Credits: Social Media
PhD student reveals why you keep watching the same comfort shows over and over
A PhD psychology student has revealed why you keep rewatching the same comfort shows over and over, claiming it is down to a few emotional reasons.
As mysterious as it may sound, psychology factors into practically every single aspect of our lives. It helps dictate our interests, who we love, and even seemingly mythological phenomena like the siren’s song. Thankfully, psychologists are available to pull back the curtain like the recent revelation about why men say “I love you” first.
Rewatching comfort shows offers an easy distraction
We constantly see people moaning on social media that they haven’t started a new TV show in ages, instead choosing to rewatch comfort classics. While the TV shows in question differ from person to person, 20-minute serials like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Office, and Rick and Morty are often at the top of the list.
Some even report uneasy anxiety when watching new shows, though some were able to break from this trend with help from AI.
PhD psychology student Sophie Toure (@sophistique08) recently took to TikTok where she shared a video that has since garnered 256k views and 40k likes.
“It regulates your emotions, It offers a distraction from your anxiety and stress, it creates a calming effect,” she explained. “You already know the plotlines and outcomes, making it easy to engage without the emotional toll of more intense narratives.”
When we’re feeling stressed and in need of comfort, we naturally turn to media that we already know are not going to add to our turmoil. As Sophie said, you can “emotionally prepare” for particularly hard moments of that TV show.
Sophie also said she believed that watching comfort shows allows you to focus on character development and themes without questioning the ending. In turn, this adds to the overall enjoyment as you discover new details about your favorite piece of media.
“I would go as far as to say that, for some of you, the characters feel like friends,” she said. “Providing companionship during lonely times or times of isolation. You seek comfort and joy in familiar narratives.”
Modern Family seems to be another top pick
In Sophie’s comment section, TikTok users flooded the replies with their top comfort shows, which confirmed that The Office is one of the more popular choices.
“Girlfriends, My Wife and Kids, Martin and Greys and Anatomy (sometimes),” one person wrote.
Another put forward: “Family guy & American dad!”
“Brooklyn 99, modern family, GG, SVU, and Criminal Minds,” someone else suggested.
While it might be important to try new things, TV shows included, there is no denying the power of a comfort show. You do you.
