Consumer well-being

Abstract

Chapter 10 examines the role of consciousness in shaping consumer well-being. Moving beyond material accumulation, well-being is framed as an active process of aligning consumption with meaningful goals, personal growth, and social contribution. The chapter defines consumer well-being as the quality of life derived from acquisition, consumption, and disposal experiences that extend beyond immediate gratification, highlighting the role of consciousness in evaluating and learning from these experiences. It explores self-regulation as a pathway to healthier, more sustainable consumption, emphasizing mindfulness, emotion regulation, and the integration of bodily states into decision-making. The discussion extends to digital well-being, addressing the dual role of technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in enhancing presence, fostering responsible consumption, and visualizing long-term benefits, while also posing ethical challenges. Examples include AR’s capacity to make sustainable purchases more tangible and VR’s use for relaxation and self-expression. The chapter concludes by underscoring the need to balance immersive, sensory-rich experiences with safeguards against potential harms, ensuring that technological engagement supports both personal fulfilment and societal well-being.