Shopping is healthy

Why do men find shopping so boring? I am puzzled as shopping is a great time to have a leisure pursuit, bargain hunt and is actually very healthy.

Not only that but shopping is entertaining; it’s free to look around and is great for all ages. Different shops attract different people and different ages.

Men would easily debate about this concept. Unlike women, men prefer open stores, logical layouts and well-marked sections – easier for them to get what they need and go. Also men prefer shopping for food or a certain hobby stopping every 5 minutes because they are bored or claim to be tired.

It is found that those who shopped daily were 27% less likely to die by a study from 1999 to 2008.  Women who shop are 23% less likely to die over a decade; men on the other hand are 28% less likely to die. In other words because you are developing physically, intellectually and socially you become a healthier person inside and out making shopping a great workout. So men how about you get those shopping shoes on!

Walking around shopping is healthier than going to the gym one reason is because you stay physically active. This is done by walking- at least 20 minutes of walking is great for the body as it strengthens your heart and increases your life span. Women can shop for 2.5 hours, which is 7,300 steps and almost the NHS 10,000 recommended steps per day.

This makes shopping like doing a cardio exercise. It pumps oxygenated blood to vital parts of your body and increases your heart workload. It’s like walking in the park for about 30 minutes burning around 835 calories - you burn more calories when you shop. The metabolic rate of the body depends on the stride and speed of the shopper. Meaning, the faster the shopper walks the more calories the shopper burns. This allows the body to get rid of unwanted fats and excess calories the shopper has.

Secondly, carrying heavy shopping bags keep the person physically active. Instantly, the shopper is a weightlifter with heavy bags and no more money. Place me onto Oxford Street and I would have an empty purse and a taxi full of irrelevant items.  

Do you walk into a shop find what you need and compare the prices of different brands? Well do not worry because many people do the same. You keep healthy when shopping as you have got to think whether this coaster fits on the coffee table with your 200 coasters that have never been used. Similarly you have to think whether you have got the same item before and if you need another one. All of this challenges the brain making you a healthier person.

As well as that, shopping helps to maintain a positive self-image – you feel good about yourself and it brightens up your day and mind.  As soon as you have positive vibes you gain confidence and stress levels decrease. Once this happens your self-esteem increases which leads to a better self-concept. Also it gives the shopper an improved self-understanding – you feel better about yourself because you learn more about yourself.

Lastly, socialisation. Shopping with a friend helps to build a social bond and facilitate communication. You learn more about the other person and prevents loneliness. Also it makes people feel more included in their community, being able to talk to others even if it is just the people working in the store.

Compared with other types of leisure-time physical activity, like formal exercise, which usually requires motivation and sometimes professional instructions. However shopping is easier to undertake, maintain and it is also very fun.

Well I hoped you enjoyed my little rant about shopping.
Have a lovely day.
~JJ~