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It’s November so you know what that means: Black Friday is nearly upon us. As some shops gear up for the annual shopping extravaganza (nightmare) and some remain closed due to government restrictions, we have to ask ourselves, “Is Black Friday worth it in 2020?” Let’s investigate and highlight the pros and cons of running out to get the best bargains this holiday season on the biggest and most infamous shopping day of the year.
Black Friday at Home
Americans celebrate Thanksgiving the day prior, a day for remembering all the people and things that they are thankful for, yet only the day after, they flock to stores and get in possible fist fights and in altercations over discounted electronics or other products. Americans are not alone now that most of the western world has adopted the consumerist holiday in order to help bolster sales during the holiday season. In a year where social distancing has been routinely suggested, health officials telling us to only go out for essentials, and stores having various capacity rules for shoppers, shouldn’t we be a little more responsible with our holiday shopping habits?
We live in an age where virtually any product can be found online and even delivered for free in some instances. By shopping online, we can stay comfortably in our pajamas while also avoiding large crowds. Grab your morning coffee, laptop, and find your favorite bargains while curled up in bed. Cyber Monday has gained a lot of traction over the years and will probably be the biggest and safest day of shopping this year edging out Black Friday. There are sure to be some incredible deals online including our own great Emma products, so be sure to keep an eye out if it’s great sleep you’ve been craving.
Sleep Deprivation on Black Friday
Still not convinced, well, have you thought about the effect that Black Friday can have on your sleep? Most stores open extremely early on Black Friday and some don’t close at all, staying open all day Thursday and through the night until Friday, depending on your country. In order to get the best deals, you would need to be either waiting around opening time or camping outside the store through the night in order to be the first in line. Since Black Friday is not a public holiday in most countries, you will find a lot of people that are extremely sleep deprived.
Most would have woken up early or barely slept at all, so that they can get their prized promotional product before heading into work the same day. Some of the side effects from sleep deprivation include a weaker immune system, stress, anxiety, and even depression. So, you can expect a less than productive day at work if you force yourself to sacrifice sleep for the occasion. We also tend to eat more and will often turn to “comfort” food such as sugary snacks and fatty processed items more frequently when sleep deprived. Factor in the fact that early shoppers could also be driving to work, and you can see why many traffic accidents also occur on Black Friday.
Instead of waking up early or camping out in front of storefronts, why not get some quality sleep you deserve? The holidays can be a stressful time, and with everything that has happened in 2020, people are more tired than ever. Take a break from brick and mortar shopping this year and do it from the comfort of your mattress. You might even be surprised at the deals that are available online if you are new to online shopping or Cyber Monday. Even local businesses are offering many products online so you can still support your favorite stores in your area. Enjoy a restful morning at home with your alarm set at its usual time and wake up rejuvenated, ready to hop on those online bargains!
