Whether it’s a TV show or a movie— having familiar and comforting viewing materials can offer a welcome reprieve from the stresses of daily life.
As it has been stated countless times before, the pandemic has brought unprecedented times of stress and anxiety. However, life itself is stressful. And, for college students, the stress that comes from this transitory period of life can be incredibly difficult — even before you factor in a pandemic.
Life in college is full of changes. Not only are you entering into the adult world, but you are also meeting lots of new people, possibly living somewhere new, and studying new concepts day in and day out. These facts are what define college life and make it a thrilling time, but these elements may also cause a lot of stress.
These statistics are not intended to paint a bleak picture of the college condition. While these high rates of stress, anxiety, and depression are concerning, it is important to address ways in which we can all work towards managing our own personal levels of stress.
Some expert-recommended tips for reducing stress include exercising, spending time with friends or family, listening to music, going outside, or practicing meditation or mindfulness.
While these tips are great, I think that they partially overlook just how hard it can be to start a practice of reducing stress if you are already feeling burnt-out. Or, if you are already overwhelmed with stress, and your to-do list keeps growing, it can be difficult to add another task to your day — even if it is intended to reduce stress.
In this condition of being overwhelmed with stress yet not having the energy to practice stress management techniques, the idea of a “comfort show” can offer great solace.
Before the “comfort show” terminology was coined, I would often watch The Princess Bride anytime I was sick or feeling down in high school. It was (and still is) one of my favorite movies, but I watched it so repetitively because it was comforting to watch something that was enjoyable and entertaining after multiple viewings.
Comfort shows are familiar— you know what will happen, but you still enjoy watching the plots unfold. They are light— nothing too serious happens, and they are relaxing to sit through. They don’t demand your attention, just like casual or easy viewing shows, you don’t have to be too invested in focusing on the screen.
Since the 1980s, “comfort-watching” has been a common coping strategy for those living with depression. Now, these behaviors are a bit more widespread and common among the general public. Binge-watching is already a common behavior, but comfort-watching combines binge-watching with watching something you’ve seen before, that you know that you enjoy, and that will bring a sentiment of relaxation or peace, in addition to providing entertainment.
Personally, my picks for comfort shows include Schitt’s Creek, New Girl, Friends, Parks & Recreation, and The Good Place. There are also a couple of movies I consider “comfort movies” — including About Time, Life Itself, and 10 Things I Hate About You, as well as all of John Mulaney’s comedy specials.
We all face different struggles with mental health, but comfort shows might offer one easy and simple way to escape the stressors of daily life.