Binge watching(marathon-viewing) is the practice of watching television for a long time span with a single television show.73% of people define binge-watching as viewing between 2-6 episodes or more of the same TV show in one sitting. The average American spends around 2.7 hours watching TV per day, which adds up to almost 20 hours per week in total.
Most Netflix members choose to binge-watch their way through a series versus taking their time finishing an entire season in one week. On average, shows that fall in the Science Fiction, horror, and thriller categories are the most likely to be binged. There are many reasons why binge-watching can be both good (and bad) for your brain:
1.
Binge watching
can be a stress reliever: The act of
binge watching offers us a temporary escape from your day-to-day grind, which
can act as a helpful stress
management tool. Binge watching can set up a great
boundary where troubles are kept at a distance. Binge watching can also help
foster relationships with others who have been watching the same show as you.
Watching a show that features a character or scenario that
ties into your day-to-day routine can also end up having a positive impact on
your real life. Although most characters and scenes are exaggerated for
dramatic effect, it can be a good teaching lesson and case study.
2.
How to
binge-watch responsibly: The key to reaping the benefits of
binge-watching without suffering from the negative repercussions is to set
parameters for the time you spend with your television, which can be tough to
do when you're faced with cliff hangers that might be resolved if you just stay
up for one more episode.
Make sure that you're balancing your binge with other
activities. After binge-watching, go out with friends or do something fun. By creating an additional source of
pleasure, you will be less likely to become addicted to binge watch a show.
Increase your physical exercise activity or join
an adult athletic league. By increasing
your heart rate and stimulating your body, you can give yourself a more
effective and longer-term experience of fun and excitement.
3.
The let down:
what happens when the binge is over: Have you ever
felt sad after finishing a series? When we finish binge watching a series, we
actually mourn the loss. We call this situational depression because it is
stimulated by an identifiable, tangible event. When we disconnect from humans
and over-connect to TV at the cost of human connection eventually we will
'starve to death' emotionally.
Real relationships are difficult, but at the end of the day
more enriching, growth producing and connecting. If you find yourself choosing
a night in with Netflix over seeing friends and family, it's a sign that this
habit is headed into harmful territory
4.
This is your brain on
binge watching:
When binge watching your favorite show, your brain is constantly producing
dopamine as your body experiences a drug-like high. This chemical gives the
body a natural, internal reward of pleasure that reinforces continued
engagement in that activity. It is the brain's signal that communicates to the
body, 'This feels good. You should keep doing this.
When
binge watching your favorite show, you experience a pseudo-addiction to the
show because you develop cravings for dopamine. The process you experience
while binge watching is the same one that occurs when a drug or other type of
addiction begins. Your body does not discriminate against pleasure. It can
become addicted to any activity or substance that consistently produces
dopamine.
“Netflix
gives you 15 seconds between episodes to decide if you're doing anything with
your life today.” (//SoRelatable.tumblr.com)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
Binge-watching” from Wikipedia
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