Science says watching your favourite old shows reduces stress

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Have you watched Severence yet? It’s the most nominated show going into this year’s Emmys! What about The Studio — I hear Seth Rogen is a revelation! No? Well, surely you’ve caught up on The White Lotus, finished Succession, or figured out why everyone is talking about Adolescence. If not, then what are you even doing with your life?

If you have a television-savvy friend or co-worker — or if you regularly consume TV-related media coverage — you’ve no doubt been on the receiving end of what we’ll call Screen Pressure. It’s peer pressure, but for buzzy shows. Imagine a breathless PSA, but extolling the virtues of character development.

But according to experts, there’s science-based value in forgoing these “must-see” TV shows in favour of old favourites — the tried-and-true series that you can quote on demand. Think of The Office, perhaps, or Friends or Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Or if you’re more into drama, maybe it’s CSI or Blue Bloods.

“The daily grind can be mentally exhausting, which is why nostalgic shows feel so comforting. Instead of adding to our mental load, they give us a much-needed escape,” behavioural scientist Clarissa Silva recently told the Verywell Mind website.

So what exactly are the mental health benefits of rewatching our favourite TV shows? First, it helps to relieve stress and anxiety. When we tune into something we’ve seen many times before, we reduce our cognitive load.

“When we’re stressed and overloaded, it gives us a sense of control,” said Silva. She added that knowing what to expect means that there’s no new information to process, which helps us recover from stressors more easily. “Our brains need to repair from the constant overstimulus we endure throughout the day,” she said.

Rewatching TV shows also helps us find a form of connection if it’s lacking in real life. We feel like we know the characters, can identify with them, and maybe on some level consider them friends — a phenomenon known as parasocial relationships. Think of Sex and the City — how many fans have delightedly disclosed whether they’re a Carrie, Miranda, Samantha or Charlotte?

Checking in with favourite characters regularly can also help combat feelings of isolation. Researchers have demonstrated that rewatching shows can increase nostalgia, which can counteract boredom, loneliness and homesickness, according to Verywell Mind.

Playing a series on repeat might also be able to foster friendships in real life. You can become part of communities that are dedicated to various TV shows, and there’s the unique joy of turning someone you know into a fellow fan.

“Sharing our favourite show with a loved one can be a special experience,” says Verywell Mind. “Further, being able to discuss episodes, quote lines from the show, recommend it to others, or make inside jokes bonds us with other fans, bringing a sense of community and belonging.”