Binge-Watching Is Not a Personality, But It’s a Start

My husband and I have binge-watched our fair share of series of shows and movies. He’s always down for a good movie (or even better, a bad one!) and we discuss, critique, and joke throughout.

As busy working parents, we don’t get to spend as much intentional time one-on-one as we would like to, and this is one of my favorite ways to spend the precious time we do have together.

Last year, watched “Kong: Skull Island.” It’s not the type of movie I would normally seek out on my own to watch, but I’ll take a look at just about anything. Within days, we polished off the next three in the series with a few late nights and a steady supply of snacks.

More recently, we watched “Honey.” I’m a sucker for a bad dance movie and my husband’s a good sport. When it ended, the FireTV continuously played “Honey 2,” and we couldn’t look away until we were halfway through the fourth installment of “The Honeyverse,” as he now affectionately calls it. It was a great day. 

But binge-watching is bad for your health, right? 

Studies have linked binge-watching, defined as watching multiple episodes of a show in one sitting, to increased anxiety and depression. Sleep problems, a sedentary lifestyle, and social isolation are all contributing factors. (1)

So, yes, at first glance, binge-watching TV is bad for us. But like most things in life, they are not inherently bad or good, but more about how we choose to engage with them that decides whether they are a healthy part of a balanced and fulfilled life.

I want to address some of the concerns with binge-watching and how we can reframe how we watch to support our mental health.

Social Isolation. Yes, too much social isolation isn’t great for our health, but TV does not need to be a solo activity. When we watch with a friend, it can be a tool for connection.

You might be moved to similar emotional reactions at different pivot points in the show or have a healthy debate about the likability of a character. Maybe you wait to watch an episode until they can join you, or you’re careful not to spoil something they haven’t seen.

These are simple, fun things that are common to binge-watching culture, but they are also good ways to foster healthy relationships, which of course is fantastic for your mental health!

On the flip side, a little downtime for ourselves is also necessary to maintain good mental health. If you’re not neglecting relationships that are important to you, I think it’s perfectly okay to fill this time watching something.

For me personally, and for many other people who struggle with anxiety, watching a few episodes of something you’ve already seen a million times can be comforting. At the end of a long day, sometimes I just need to shut my brain off and see what those wacky Kardashian girls were up to in 2012.

Sedentary Lifestyle. I think of this as more of a preference. Maybe you’re the type to watch while you move, and that’s awesome! A much-anticipated new episode can be great motivation to get in a walk or some reps, and physical activity is so good for our brains.

When I think of binge-watching, I picture relaxing on the couch or in bed, not thinking about getting my steps in. This is not to say that I don’t intentionally move my body for my mental health, it just means I have to compartmentalize my workouts and my relaxing time. And that’s ok, that’s just what works for me. 

Sleep problems. Sleep is also essential for our mental health, and I’m a huge advocate for prioritizing sleep as much as possible.

But with anything in life, it’s all about finding that pesky balance.

Did I lose a few hours the week that we binged the Monsterverse? Yes. Did I also stay up way too late to finish “Honey 3: Dare to Dance”? Embarrassingly, yes. 

And nothing bad happened. In fact, being a little sleepy the next day was a small price for making new memories and new inside jokes with my husband.

It is my conclusion that you can binge-watch mindfully without sacrificing your well being. Here’s your permission to turn on the TV, turn to a friend, or turn off your brain. 

Just don’t tell me how “Honey 4: Rise Up and Dance” ends.

1. Alam, Danesh A. "Binge-Watching and Your Health: 3 Ways Long-Term Viewing Affects You."

Northwestern Medicine, Aug. 2024, www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthytips/emotionalhealth/bingewatching#:~:text=Research%20has%20found%20a%20strong,important%20part%20of%20spine%20health.

Accessed 18 June 2025.