Opening Pokémon packs is the new vice for younger generations
Opening Pokémon trading card packs has emerged as a popular stress-relief activity among younger generations with disposable income. Rather than traditional coping mechanisms like having drinks or exercising, many individuals are turning to the ritual of purchasing and opening trading card packs as a way to decompress after difficult days or personal crises.
The trend is particularly visible on social media platforms like TikTok, where users document themselves opening packs, often as a direct response to stress. The resurgence in trading card popularity has enabled this behavior to flourish, with the physical act of opening packs providing immediate, tangible stress relief. The sensory experience—tearing open packaging, the anticipation of card reveals, and the collection aspect—appears to fulfill a psychological need for many consumers.
The article highlights personal anecdotes illustrating the depth of this coping mechanism. One user filmed herself opening packs after experiencing a traumatic home flooding event, demonstrating how the activity has become a genuine emotional support mechanism for some individuals. This behavior reflects both the broader resurgence of collectible trading cards as a cultural phenomenon and evolving generational approaches to stress management.