We here at Hypable know the value of a good binge-watching session, but be careful: it can lead to loneliness and depression, a new study claims.
Perhaps this news doesn’t come as a shock, but it’s sobering none the less.
The Wrap has obtained an exclusive infographic (viewable on their website), which reveals the negative effects binge-watching can have on your wellbeing.
The infographic is based on a study by Happify, which employed “a decade’s worth of research” on Americans’ TV viewing habits.
One of the most striking results of the study is the indication that binge-watching — the act of settling in for uninterrupted TV marathon sessions — can lead to loneliness and depression.
Related: Binge watching TV could make you die early, study suggests
It makes sense; not only is solitary binge-watching a way of removing yourself from the world, but it also leads to further isolation, as your need for company might be sated by watching the characters interact on screen — hence, you might stop seeking out real-life experiences.
The occasional binge, of course, has always been enjoyable; a rainy weekend spent rewatching all the Star Wars movies for the hundredth time, or a nostalgic trip down ’90s TV memory lane. Just make sure it’s part of a varied routine, rather than a raison d’être.
Further, the study revealed, somewhat unsettlingly, that Americans see an average of five movies a year. Five. For Hypable readers, this must seem outrageous.
Hilariously, Happify also concluded that watching Friends (or other old sitcoms) reruns will “help restore motivation.” Well, allow us to test that hypothesis!