Binge-watching is a favorite pastime for many people in America. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spend an average of 2 hours and 49 minutes watching television every day.
Two hours of the day that could have been spent doing productive work and experiencing life are used to watch television.
Instead of being productive, we are all sitting inside on a beautiful sunshiny day, watching “Stranger Things.” We plant our bodies on the couch and commit to watching the entire series. Then when you finish that series, you are left feeling empty inside.
You are not alone. This feeling is completely normal. According to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, binge-watching is tied to feelings of loneliness and depression
Television is addicting. Netflix enjoys pressuring us to watch the entire show. After you complete one episode, Netflix asks if you would like to continue watching. Then a 16-second countdown begins. In that moment, you must decide whether or not to endure another hour or so of streaming.
The next episode will start when the timer runs out and the vicious cycle continues.
Binge-watchers are addicts and do not have the willpower to say no. Technically, it is not your fault. Who could say no to another 20-minute episode of “Friends?”
I know I have no self-control when it comes to binge-watching. I ashamed to say I have spent many late nights completing series like “Gossip Girl,” “Friends,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Office.” There was one time I witnessed a sunrise in the middle of an episode of “One Tree Hill.”
I have sacrificed precious hours of sleep to finish a series. I have made watching a few episodes part of my morning routine. I am not too proud to say I am addicted to binge-watching.
Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery. Cherish the limited moments with your shows. Take your time with each episode because pretty soon, it will be over.
If you find yourself relapsing from binge-watching, remember this advice: make sure you monitor and track the amount television you are watching daily, create short-term goals to keep yourself motivated and develop an interesting hobby that does not involve watching television
Realize that television shows are consuming your life and take a break.
Once you address your binge-watching problem, you can learn of ways to have a Netflix-free life.
