Full Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links that allow me to receive commissions at no cost to you should you use them to make a purchase.
I never knew grocery store anxiety was real until I met my fiancé. He loathed going to the grocery store, and this was pre-pandemic. He complained about not knowing what to buy or where to find items, so he ate out a lot. It’s a factor as to why people spend a lot of money eating out. You’re here because you want to overcome your anxiety to save money and eat better that’s why I’ve put together 5 Tips for Eliminating Grocery Shopping Anxiety.
Before I jump into the tips, I have to let you know that I’m no doctor. If you have debilitating anxiety, please seek professional guidance from a clinical professional. These are tips that helped my fiancé overcome his anxiety when going grocery shopping.
Also see Recipe Basics for Cooking as a Beginner.
5 Tips for Eliminating Grocery Shopping Anxiety
- Don’t Go to or Inside the Grocery Store
- Find Your Staple Store
- Prepare a List
- Visit During Slow Hours/ Days
- Bring a Friend
Don’t Go to or Inside the Grocery Store
This may be obvious, but you don’t have to go into the grocery store at all. The pandemic drove those unfamiliar with curbside pick up and delivery to be more receptive. In that process, many people found that it wasn’t so bad. There are a lot of delivery service options to choose from. I’ve personally only used Instacart for both curbside and delivery. Depending on the stores you shop at, you may have to use the service they’ve partnered with.
I want to share the pros and cons I’ve found with both curbside pick-up and online delivery so you can make an informed choice.
Pros:
- It’s convenient: You can order grocery’s from the comfort of your couch, while with friends or family, while on a work break, or whenever you want.
- Saves money: If you’re like me then you get distracted when going to the store and pick up things you don’t need or had no intention of purchasing. It doesn’t help that stores are designed to get you to spend more but if you order from home, you’re less likely to grab random items.
Cons:
- Cart adjustments: Adjustments occur when items in your cart are not available at the store. You’ll have a choice to remove the item and not be charged or asked if you would like the substitute the item for something else.
- Fees: There are a few different ways to look at the fees associated with ordering online. On the positive, in the time it takes to grocery shop you could be doing something else with that time and potentially saving gas money with delivery. On the other side, it’s extra money that you could have saved otherwise. I also want to mention tipping here. It’s important to tip people who are in the service industry if you live in the US. This is money you wouldn’t otherwise be spending. It’s up to you to weigh the options.
Find Your Staple Store
It takes time to acclimate to new places – the same goes for the stores we shop at. If you’re always visiting new stores, it can be anxiety-inducing just walking in. Choosing one or two stores helps you learn the layout, making it less stressful to navigate and find items you need. I suggest choosing larger grocery chains since they have similar layouts. These stores also offer better pricing than specialty stores.
Also, understand how most stores are designed. You can actually shop the perimeter of the store to get most of what you need. If you call anywhere in the southeast home, the large stores are Publix, Kroger or H.E.B., and Walmart. They all have similar footprints. When you walk in, to the right will be the fresh produce or the bakery and as you make your way around you’ll find dairy and lunch meats and the meat department. Besides grains and baking items, most of the staple items people keep are on the outside of the store. Keep this in mind the next time you visit a store.
Prepare a List
Knowing what you need from the store helps you get in and out efficiently. Take the extra time to put a list together before visiting the store. I like to use the notes section of my phone and jot items down as I know they need replacing so I don’t forget. Adding replacements to a list is the best place to start. List items you’re out of and then things you want to pick up to build a meal. If you’re a pen-and-paper person, do the same with a simple list.
This is for those who want to go the extra mile – create a meal prep list. Instead of only listing the items you’re out of, take the time to create a list based on meals you’ll make in the coming week. Meal prepping lessens the chance of forgetting items vital to your recipe.
Visit During Slow Hours/ Days
Have a flexible schedule or don’t mind being an early bird – you’ll avoid crowds. Navigating through large groups is never fun. According to a Today article informed by Google Maps data, the best time to grocery shop is on Monday at 8 am since it’s the least busy time. The busiest time is Saturday between 12-3 pm. Don’t have time on a hectic Monday morning? I can vouch for Saturday mornings being quiet and slow. It’s actually my favorite time to go.
Bring a Friend
Taking someone you trust and who doesn’t also have anxiety can make the task easier and even fun. You could set aside time with your roommate, friend, spouse, family, or whoever you feel comfortable with to run this errand together. You can also save money by splitting and sharing large items that you wouldn’t otherwise finish.
If you can’t find someone to go to the store with, then try meal prepping or creating a list together. Even if they can’t go with you, it will alleviate stress.
5 Tips for Eliminating Grocery Shopping Anxiety
If these tips seem overwhelming, take one or two and apply them for your next grocery run. I suggest ordering from home but if you’re up for challenging yourself and you want to feel more confident and comfortable, visit the store during slower times and make a plan before you go. I hope you find these 5 Tips for Eliminating Grocery Shopping Anxiety helpful but if your anxiety persists or becomes impeding, please seek professional help.