Watching FRIENDS is good for your brain, claims researcher - Times of India (indiatimes.com)
We all have certain shows we love to watch for hours together! Just like comfort foods, watching certain shows can actually feel therapeutic. One such show is the ever-popular 'Friends' which has fans spanning through generations! Multiple re-runs and the huge fanbase just goes on to show that the show is just so comforting to see! And guess what, watching Friends can do good for your mental health and help you de-stress!
Needless to say, Friends is a cult-favorite! It might make you giggle and laugh till no end but it can also help you deal with any kind of anxiety and stress.
Watching Friends is helpful for you!
We have all grown up watching Friends and seen the six main characters of the show go through ups and downs. The 30-minute episodes are like chicken soup for the soul! Watching them battle life and stress makes them even more real and relatable and that is why we end up seeking inspiration from them!
To prove the same, a London-based doctor conducted a study to demonstrate how helpful and stress relieving watching the show can get. In his findings, Marc Hekster, a clinical psychologist mentions:
“Having worked for over a period of 20 years with those experiencing anxiety, I can conclude that among other factors, it is the repetitive and relational nature of programs such as Friends and Big Bang Theory that will be doing the trick,”
He also makes mention of another popular show, The Big Bang Theory in helping people de-stress in life.
The doctor adds that watching the characters in the comedy show going through real issues makes it more approachable and guide people in solving their personal crisis in a better way.
“[Watching Friends] is about an experience of repair, of watching the characters in the show repeatedly having worries, which then get repaired and soothed, usually in the context of other relationships in their lives. Complex problems are made the focus of each episode, and then they are resolved within the relationships which are the essence of the shows. It is pure escapism - excellent, bring it on,”
As the expert points out, the main reason why the show is good for the brain is because of how our human mind reacts. When we experience feelings of anxiety and stress, the brain responds by inducing fear and anxiety which are then solved by repetition and comforting feelings.
“Yes, it is soothing to see the same outcome every time and know you can depend on it. This is at the heart of human development. So, when grown-ups are anxious, they can have child-like feelings of fear and worry, and these can be soothed by repetition.”
So, are you ready to binge watch Friends again?
