Study finds people binge-watch TV to cope with depression & loneliness

Is this your idea of a perfect weekend: Lie in bed and binge-watch multiple episodes of your favourite TV show?

Then you might be interested in this piece of news.

A new study conducted by the University of Texas at Austin found that viewers who sit through multiple episodes of a TV show may be doing so to cope with feelings of depression and loneliness.

Researchers polled 316 people aged 18 to 29 about their tv-watching habits. They found that participants who were more lonely and depressed were the ones more likely to binge-watch TV. 

The likely reason: To move away from unhappy, negative feelings.

Study author  Yoon Hi Sung said:

Singapore

They make sacrifices to binge watch TV shows

Jun 18, 2016

“Even though some people argue that binge-watching is a harmless addiction, findings from our study suggest that binge-watching should no longer be viewed this way."

Furthermore, an individual's lack of self-control is influential in indicating someone's binge-watching behaviour.

This may not be surprising but the study also linked binge-watching to a lack of self-control, fatigue and obesity. 

But if you do love binge-watching (and who doesn't), here are some exercises that you can do to release some much-needed endorphins. 

1. Pillow crunches

Stack two pillows at your feet and rest them on the pillow as you lie flat on your back.

Cross your arms over your chest. Inhale and as you exhale, lift your upper body towards your feet. Then, repeat.

2. Leg circles

Lie flat on your back and squeeze your legs together and lift them up about three inches off the bed.

Then go around in circles - at least 20 times.

3. Oblique twists

Maybe when you're watching a particular horrific scene on Game of Thrones, and you want to look away but you can't, you can do the above.

It apparently engages your abs.

Sources: Byrdie, Variety Magazine, Deadline