Psyche

Good news: rewatching the same series is actually very healthy

By Sophie Rietmulder | #!31Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:00:59 +0200+02:005931#31Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:00:59 +0200+02:00-5Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam202331 05pm31pm-31Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:00:59 +0200+02:005Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam2023312023Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:00:59 +02000050010pmThursday=9#!31Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:00:59 +0200+02:00Europe\/Amsterdam10#10-05-2023#!31Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:00:59 +0200+02:005931#\/31Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:00:59 +0200+02:00-5Europe\/Amsterdam3131Europe\/Amsterdam202331#!31Thu, 05 Oct 2023 17:00:59 +0200+02:00Europe\/Amsterdam10#

Are you team Gilmore Girls or team Gossip Girl? According to TikTok, these are the series to rewatch every fall, but you have to choose a camp. You can lose yourself in the warm and welcoming feeling of the always cozy Stars Hollow or get caught up in all the tension and intrigue that unfolds among the elite of the Upper East Side, as long as you go for one of the two. Of course, you can also choose to skip these series; after all, we've all seen them at least once, but research shows that rewatching your favorite series is actually very good for you, especially after the busyness that summer has brought. Boosting your health has never been easier, and that is mainly due to the following three things.

You find peace
Rewatching series can be a restorative experience, especially when you are tired. According to Jaye Derrick, a psychology professor at the University of Houston, people who are tired after a demanding day are more likely to seek out familiar fictional worlds rather than new ones. During a busy day, we deplete our limited supply of attention through tasks at work, conversations with colleagues, and grocery shopping. Rewatching series you already know can restore this energy because you don’t have to pay as much attention. The familiar characters and predictable storyline allow you to relax.

You don’t suffer from disappointment
People often tend to hold on to what they already know and avoid new experiences to prevent disappointment. Especially in times of stress or need for relaxation, it can be mentally exhausting to decide whether a new series is worth committing to. Rewatching familiar series protects you from potential disappointment because you know what to expect. It offers a sense of predictability and control, which you may sometimes miss in your hectic daily life.

It creates a sense of community
Our social needs are not solely fulfilled by personal relationships. Stories and parasocial relationships, such as those with fictional characters, can also fulfill those needs. They provide a sense of connection and comfort without the responsibilities of real relationships. Rewatching series allows you to access this fictional community at any time. This meets your need for social interaction and creates a sense of connection without the fear of rejection or the effort of planning get-togethers. Psychologists call this social snacking, where quick, positive daily interactions enhance the feeling of connectedness through stories and characters without having to leave your home.

Source: Time