Various studies have shown that stress can lead to compensatory consumption that manifests itself in various forms, including overspending and overeating.
Does less stress therefore lead to saving money and losing weight? We wish to look at whether by simplifying your life you can help to achieve all three.
One study by Dr. Jordan L. Le Bel from Amsterdam, Exploring the dimensions of food-borne pleasure in popular culture, categorizes experiences into social, emotional, intellectual, physical and sensorial pleasures. The study deals mostly with the consumption of food and alcohol that is unrelated to its nutritional value. The author also outlines the gender differences in compensatory consumption.
A Harvard Business School paper by Dr. Douglas B. Holt and Craig J. Thompson, on the other hand, underlines the compensatory consumption patterns of men under stress.
Dr. Sue Eccles University of Lancaster Business School analyses for the first time woman as addictive consumers and discusses their shopping sprees as a reaction to stress or depression.
Finally, Catherine Hart, Erin Powell and Lauren Wons at the University of Notre Dame look at how social class affects consumption in "Stress and the consumer behavior of buying products or services to offset frustrations or difficulties in life." Powerpoint Version.
Does less stress therefore lead to saving money and losing weight?
Getting out of the rat race and simplifying your life will undoubtedly reduce stress level. This might lead to the conclusion that you will also spend less and possibly lose weight in the process. I am not quite sure whether spending the day drinking piña coladas in the hammock will help in losing weight, but perhaps that is a form of compensatory consumption due to boredom. Maybe worth the risk though!
