CLEVELAND, OH (CLEVELAND CLINIC) - If you find yourself constantly adding new items to your online shopping cart or buying things you really don’t need, you’re not alone. Compulsive shopping can be a common problem. As Susan Albers, PsyD, psychologist for Cleveland Clinic explains, mental health has a lot to do with it. Dr. Albers said when you buy something, the neurotransmitter dopamine is released into your brain, making you feel good. The enjoyment you get is from the experience, not so much the item. She said you can help reduce compulsive shopping through simple behavior modification, like pausing before a purchase. Ask yourself if you really need this item. How will it add value to your life? You should also focus on how you’re feeling. Are you buying something to escape negative emotions? Other tips include deleting shopping apps on your phone and setting a budget.

The school held its second-ever Blessed not Stressed day for junior high and high school students. It started back in 2018 as part of a mentoring program but was so successful that school officials decided to continue it. The teenage years can be tough as the students go through a lot of changes, mentally, physically, and emotionally. So the whole day is geared to be stress-free, and filled with sessions about different outlets that they can use to help melt the stress away.