Is binge watching TV bad for your health?
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November 20, 2024With thousands of documentaries, films and TV shows available to stream at the tap of a button, we’re living in a time where it’s possible to watch whatever we want completely on demand.
Statistics show that we’re a nation of TV lovers in the UK, as more than 19 million households are subscribed to at least one streaming service. But is consuming so much digital media bad for our health?
What is binge watching and what happens to the brain?
Did you know that if you watch more than two episodes of a TV series at a time, you’re classed as a binge watcher?
As the brain produces dopamine when we’re doing an activity we enjoy, we naturally experience feelings of happiness, excitement and pleasure when we’re watching TV. However, if we start to chase these feelings of happiness even more, our commitments, goals and even relationships with others can start to suffer.
The cons of binge watching TV
Spending a lot of time watching TV can lead to feelings of isolation, particularly if we find ourselves frequently choosing our favourite shows over meeting up with our friends and family.
Additionally, although staying up late on the odd occasion isn’t likely to have a lasting detrimental effect, frequently going to sleep late to squeeze in one more episode can lead to a variety of issues, including anxiety, stress, insomnia, musculoskeletal issues, and a lack of physical activity.
Things to keep in mind
We’re certainly not saying you shouldn’t watch your favourite shows, but it’s wise to consume all media mindfully and consciously. If you’re having signal issues, you don’t need to take this as a sign that you shouldn’t be watching TV at all, and there are many services specialising in TV aerial repair Gloucester, such as Steve Unett Aerials.
If you want to consume digital media more consciously, we recommend limiting yourself to a maximum of two episodes at a time, balancing your TV viewing with more physical activities, and making it a social activity by inviting friends and family to watch with you.
