With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Black Friday is almost here. It's one of the busiest shopping days of the year and can be a great time to find deals, especially for those hoping to find gifts for the upcoming holiday season.
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While Black Friday can be a great time to find deals and get a jump on your holiday shopping, it can also be a stressful, chaotic day with huge crowds and long lines.
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Some of the best ways to manage your stress while Black Friday shopping is to plan and plan for potential stress triggers that might overwhelm you. Other tips include setting limits on your spending and what you hope to buy, taking breaks when you need them, and putting things into perspective.
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There are also lower-stress options you can consider, like shopping online or planning to take advantage of Cyber Monday deals.
But it can also be a stressful, chaotic day with huge crowds and long lines. If you're like most people, you probably have a mix of feelings about Black Friday. On the one hand, it's a great opportunity to snag some amazing deals on holiday gifts. On the other hand, the crowds and the chaos can be a bit overwhelming.
Whether you enjoy waiting in line at midnight on Black Friday to get the best deals, prefer to shop for deals online, or plan to shop in person during the day, Black Friday can be stressful.
So how can you make the most of Black Friday without losing your cool or overspending?
How to manage Black Friday stress
Here are some things you can do to manage stress during the busiest shopping day of the year.
1. Identify what’s most stressful to you
Every person is different, and each of us has different stress triggers that can send us into a state of overwhelming. For some people, being tired or physically uncomfortable can increase their stress levels. Other people become irritated by overwhelmingly loud noises or not having enough physical space from strangers.
2. Come prepared
Plan your shopping day around potential stress triggers. Consider what triggers are most likely to stress you out and make a plan to counteract them. For example, if feeling hungry is a stress trigger for you, consider packing some snacks to take with you or research where you could stop for a meal break. As another example, if crowds are a trigger for you, consider shopping online or later in the day when crowds will have died down.
3. Plan ahead
You can also plan concerning what items you’re hoping to shop for, people you want to buy gifts for, and what stores you’d like to go to. This can help you stay focused and avoid impulse buys. You can also take your time. There's no need to rush around and try to hit every store in a short time. Prioritize the stores that are most important for you to visit and plan to go to those first. You can always plan to visit other stores another time or check out their deals online.
4. Set limits
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of Black Friday and spend more than you intended or purchase things you don’t need. To set yourself up for success, set limits on how much you want to spend and what you hope to buy before you go shopping. Stick to your plan and try your best not to deviate from it.
5. Follow your energy
Shopping can be exhausting, especially on the busiest shopping day of the year. Pay attention to your energy and if you start to feel overwhelmed, take a break. Step outside for some fresh air, grab a coffee, or even just go sit in your car for a few minutes. If it’s all becoming too much and you feel too overwhelmed, consider whether it’d be best to go home and leave your shopping for later.
6. Put things in perspective
With all of the excitement, it’s easy to become wrapped up in the limited-time deals that Black Friday brings. This can increase your stress levels and make things seem much direr than they are. It's important to take a step back and remember that the things you're trying to buy are just stuff. Your well-being, the well-being of others, and your relationships with other people are always more important.
Lower-stress Black Friday options
If you want to avoid the stress that Black Friday can bring but still want to take advantage of the great deals, here are some lower-stress shopping options you can consider.
Shop deals online
Instead of waiting in line for midnight deals, beat the crowds by shopping deals online. You might find some of the same Black Friday deals you can find in the store on their websites. Many stores offer great deals online, and you can avoid the hassle of fighting for a parking spot and dealing with crowds.
Another advantage of shopping for deals online is that you can do your research before deciding to make a purchase, including making sure you’re finding the best price and ensuring that the item fits with what you’re looking for.
Wait for Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday, which falls on the first Monday after Thanksgiving, has become one of the biggest online shopping days of the year. Many retailers offer deep discounts on their products, sometimes even beating their Black Friday prices.
Waiting for Cyber Monday deals can be a great way to avoid the stress that Black Friday can bring. Cyber Monday can also be a good time to find deals from businesses without a physical storefront!
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