There are three reasons why you might prefer to watch your old favourites over the latest must-see movie:
- It may help you feel less lonely
Psychologists believe that people have an inborn need to belong. We need people the same way we need shelter – and we are very social. Experts were curious to find out if people turned to their favourite TV shows to connect when they felt alone or rejected.
We must feel connected with other people to be healthy and happy. We evolved in this way. However, psychologists note that we didn’t evolve to distinguish between the groups we are a part of and those on television. Even though we know that they are not real, they seem real.
Why might watching a show that we like help us?
Rewatching shows lets us dive into a world of social interaction we are already familiar with and to which we feel connected. It is a quick way to connect, just like talking to a friend can make you feel more connected than meeting a stranger. To stay connected, when you need TV aerial repair Gloucester, go to https://steveunettaerials.co.uk/
- You’ll feel comfortable
Even though we often think of TV watching as a passive activity (often associated with the term “couch potatoes”), watching a show you don’t like can take energy. If you are stressed, tired, or overworked then watching a show that isn’t your favourite can actually make the situation worse.
Even a new episode in a show you love can take a lot of energy. When you’re anxious about a character’s death or in suspense, you have to exert some mental effort.
When you know what is going to happen in the story, you are less likely to be disappointed, scared, or sad by it. People feel safe when rewatching.
- This may help you recharge your batteries
According to the American Psychological Association, “self-control” is the ability to control one’s behaviour, whether it’s overt, undercover, emotional or physical, and to restrain one’s impulses.
It takes self-control for you to regulate your emotions if you are feeling stressed, lonely or upset. Self-control is also required to suppress emotions or suppress your reactions to others when you are in a bad temper.
Two experiments examined the ways a familiar fictional universe helps people regulate self-control. Researchers found that people became more interested in watching their favourite TV shows when they were doing something difficult and experiencing a loss of self-control. After watching their favourite TV shows, people reported feeling more energetic.