Over the weekend I indulged in a bit of retail therapy.

There is nothing more therapeutic for me than spending an afternoon strolling the department stores while sipping an iced latte.

Of course, nowadays I shop for the new little man in my life, my nephew. In every shop I entered, I was immediately drawn to the infant and toy departments.

Christmas is right around the corner and one of my favorite things to do is find the perfect present for the loved ones in my life.

According to an article on money.usnews.com, a recent survey by TNS Global found 52 percent of respondents said they’ve engaged in retail therapy. Retail therapy is defined as the act of shopping and spending to improve one’s mood.

Kit Yarrow is a professor of psychology at Golden Gate University in San Francisco and she said that she believes shopping serves as a healthy purpose for a lot of people.

“Do it, enjoy it and don’t overdo it,” Yarrow said in the article.

The article also states that buying new clothing can boost workplace confidence. Yarrow said that retail therapy can be a creative outlet depending on how the person uses the purchase and what it means to them.

I also enjoy people watching when I’m shopping. The embarrassed mom with the screaming toddler, the bored husband asleep outside the fitting room and the women picking out a new hat or sampling perfume.

There are many elements that make shopping worthwhile and therapeutic for me and it does not always involve a purchase.

It’s a time for me to stroll around without a worry in the world for a few hours, find out about the newest fashion trends, meet new people or spend time with friends.

Just remember to always place limits on yourself, so that indulging in retail therapy from time-to-time won’t hurt you financially. Set a spending limit and once it’s met, head on home.