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3 Easy Steps To Breaking Shopaholism

Studies have shown that compulsive spending or shopping addiction is a real condition. It has even been given a name - Oniomania. The condition has been accepted by some organisations for years, and many sufferers have been successfully treated in that time. Those affected get "high" from the experience of shopping as their bodies release endorphins and 'turn on' the dopamine receptors in their brain.

While individuals with more severe cases of the condition may require professional help from groups such as Shopaholics Anonymous, there are many people who may have a very mild case of shopping addiction without even knowing it. For these people, here are a few simple steps to help you change your shopping list from Dolce to Diva.

This really is the key to breaking out of the shopaholic mindset. Once you realise that many of your purchases are things you want, rather than necessary purchases for your survival, you can then begin to cut those purchases out of your shopping.

Just as smokers often need to replace their smoking addiction with something else that is less harmful, shopaholics should also seek out alternative activities to stay busy. Exercise is probably one of the best, since it not only gets your mind off shopping and keeps you healthy, it also becomes a substitute to your addiction. Exercise releases endorphins too, so it will leave you with a similar feeling to that which you would experience while shopping, but without the credit card debt.

Even if it's just the weekly grocery shop, it is essential to make a list of items you need, not want, before you step a foot outside the door. While shopping, remind yourself that anything not on the list is not even an option. Get in, and get out! After a while you'll come to realise that you can survive without all those optional extras you used to casually toss into the shopping trolley, and sticking to your list will become even easier.

If you think you may be more seriously affected by shopping addiction, do seek professional help. The sooner you learn how to curb your spending habits the easier it will be to get your finances back on track.

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