“Films show us different perspectives and lives different from our own. In this way, a movie's story gives us access to experiences and emotions that can help us feel better.” A good movie can also distract us from emotional pain or give us a place to put our unshed tears.
More than simple escapism, films can provide an outlet for thoughts and feelings. “When we are feeling depressed, inspiring movies can serve as a kind of timeout from the way we are feeling,” says Howard Pratt, DO, behavioral health medical director at Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI).
Studies suggest that watching movies can increase our emotional intelligence and also help in improving social connectivity. A study conducted by psychologists at Oklahoma University studied the relation between fictional drama and emotions.
Even those who often have trouble expressing their emotions might find themselves laughing or crying during a film. This release of emotions can have a cathartic effect and also make it easier for a person to become more comfortable in expressing their emotions.
The calming feeling of re-watching movies is 'experiential control', which provides 'emotional regulation'. To put it simply, because you know the ending already, you also know how it will make you feel.”
This can be described as a tripling down effect. The strengths that are portrayed in the film help the viewer to recognize such strengths inside themselves, so that they put the strengths to good use for their own lives, and so they feel better and more connected to people and the world.
Rewatching a movie, series or single episode enhances our well-being. Repeated viewing fulfills emotional needs, gives us comfort, provides a sense of control over our lives, and connects us with our past.
Consuming depressing content can actually make you feel good [because] of [increased] endorphins. Watching sad shows when you're feeling depressed in hopes that it will make you feel better sounds counterintuitive, but according to Lysn psychologist Nancy Sokarno, it's anything but.
Tyrannosaur, Breaking the Waves and Schindler's List might make you reach for the tissues, but psychologists say they have found a reason why traumatic films are so appealing.
Gregory Warwick, counselling psychologist at Quest Psychology Services. "The reason we are likely drawn to this media when we feel this way is because the film shown is in agreement with our internal state. Viewing the upset and the struggle validates our own internal thoughts and feelings."
Who knew binge watching your favorite series could produce a "high?" It's true. When you're engaged in an activity you enjoy, your brain produces dopamine — a chemical that promotes feelings of pleasure, excitement and happiness.
Watching a movie is much more easily consumable way rather than reading a book. A motion picture is more visual and easier to remember, compare with written works like books. Reading can push your imagination cause you'll be a part of the story, yet a movie helps you visualize the situation easily.
Secondary research suggests that two unique elements of the cinema experience drove the findings: the focused activity and the shared social focus. These elements have proven long-term benefits on our overall brain function, memory, focus and productivity.
For many people, music and movies serve as distractions from stress and anxiety. A new study suggests that for women in an especially stressful place, there's a unique option that can help ease their burden: watching Disney movies.
The primary benefits of movie therapy are insight, catharsis, and feeling less alone. Clients relate to the characters in the films and understand themselves in new ways. And similar to the experience of connection found in group therapy, they feel they are not alone in what they are experiencing.
Dramatic movies could increase feelings of gratitude and reduce feelings of isolation. They could also act as a reminder that everyone experiences struggles of their own and invite viewers to reflect on their own problems. Sad or tragic movies, while not a mood booster, remind us that we're not alone.
Or, to be more specific, this study found that the sadness we experience when we watch a movie with a tragic plot causes us to reflect on our lives, particularly on our close personal relationships, which makes us feel not only grateful for those relationships, but happier.
We also cry during movies because the brain releases oxytocin, which heightens our responses to the things around us. Researchers at the University of Tilburg in the Netherlands discovered that viewers who cried during a sad movie felt more relaxed afterwards.
It looks like weeping may trigger the release of natural anti-stress hormones. 'Tears that gently and slowly run over the cheeks have a sort of gentle massaging effect, causing stress-relieving compounds [called] endorphins to be produced by the body, leading to a feeling of wellbeing.
“These brain areas are associated with the generation of emotional expressions – things like crying, producing tears, making noises, sobbing,” explains Scott. “Now, the reason why that's happening is because of your emotional state watching the film. Eighty per cent of people feel better when they've been crying.
It may be that movies offer you the perfect environment to express those kind of emotions. Maybe it's the intimacy that you have when you watch movies or it's the lack of predictability of what can happen, compared with everyday life you may explore every event through logic and control.
Is Rewatching Shows a Sign of ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a disorder that affects a person's ability to sit still, control behaviour and how someone pays attention. There is a small possibility that people who have ADHD can be reluctant to watch the same thing over and over again.
Why do people with anxiety watch the same movies over and over?
If you struggle with anxiety, you may find yourself watching the same TV shows over again. The enjoyment of this repetition comes from the mere-exposure effect, the decreased cognitive load, and the sense of control.
Ultimately, rewatching your favorite shows or movies can prove to be a useful coping skill for anxiety. Especially during this time of uncertainty and instability, it is important to find a positive way to feel a sense of security, familiarity, and comfort.
