Binge watching: this is why you shouldn’t do it

Binge-watching is easier than ever thanks to various streaming portals. In this article you will find out which problematic consequences the regular series marathon can have.

That is why binge watching is questionable

The next episode of our favorite series is over again and again it ends with an exciting cliff hanger. thanks Streaming platforms we no longer have to wait for the other episodes to air in the next few weeks as we used to, but can simply click through several seasons. That’s how we end up spending hours in front of the screen. This phenomenon is called binge watching.

The Tendency towards a series marathon arises when we identify with the protagonists of a series. We then constantly have the urge to want to know what will happen to them next. This feeling is no longer uncommon. Series and streaming services are an integral part of everyday life for many, and binge watching is increasingly becoming the new norm.

But the time we spend in front of the screen is missing in other places, for example when sleeping, exercising or building interpersonal relationships. Under certain circumstances, this can have fatal effects on our mental and physical health.

This is what binge watching does to your brain

There is evidence that regular binge-watching has negative effects on our brain’s performance. A Study from 2019 shows that watching TV for more than 3.5 hours a day worsens our cognitive abilities. The test subjects were all over 50 years old. The researchers noticed that people with a high level of TV consumption had a harder time remembering spoken information.

In addition, the time-consuming binge watching may also give you less time for things that would stress your brain. During this time you could, for example, read interesting articles, learn a new language or learn an instrument.

This Activities lead to itthat new connections between nerve cells or possibly even completely new cells are created. This is important so that your brain stays healthy and is optimally protected against possible future cell loss.

Effects on sleep, diet and exercise

sleep disorders are another possible consequence of regular serial marathons. According to Study from 2017 People affected by binge watching generally sleep worse and therefore suffer more often fatigue.

One of the reasons for this is the blue light on the screen. This prevents our body from doing that Sleep hormone melatonin pours out. Melatonin is essential to slowly reduce energy consumption in the evening and to prepare the body for sleep. If there is not enough available, we have problems with Fall asleep and may wake up more often in the middle of the night.

A further study proves the connection between binge-watching and a generally unhealthy lifestyle. People who watch a lot of series also seem to have an unhealthy diet and are more likely to suffer from a sedentary lifestyle. This, in turn, can lead to obesity and thus increases the risk of other diseases such as diabetes II and cardiovascular diseases.

The same study also points to positive effects from binge watching. The consumption of many series episodes can lift the mood and support recovery after a long day at work. However, you should be aware that these are only short-term effects that you should weigh against the negative long-term consequences.

Binge watching and loneliness

Last but not least, our interpersonal relationships also suffer from regular binge watching. If we spend a lot of time on series every day, we have less capacity to establish connections with our fellow human beings. In addition, we are permanently in a passive role in front of the screen.

This can lead to everyday life unlearn social behaviorbecause our brain has adapted to passivity. For example, we can no longer adequately respond to the facial expressions and gestures of our counterpart.

One possible consequence is that we feel lonely and isolated. lonliness in turn favors according to scientific knowledge depressions and increases the risk for Heart disease and strokes.

Risk of addiction and procrastination

So far, addiction to series or television has not been recognized as a disease. That is why there are no precise guidelines as to when one speaks of addictive behavior. However, if you notice that you are sacrificing professional and everyday duties as well as interpersonal relationships for your serial marathons, you should address this problem and possibly seek professional help. On the Website of the Association for Media Dependence you can search for contact persons.

But even if our behavior does not yet correspond to that of a pathological addiction, binge-watching can distract us from our priorities. So it happens quickly that we use series as a distraction from important and urgent tasks. Instead of facing challenges, we spend valuable time in front of the screen and then ultimately only feel more dissatisfied, stressed and have the following day because of the Lack of sleep maybe even less physical and mental energy.

Binge watching as a power guzzler

Binge watching is also problematic from an ecological perspective. So consume Laptops, TV & Co. a lot of energy that might not have been absolutely necessary. According to estimates by Electricity information TVs in German households run an average of four hours a day.

Assuming that the TV consumes around 100 watts per hour, this would amount to 146,000 watts per year. This not only wastes valuable resources, but also puts a strain on your wallet with around 43 euros per year.

Films and series must be stored as data on servers so that you can stream them. And these servers need energy: the network infrastructure in Germany needs loud SWR around 55 terawatt hours per year. Around ten medium-sized power plants are needed to provide the electricity for this. The air conditioning, which cools the data centers to around 25 degrees so that they do not overheat, has a particularly high consumption.

quality not quantity

Of course, television offers and streaming services are not bad per se. There you will also find documentaries or films on social issues that can educate and educate you. Films on ecological topics, as we recommend, include:

• The secret life of the trees
• Land of honey
• How to change the world
• The Milk System – The Truth About The Dairy Industry
• Garbage Island – an ocean full of plastic

And of course it is also important to just organize a series evening, where you can maybe laugh with friends and distract yourself from the seriousness of life for a short time. Here too, as is so often the case, the dose makes the poison. As long as you consume in moderation and find a healthy balance, you don’t have to worry about significant negative consequences.

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