“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.
The stories that film tells and the immersive way it tells them have always had a capacity to foster our sympathetic and empathetic tendencies, help us grow emotionally, and connect more with others.
Relaxation. Pleasurable distractions and entertainment could provide rest and relaxation and replenishing qualities, according to a 2017 study. Finding relaxation by watching a movie might be easier than it sounds. It might be a good idea to eliminate unnecessary distractions during the movie.
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.”
“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).
The cognitive deficits associated with ADHD can result in repetitive behaviors such as watching the same shows over and over again (Saddichha et al., 2014). Moreover, research studies have found a correlation between ADHD symptomatology and repetitive viewing habits (Saddichha et al., 2014; Yen et al., 2017).
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.
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.
Post-Avatar Depression Syndrome causes suicidal thoughts and depression in some viewers. These emotions were evoked by how dark and depressing the real earth we live in is when compared to the gorgeous views of Pandora. Also, everyday life felt lacking and boring when compared to the ones experienced by the Na'vi.
Movies can have a truly powerful effect on your emotions. For example, they can cause you to think about people's struggles and how they overcame them. An example is Rocky (1978), which teaches life lessons like: Finish your work.
Why do I like watching movies over and over again?
Researchers Cristel Russell and Sidney Levy have actually named the calming feeling of re-watching movies as 'experiential control', which provides 'emotional regulation'. To put it simply, this means, because you know the ending already, you also know how it's going to make you feel.
This shows that while watching movies, we are momentarily free from the stressful experience of working and having to solve problems. Instead, the brain is allowed to just absorb the narrative, leading to engagement of the necessary brain circuitry responsible for the highly motivating and soothing pleasure of movies.
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.
Zacks said this kind of deep physical response is normal since the brain processes most of the stimuli from a movie the way it would process real life. The brain has to actually stop itself from taking a movie too seriously.
Among people with anxiety, it's a common phenomenon to continually watch the same TV shows, podcasts, and movies. Though this is a well-known part of having anxiety, many people don't know why it occurs. Someone with anxiety might describe it as comforting, familiar, or easy.
To cope with the substantial amount of pressure in our lives today, we find mechanisms that help us destress and relax. For many, this method is consuming content like films and TV shows. Watching a funny TV show or an action-packed drama allows you to be in the present.
Most people engage in some such behaviors. Common forms of perseveration include: A strong "need" to watch the same TV shows or sporting events, without fail.
Any activity that relieves stress or is meaningful can help not only people with ADHD but even neurotypicals. As such, yes, movies can be helpful. It can help ADHD adults unwind and gain insights.
The Gift of ADHD: They say that adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have almost a sixth sense about people. My sharp sense of intuition is the one personal attribute that I've always been proud of. Since I was little I've been able to smell a two-faced person from a mile away.
People with ADHD can be EVEN more susceptible to spending too much time with technology. ADHD makes it hard to concentrate/ focus on boring tasks but something like the TV/ computer is constantly entertaining.
Evidently, sad films are renowned for producing stress chemicals in our bodies. Catharsis is an antidote to these chemicals. With an emotional release, we purge buried feelings and our awareness increases.
Why do depressed people watch the same movie over and over?
"It can become really therapeutic, especially if you are feeling anxious. Watching the same piece multiple times reaffirms that there's order in the world and that it can create a sense of safety and comfort on a primal level," she says in Medium.
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."
