Black Friday Can Be Detrimental to Your Mental Health
America’s favorite shopping day of the year—Black Friday—has become somewhat notorious for bringing out the worst in us during a season that is supposed to be about love and giving back.
If you enjoy braving the crowds to find the best deals, more power to you. But it’s also important to take care of yourself mentally and physically on this day, which can cause a lot of stress, even if you don’t realize it.
Rest up.
For those of you who are strong enough to make it past Thanksgiving dinner without a nap, you’re braver than most. But if you don’t plan on sleeping post-dinner and pre-shopping, prepare for a sluggish trip. It’s best to get at least a few hours of sleep before you venture out to prevent fatigue.
Fuel your body and hydrate.
If you’re heading out the morning after your Thanksgiving meal, your body is likely still processing all of that turkey and stuffing. Be sure to hydrate with plenty of water and a light breakfast—preferably of something nutrient dense like fruit and yogurt instead of something processed. This can help fuel you through your excursion and prevent you from feeling tired.
Set a budget and goals.
Don’t go into Black Friday blindly—you’re guaranteed to get overwhelmed. Most stores advertise their sales weeks in advance so you’ll have plenty of time to prepare. If you plan on stopping at a mall with a variety of stores, scan the map to determine the best path to hit all the stores you want without backtracking. And, if you plan on driving to multiple stores, plan a strategic route that avoids the most traffic.
Decompress when you get home.
A day of shoving your way through crowds and hunting for the best deals is undoubtedly overwhelming, so make sure to take it easy when you get home. Instead of jumping on the computer to browse for online deals or starting the wrapping process, take a break to nap or even just lounge around and rest. You don’t have to be productive every minute of the day, and a much-needed wind-down can actually make you more productive later on.