Supermarket Stress
If you dread going to the supermarket, you're not alone. A
number of people consider grocery shopping to be a tremendously
stressful experience. It can tax your mind, drain your
resources, and cause your blood pressure to rise. It is
certainly not surprising, when you consider all of the elements
that are involved in a trip to the local supermarket.
To begin with, negotiating the parking lot can be quite
stressful. You have to deal with a parade of cars going in all
directions. You have to steer clear of shopping carts and
strollers. Pedestrians might jump out in front of your car when
you least expect it. The hazards increase if it is snowing or
drizzling outside.
Once you arrive at the supermarket, you might have difficulty
finding a cart--which can get your shopping trip off to a rough
start. You might be shocked at the prices that you find
plastered on the products that you need. You might also find
that the daily special has run out...there is no one manning the
meat counter...the line for the deli wraps around most of the
store...the store manager is on edge...and the machines at the
self-checkout are broken. All of these incidents can lead to
further stress.
How can you reduce your stress level at the supermarket? For
one thing, you can make it a point to shop at off times.
Shopping early in the morning or late in the evening can help
you to avoid the crowds. You're likely to find the store to be
quite peaceful at that time of day and your shopping experience
should be more pleasant as a result.
As an alternative, you might consider setting aside a block of
time when you can shop leisurely. This might enable you to test
samples, to sip a cappuccino as you make your rounds through the
aisle, and to browse shelves you might have overlooked in the
past. If you put some work into making supermarket shopping a
fun time, you might be surprised at the result.
Another way that you can better manage your time at the
supermarket is by clipping coupons. This will mean that you will
no longer have to spend time circling the supermarket searching
for specials. Also, clipping coupons gives you a sense of
control about your spending. This can make the entire shopping
experience more enjoyable. In addition, you might be pleasantly
surprised at the amount of money you save by using coupons.
While you cannot entirely control what happens to you at the
supermarket, you can control your reactions to various events.
For instance, if you run into a clerk or a cashier that is being
unhelpful, resist the urge to lose your cool. Instead, deal with
the disgruntled employee in a calm, rational manner. You should
notice that your stress level decreases a great deal, once you
have control of your emotions.
If the situation with a supermarket employee becomes
intolerable, be sure to consult the store's manager. He or she
is paid to listen to your concerns and to try to make the peace.
If you don't get satisfaction after talking with the manager,
consider contacting the company's corporate headquarters. While
taking such a step might seem stressful, it will actually reduce
your stress over the long run. If you register a complaint, the
store might actually change its procedures, and you could find
your future shopping trips to be less stressful as a result.
You'll need to also keep calm when dealing with other
customers. People in grocery stores are often in a hurry, and so
they may appear to be rude. A forgiving attitude can help you to
keep your stress level under control even in the most trying
circumstances. Try not to take slights personally. Recognize
that shoppers are human and they may act badly from time to time.
You can't avoid going to the supermarket, even if it is a
stressful experience. Therefore, you must learn to deal with the
stress as best you can. Visiting the supermarket during off-peak
times, trying to save money as much as possible, and keeping
your temper under control can go a long way to cutting your
stress.