TV Shows That Helped Me With My Mental Health
Connecting with loved ones, working out, and enjoying good food can be effective ways of boosting one’s mental health. My personal pick, though? Netflix! Not only is it an affordable form of entertainment, but there’s really nothing like losing yourself in your favourite show.
Shows on cooking, home improvement and science can enrich our lives with useful tips and fun facts. You also get to learn about different cultures, ideas and people that you’d never get to experience in real life.
Based on the *Social Surrogacy Hypothesis, research has shown that people feel less lonely when they’re watching their favourite TV shows.
As a TV fanatic, there’s nothing like coming back to unwind to something I know will always pick me up. Here are the top TV shows I turn to when I need an extra spring in my step.
1. FRIENDS
Spanning 10 seasons, this was (in my humble opinion) definitely one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. Centring around the lives of 6 main characters, I found myself being able to relate to them as they navigated the ups and downs of adulting. Whether it was the quirkiness of Phoebe, the obsessive nature of Monica or the dorkiness of Ross, their personalities were all endearing. Filled with a mixture of heartwarming and hilarious moments, this show is a great mood-lifter. When I need some motivation to pursue my dreams, I’m reminded and inspired by bold career moves they made - like Rachel switching from her stint as a waitress to her dream in the fashion industry or Chandler leaving his data job to pursue an advertising career. This show was full of life lessons while providing great laughs.
2. Kim’s Convenience
Growing up with tiger parents, I found myself being able to relate to the plot and overprotective Korean Canadian parents in Kim’s Convenience. Spotlighting the Asian immigrant experiences in the community, this series revolves around the joys and challenges of the Kim family’s daily lives. I like that each episode tends to end on a light-hearted note, which gives me peace of mind when I turn it off.
3. The Circle
In this reality competition show, players interact with each other online in their individual apartments, without any contact with the outside world. They get to choose whether they want to be themselves or be someone else and compete for a cash prize of US$100,000
As most of us have experienced some form of lockdown during COVID, it was oddly comforting to watch strangers bond with each other virtually while being cooped up in their rooms. Watching contestants mull over how to craft responses to questions felt all too familiar. After all, isn’t this what we do when we converse over social media and instant messaging platforms for work and leisure?
4. Never Have I Ever
A comedy-drama television series, Never Have I Ever revolves around the life of an Indian-American teenage protagonist, Devi Vishwakumar. Offering a nuanced take on Devi’s trials and tribulations, the show is captivating from start to finish with its dramatic and touching moments.
Through Devi’s conversations with her therapist, I found myself being able to empathize with her as she shared her struggles like dealing with the grief after losing her father and navigating relationships. In one of those sessions, her therapist responds by saying, “You’re not crazy. Because you feel, your life is going to be beautiful and rich.” Now, that’s definitely the assurance you want if and when you’re working through complex emotions.
What TV show has helped with your mental health? I’d love to hear your recommendations!
References:
*https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022103108002412