Does this sound familiar? Kids are tucked into bed, evening routine is finished, and you feel a bit of excitement thinking of sitting on the couch and watching TV by yourself. You get to choose the show and watch the show without interruption. Just typing the words makes me smile.
My evening TV time is a chance to decompress and let my mind wander. I have noticed though, that depending on what I watch my mood is different. If I am watching light-hearted predictable reruns of Schitt’s Creek or Modern Family, I feel happy to be watching some beloved characters and feel less stressed. I will smile for days as I think of David folding in the cheese or Phil Dunphy passing out on the roller coaster. If I am watching new episodes of Stranger Things, then I am watching more intently and my mind is racing after a cliff hanger episode. If I was watching This is Us, then I would feel sad and kind of down after an episode.
Studies seem to support my dutiful “research.” TV watching can decrease stress and replenish energy stores without much effort, but what and how you watch is important. Apparently I am not the only one who should not watch a new horror or suspense show and then try to go to sleep. Reruns seem to be the best at reducing stress and increasing energy, makes sense we know those characters and we know what is going to happen in their stories.
We need to make sure our TV watching is not causing problems. If we are staying up late to watch three hours of our favorite shows, then it is encroaching onto our sleep time. I can struggle with this, when the next episode starts right away and then I am hooked again for another 28 minutes and before I know it I have stayed up too late. Studies also suggest binge watching marathons decrease any wellbeing benefits of TV watching. Eating and drinking too much alcohol (sorry Herb Ertlinger) can also create issues with overall health. Professionals suggest to get active during commercials by doing bursts of exercises, does anyone do this?
Like anything the key is moderation. Do not rely on TV watching as your sole source of stress relief and energy boosting, make sure you are meditating, exercising, gardening, reading, and socializing. Use your favorite shows as one tool available to you to improve your overall mental health and decrease your stress levels.
Happy watching,
Cassie