Skip to main content

What Neuroscience Says About Binge-Watching

Seventy-three percent of Netflix viewers report feeling happy while they're binge-watching. However, those marathon sessions could pose risks to your mental and physical health. 

A growing body of research raises concerns about what binge-watching does to your brain. 

Some studies suggest that watching back-to-back episodes can contribute to depression and anxiety and impair language and memory skills.

 At first, you feel pleasure as your brain produces more dopamine. Then, you may feel let down when you finish your last season of Buffy. (ok that was an old reference, lol) But meanwhile, that passive activity can decrease oxygen levels and make it harder for your brain to focus.

 Does this mean you have to choose between your brain and Stranger Things? Before you cancel your streaming subscriptions, find out how to make binge-watching healthier.

 

Binge Watching and Mental Health: 

Binge-watching is probably here to stay. Sixty-one percent of Netflix viewers also say that they regularly watch up to 6 episodes of a show in one sitting.

Adopting these habits can make it easier on your brain:

 

  1. Limit your consumption. You're less likely to overdo it if you plan ahead. Decide how many hours of TV you'll watch before you pick up the remote. Alternatively, you could focus on how many episodes you'll sit through.

  2. Be selective. Setting limits is easier if you're choosy about the content. Try to pick programs that are meaningful and enriching. Pause and ask yourself if a series is really worth the time it takes to finish it.

  3. Join others. Binge-watching can be isolating. Invite family and friends to join you. If you're home alone, browse for free apps like Watch2gether.

  4. Talk about it. You can also make TV more interactive and less passive by discussing what you watch. Share comments and questions with your family or participate in online forums.

  5. Manage stress. Do you use binge-watching to distract yourself from uncomfortable feelings and events? That can be ok occasionally, but it helps to have other strategies too. Engage in relaxation practices. Consider counseling if you're struggling.

 

Binge Watching and Physical Health:

 

Your body and mind are closely connected. Make choices that will protect your overall wellbeing from too much sedentary TV time.

 

Try these tips: 

  1. Snack smart. If you eat while watching TV, make it light and nutritious. Smart choices include plain popcorn, fruit, hummus, and cut vegetables.

  2. Work out. Strengthen your body and burn calories with regular exercise. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week.

  3. Take breaks. Even if you work out, you also need to move around periodically if you're going to be sitting down for a long time. Get up on your feet at least once an hour. Do some full body stretches or calisthenics. Take your dog for a walk in between programs.

  4. Check your posture. How you sit makes a difference too. Try to keep your back straight. Put your feet up and bend your knees slightly. Support your head and neck with pillows and other supports if necessary.

  5. Get a hobby. Devote most of your free time to offline activities. In addition to socializing and physical exercise, you might want to play a musical instrument or cook gourmet meals. Develop interests that challenge you and give you a sense of accomplishment.

  6. Stick to your bedtime. Do you catch yourself staying up too late and feeling fatigued the next day because you wanted to watch just one more episode? Make sleep a priority, so your body and mind can heal and function properly.

 

Moderation is the key to making binge-watching a more positive experience. Set sensible limits on your screen time and balance it out with rewarding offline activities.

 

Like my posts? Please follow me on Facebook or Instagram under Recovery Enthusiast. I also have a podcast on Anchor and Spotify under Motivations 4U. And if you really can't get enough of me, you can check out my courses on recoveryenthusiast.com

 

As always, stay blessed and live your life Enthusiastically!!

 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wasting Time With Micro Timewasters

I t's   funny how we  notice when we waste time on a large scale. We notice that we spend an hour on social media or watch TV for three hours. However, these aren’t the only ways we waste time. We waste time in dozens of ways each day. Many of these time wasters aren’t always obvious, but the time can really add up over the course of a day, a week, or a decade. Your time is your most valuable commodity. Think about it, you can always make more money, but you can never make more time. We all have the same 24 hours a day. So in order to make the most of it, we need to be very cautious about time wasters. Don’t let your time just be frittered away! Imagine how much you could accomplish in that time! What could you do that really matters to you? Guard your time from the micro timewasters with these strategies: 1. Always have a phone charger with you. How many times a week do you need a phone charger and have to go into the other room to fetch it? Have multiple chargers and keep th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Empowering Women in Recovery: A Journey of Self-Discovery with Recovery Enthusiast Online Courses

Are you a woman on the path to recovery, seeking guidance and empowerment? Our life coaching courses are specifically designed to support and inspire women like you. Discover a transformative journey that fosters resilience, self-love, and lasting change. Why Our Courses Stand Out 1.      Tailored for Women in Recovery : Understand the unique challenges and strengths of women in recovery. Our proven approach provides a safe, supportive environment where you can thrive. 2.      Holistic Approach : Our life coaching method goes beyond traditional recovery programs. We integrate mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness to help you rebuild your life from the ground up. 3.      Community Support : Join a sisterhood of empowered women who share your journey. Connect, support, and grow together with our dedicated community. Testimonials "These courses have changed my life. They gave me the tools and confidence to reclaim my future. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where are you going?!

What is it about hitting a milestone in your life that makes you freak out?        I remember turning thirty and thinking I'm a stay at home mom, I need to have this perfect home, be the perfect wife and all will be well. Ok miss Cleaver how did that work out for ya? By the time I hit forty I was full blown alcoholic in rehab and not home and kids not speaking to me. I've done a lot of stupid stuff that led me to that point. Stuff I can't change.       And so now here I sit 48 going on 49 and feeling like Whoa, where has my life gone?! Now I did clean up my act. I now work as a case manager for an addiction treatment facility and my kids do speak to me. I actually have a grandson that has stolen my heart. I am blessed. I live with my sister and her husband, which isn't the worst thing in the world but I want more. I'm also in school trying to better my life. But like I said I want more. Every time I think about wanting more my heart races and my ...
2 comments
Read more