If you’re old enough to remember entertainment before the internet age, you probably recall waiting for your favorite TV episode. Patience was not an option, because no options existed to watch an entire season in a sitting… But oh have times changed!
Now it’s common to marathon-view a new series, especially on streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. These have autoplay features that have changed how we consume entertainment. Many of us have formed a habit of binge-watching, where we watch more than one episode in a row. As one study explains, our tendency to view just “one more episode” has become a major challenge for many of us.
Although the term “binge-watch” has been used since 2013 (when Netflix released House of Cards), only recently have studies emphasized its prevalence. The COVID-19 pandemic changed our drive for entertainment. It forced us to spend more time at home and to find alternatives to social gatherings. Comparing pre-COVID to post-COVID binge-watching behaviors, studies show that the average binge-watching duration increased from 2.7 hours to almost 4 hours!
A new study on binge-watching has shed light on personal factors that predispose us to binge-watching. The ability to restrain ourselves from acting on impulses influences how much we binge-watch. But that’s not the whole story.
Even though personal predispositions matter, the authors of the study found that “motivation to be entertained and a lack of emotional clarity” were stronger predictors. COVID has caused many to stay home more, and shows offer convenience distractions from our daily lives. An expert on this topic notes that problematic binge watchers may use their long sessions in front of a screen to escape their daily life problems.
One of the issues with binge-watching is the sheer amount of time we devote to it. This can take time away from other tasks and add to feelings of being overwhelmed. Instead of finishing tasks around the home, working on self-care behaviors, or prepping meals for the next day, an evening on the couch may seem appealing. But if repeated too often, you may feel like you don’t have enough time to keep your home clean, complete a workout, or meal-prep for healthier eating. If a show is especially engaging, we can lose track of time to fulfill other duties in our life.
Finally, there is a possibility that binge-watching is addictive. It is important to recognize that binge-watching can be a healthy way to spend free time when it is intentional. In contrast, some are unintentionally binge-watching episodes and losing a lot of time to streaming entertainment. Research has identified that only unintentional binge-watching is related to impulsivity and the symptoms of addiction.
Whether you are intending to binge-watch or not, the goal of spending so much time being entertained can compete with another (more important) goal: Sleep. Reports show that those who binge-watch regularly are also likely to report disturbances in their sleep cycle and daily functioning.
Studies on our behavior during the pandemic reveal that those who were more stressed were more likely to binge-watch. This was most common in those with obesity, and it encouraged more late-night eating. This can be a difficult habit to adjust, because when we feel stressed we seek comfort and distraction. We want to escape our situation and feel better, and streaming services offer alternatives to our current circumstances.
Our stress levels are also predictors of more serious mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. As you may expect, binge-watchers are much more likely to be coping with anxiety and depression. Binge-watching offers an escape from real life. Related to this is the finding that those who binge-watch are more likely to have loneliness and social interaction anxiety.
The next time you feel the pull of a streaming service, think about how long you would like to tune in. Forethought can help you become more aware of your actual behavior so you can adjust it.
If you have a set amount of time in mind, or a number of episodes, consider setting an alarm. Other ways to interrupt a binge-watching session include scheduling calls with friends and family.
As a final suggestion, get into the habit of pausing your show more often. This can give you a break to stretch your legs or use the restroom, and it invites interruptions that may distract you from your show. Setting healthy limits on screen time is not easy, but the time you can reclaim is worth it!
As Treo’s Global Wellness Researcher, Karlie uses recent research findings to support healthier daily habits. Karlie earned her doctorate in Neuroscience and Behavior and bachelors in Health and Exercise Science.
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