Why Investing in Your Wellbeing Outperforms Chasing the Next Dopamine Hit
A calm Evergreen reflection for a season that asks much of us.
Black Friday gets me thinking…
Not about deals, but about the feeling behind them — that quiet rush of maybe this will make me feel better. I've sure been there.
We call it retail therapy, but the truth is most of us aren’t trying to buy things… we’re trying to buy relief.
A momentary lift. A sense of control.
Something shiny that promises to fill the space where anxiety settles this time of year. Have you noticed, it only lasts days or even minutes?
The high fades quickly.
The bags go in a closet. Or in the storage locker ... oh yeah.
The feeling dissolves.
And we’re left once again with our bodies, our energy, our mood — the things no sale can fix, yet everything depends on.
Because the truth is simple:
We don’t need more stuff.
We need support.
The Biology Behind Retail Frenzy (and Why It’s Not Your Fault)
When we chase sales, we’re chasing dopamine — the brain chemical that lights up with anticipation, novelty, reward.
But dopamine is short-lived. It spikes fast… and drops just as quickly, often leaving us more depleted than before. (A lot like blood sugar after the doughnut)
Stress, fatigue, decision overload — they all magnify this reflex.
When we’re overwhelmed, our nervous system seeks quick hits, not long-term nourishment.
Retail therapy isn’t a flaw.
It’s a coping mechanism.
But our biology is asking for something steadier.
What Actually Makes Us Feel Better?
Not a splurge.
Not a discount.
Consistency. Stability. Nourishment.
Support that compounds quietly — day after day — instead of crashing an hour later.
Our wellbeing doesn’t respond to “more.”
It responds to better.
Better recovery, better clarity, better calm, better cellular resilience.
This is where wellness outperforms impulse every time.
Your Body Runs on Ritual — Not Rush
A calm, daily ritual signals safety to the nervous system.
It tells your body:
“You’re supported. You can exhale. You can repair.”
And here’s what the research shows — and why your A+ microdosing protocol is so aligned:
• Phenolic compounds enter the bloodstream within 1–2 hours
• Plasma antioxidant activity rises measurably within that same window
• Higher-phenolic oils produce higher blood phenol levels than standard EVOO
(Cambridge / British Journal of Nutrition)
• Phenols also clear quickly — which is exactly why small, steady doses work best
Your biology doesn’t need more.
It needs continuity.
That’s why 1 ml × 5 times/day is so effective —
it matches the rhythm of how the body absorbs, uses, and clears phenols.
It’s not hype.
It’s human physiology.
Why Investment Beats Impulse
Impulse spends energy.
Investment restores it.
Impulse gives a momentary spark.
Investment builds quiet resilience.
Impulse is dopamine.
Investment is wellbeing.
And unlike a sale, wellbeing doesn’t end on Friday.
It grows with you.
It follows you into December, January, your everyday life —
giving you the energy, clarity, and emotional grounding that make everything else easier.
The greatest gift you can give yourself this season isn’t a bargain.
It’s a body that feels supported and a mind that feels steady.
Most of our families just want us. Not stuff... okay some stuff.
A Gentle Closing Reflection
If you feel the stress of the season rising, you’re not alone.
But you don’t need to match the frenzy.
You can choose nourishment instead.
You can choose the ritual that carries you —
not the rush that drains you.
Invest in what sustains you.
Your wellbeing is the only thing that always gives more than it takes.
To your health and a marvelous holiday season!
Me agapi (with love)
Marilyn