Today, excessive consumption of material things is too deeply rooted in people’s habits. The relentless pursuit of more not only damages the environment and the economy but also deeply undermines psychological well-being. Understanding the impact of overconsumption on mental health requires careful study and research as it can potentially change our understanding of happiness and overall prosperity.
Overconsumption in Modern Society
We all live not only in moments of joy but also in constant stress, so worrying about your mental health should be a priority. Depression and anxiety are among the most common problems in modern society.
Balance and stability are crucial for psychological well-being, as an equitable relationship with the external world and inner harmony are essential for inner peace. When we recognize our needs and understand true desires, we easily search for and find ways to solve them. Unfortunately, very often it is difficult for people to adapt to unexpected situations and move away from the list of important goals and cope with stress. This creates an imbalance in a person’s inner world. Due to the imperfection of the situation, people become unproductive and cannot share useful experiences with their environment or make a positive contribution. An obsessive desire to reduce emotional stress and escape from reality is spreading. In addition, there is a reluctance to share personal things with loved ones, to evoke real emotions and feelings such as fear, shame and embarrassment.
Impulse purchases of unnecessary household goods and following new fashion trends can provide tiny moments of guilty pleasure. Also, eating unhealthy food and overusing home delivery services have made our lives easier and more comfortable, giving us a surge of joy and pleasure for a short time.
So many companies successfully use the psychology of shopping, earning millions in income for their corporations. By manipulating buyer behavior, online marketplaces, and offline stores have come up with various tricks that help them push the buyer to spend more money and thus increase their sales. But has anyone thought at this moment what damage we are causing to the environment? And do we need this?
Production facilities are frequently situated in developing countries where labor and wage standards are often disregarded. Issues such as child labor, environmental pollution, and the excessive consumption of natural resources are prevalent, causing significant harm to our planet. It is essential to recognize that human health is directly linked to the environment. Clean water, fresh air, and fertile soil are all vital for human well-being.
The Illusion of Happiness Through Material Wealth
A person lives in society and interacts with it, so it is almost impossible to protect himself from its influence. Here the information space arose, which is now rapidly developing and we are all constantly under its influence. To avoid this influence, we must make excessive efforts.
First, think about it: why do we need industrial technologies such as water supply, centralized heating, the Internet, social networks, smart home technologies, delivery services and online shopping? It would seem that all this should simplify our lives, freeing several hours of our time from the daily monotonous routine. But at the same time, people do not notice this opportunity to recharge their batteries to increase productivity and lose their potential. Otherwise, they become even lazier and fall into the trap of information attacks.
Manipulating our minds through social media affects our mood and psychological state, causing us to lose the feeling of confidence and correctness in making decisions. New trends burst into their life, violating the personal boundaries of their worldview, perceptions, and dreams.
How Can I Learn More About This Information Network?
A 2017 Greenpeace study titled “After the Binge, the Hangover: Insights into the Minds of Clothing Consumers” offered a deep dive into the thoughts and behaviors of clothing consumers.
It states that overconsumption of new trends is a global phenomenon, with up to 50 % of users buying more items than they need and making use of. Through shopping, people gain confidence and satisfaction inspired by social media trends. Shopping has taken over from traditional ways of showing affection because of online gift cards. However, shopping doesn’t truly make people happy, as the excitement is only temporary.
Clients tend to relax and put things off until later to get rid of apathy. Shopping psychology is also influenced by social networks such as Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or WeChat. Impulsive excessive buying causes people to feel tired and restless regularly. This ultimately leads to behavioral and mental problems such as guilt, shame and fear of judgment. The result of the study showed that shoppers often regret their meaningless purchases and wasteful lifestyles. They understand that shopping cannot change their mood forever.
Solutions and Alternative Paths
In The High Cost of Materialism, Tim Kasser offers a scientific explanation of how modern consumer fashion and materialistic lifestyles affect everyday mood and well-being. The author not only mentions and identifies problems but also offers alternative views on how to fix and improve people’s lives.
Some of them are given below:
- Drawing up a list of values and priorities, highlighting the most important things that do not depend on material achievements, such as family, health and self-development.
- Practicing gratitude and appreciating your possessions involves enjoying the things you have.
- Simplify your life by cutting out the clutter and focusing on minimalism. Fewer items means less resource consumption and less time spent caring for them.
- Understanding your real needs. Before you make a purchase, consider whether you really need the item or whether you just want to satisfy a momentary craving.
- Maintaining social connections and relationships with loved ones, as well as participating in social events, can bring more satisfaction than material purchases. Invest time in maintaining and developing personal connections.
- Focus on the meaning and purpose of life and determine what brings you true satisfaction and happiness. Try to focus on achieving these goals without linking joy to consumer purchases.
Overconsumption isn’t just an individual issue – it’s a worldwide trend. Instead of focusing on material excess, it’s more beneficial to develop new habits that reduce the urge to over-consume and encourage emotions rooted in real-world experiences, self-reflection, and relationships with loved ones. Embrace eco-friendly living for a healthier planet and a more fulfilling life.
