Binge-watching your favorite TV show may seem like a great way to unwind after a long week, but spending hours on the couch can hurt your brain. It is important to recognize that the brain is not an isolated organ – it responds to the environment. When we binge watch, we create an unhealthy environment for the brain because we sit for long periods, isolate ourselves from social activities and eat large amounts of unhealthy food.
When you let the next episode start automatically so you can find out what happens in the cliffhanger, your brain receives positive feedback. This instant gratification is similar to gambling where even after a win you are dissatisfied and want to continue playing – or in this case, are unhappy with quitting after episode five and continue watching. This cycle combined with the side effects of binge watching can lead to unhealthy changes in your brain and body if you binge watch often. To compensate for the four worst side effects of bingewatching, here are some tips:
Choose a bedtime Sacrificing hours for binge-watching can make the brain sluggish the next day. In addition to feeling tired and unfocused, not getting enough sleep can affect our memory, mood, immune system, heart health, and hormone balance. It can be helpful to set a bedtime alarm so you don't lose track of the time and stick to it.
Give exercise priority Like sleep, exercise can be put off in favor of binge watching. A walk through your neighborhood before binge-watching and standing for five minutes during each episode can help keep your body and brain active.
Invite friends
While you may enjoy binge-watching or find it a good way to reduce stress, spending hours in front of the television is not good for your mental health. If you watch six hours of TV, that's six hours of no interaction with others. Six hours may not seem like much, but if you binge watch regularly, the hours add up and can lead to depression and other mental health problems. Balancing time alone with the television and time with loved ones is the key to avoiding social isolation. Invite friends to watch shows with you or make plans to spend time with loved ones before or after a bingewatching session.
Snack slim While unhealthy snacks are easy to grab while binge-watching, opt for something with more nutritional value. Hummus and veggies, nuts, or fruit are good snacks if you feel like eating something while binge-watching. Try to stay away from salty, fatty foods when watching television.
