Holiday Shopping Is as Stressful as Running a Marathon, According to Research

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Apparently, literally shopping until you drop is possible. Holiday shopping can be as stressful as running a marathon, according to a new study conducted by eBay.

The resale site investigated the physiological responses of 100 shoppers during a 60-minute shopping experience in London. They used a fitness wearable to measure the results.

The research showed that heart rates tend to increase by 33 percent while holiday shopping, which, according to the researchers, is on par with the increase while running a marathon. Fashion lovers have always insisted shopping is a sport, but no one believed that it could be more than just a fun activity — until now.

Shopping isn’t as carefree as it may seem, it can even be hazardous to your health; an astonishing 88 percent of participants experienced tachycardia, which is a faster than normal heart rate at rest.

The findings also showed 60 percent of people hit holiday shopping exhaustion just 32 minutes in! And entire days are set aside for this stuff! After only a half-hour, engagement and interest levels dropped. Women seem to find the annual activity more pressurized than men (67 percent females versus 56 percent males).

The problem could be planning, however; 70 percent of self-identified planners felt more pressure than impulsive and freestyle customers, says the study.

If you think you’re the type of person who would succumb to exhaustion during long periods of shopping but want a successful and healthy gifting experience, opt for a few short shopping intervals instead of full days dedicated to the task.

“The study shows that short bursts of shopping can make you less stressed and potentially more thoughtful in your buying habits this Christmas,” Rhian Bartlett, retail director at eBay, said, according to Daily Mail.

“Bite size browsing, such as taking 10 minutes to shop via mobile on commute or purchasing single items during a lunch break can decrease stress and promote more mindful shopping,” Bartlett concluded.

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