way to divert these urges. One simple example is sprinting for around 100 meters.
Sprinting requires concentration, energy and full focus so that attention is no longer focused on the desire to shop. In addition, exercise helps release endorphins which can improve your mood naturally. Sprinting also reminds us that satisfaction doesn’t always have to be obtained through new items. A fitter body is also a form of self-respect.
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4. Look for science articles, then write them by hand in a notebook
The internet does not only contain shopping promotions. The internet also provides millions of sources of knowledge.
When the urge arises to open a shopping application, try changing the search direction. Look for science articles from trusted sources, then rewrite the important points using handwriting. Writing by hand helps improve attention, comprehension, and memory compared to just reading passively.
Apart from gaining new knowledge, time that might previously have been spent shopping turns into an investment for personal development. Each additional page of notes is proof that the day was filled with studying, rather than impulse shopping.
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5. Learn English
Mastering English is a very useful self-investment. This ability opens up access to books, scientific journals, international courses, job opportunities, and communication with the global community.
When the urge to shop hits, use the time to learn new vocabulary, listen to English podcasts, read simple articles, or practice conversation. Fifteen to thirty minutes of study each day will provide far more lasting benefits than the immediate pleasure of purchasing an item.
The knowledge gained will remain yours, even when fashion and beauty trends change.
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6. Play the Audio of the Religious Talk
For Indonesian women, religious activities can help calm the mind and control emotional impulses. Listening to religious lectures according to one’s beliefs can be an opportunity for self-reflection, remembering the values of simplicity, gratitude, self-control and responsibility in using wealth.
Various studies show that healthy religious practices can help some people deal with stress and improve psychological well-being.
The most important thing is not only listening, but also trying to apply these positive values in everyday life.
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7. Sing a Favorite Song
Music has the ability to influence human mood. Singing favorite songs can help reduce tension, divert attention from impulsive urges, and provide a sense of comfort.
No need to have a voice like a professional singer. The goal is not to take part in a competition, but rather to give the brain the opportunity to have a positive emotional experience without having to buy something.
If possible, sing while doing light activities such as tidying the room or sweeping the house. In this way, two positive activities can be carried out at once.
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8. Use a constructive reward system
Giving yourself credit is not wrong. What you need to pay attention to is the form of the award.
Try making personal rules. For example, you only allow yourself to buy certain items if you have achieved a truly useful target, such as learning to play a musical instrument for several weeks, completing an online course, reading a number of books, or completing a creative project.
In this way, shopping is no longer an escape, but rather a gift given after a process of learning and self-development. Systems like this help the brain associate rewards with effort, rather than momentary impulses.
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CLOSURE
Overcoming a shopping addiction does not mean eliminating all the pleasures in life. On the contrary, the main goal is to increase sources of happiness that are healthier and more meaningful. Write. Exercising. Study. Record knowledge. Sing. Listen to lectures. Develop skills. All these activities not only help divert impulsive urges, but also enrich abilities that will be useful throughout life.
As part of Superwoman Series #135, the message to be conveyed is simple. Every time you have the urge to buy something you don’t really need, stop for a moment. Shift your attention to activities that make you grow. Because, a strong woman is not a woman who can buy everything she wants, but a woman who is able to control herself when temptation comes.
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SOURCE
Black, D. W. (2007). A review of compulsive buying disorder. World Psychiatry, 6(1)14-18.
Koran, L. M., Faber, R. J., Aboujaoude, E., Large, M. D., & Serpe, R. T. (2006). Estimated prevalence of compulsive buying behavior in the United States. American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(10)1806-1812.
Mueller, A., Mitchell, J. E., & de Zwaan, M. (2015). Compulsive buying. American Journal on Addictions, 24(2)132-137.
Ratey, JJ, & Hagerman, E. (2008). Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. Little, Brown and Company.
World Health Organization. (2020). WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. World Health Organization.
Zimmerman, B. J. (2002). Becoming a self-regulated learner: An overview. Theory Into Practice, 41(2)64-70.
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