“Comfort Binge”: How we escape everyday life with favorite series

Since there have been streaming platforms and the large providers are constantly new Series Producing an endless selection is available. Nevertheless, many prefer to use their personal classics, even though they have seen them umpteen times and know almost every word by heart. Or maybe that’s exactly why?

Whether “Gilmore Girls”, “Friends”, or “Stromberg”. This loyalty to principles has long since had a name: “Comfort Binge”. The term was first shaped in 2019 by the US. Today, almost six years later, he probably hits the zeitgeist more than ever.

Economic uncertainty, political tensions, increasing pressure to perform at work: the uncertainty through the world situation grows for many – and thus also the desire for relaxation.

In the evening, turn on the TV. And instead of getting involved in new things and also risking the unforeseen in streaming, many prefer to opt for a security anchor: the one loved one whose dialogues you can almost speak, which you do not surprise and gives you exactly what you expect from her because you already know exactly what you can expect.

Maybe you feel addressed now, possibly even caught or just understood. Psychologist Franziska Kaschub knows why we “Comfort Bingen” from a psychological point of view:

“The reward system is activated. So when we know and know what happens, then StoßIn our reward system these positive emotions, dopamine is being spent onÜttet and we FÜGreat us well, “says Kaschub in an interview with the star. “On the one hand, we can experience happiness and positive emotions, on the other hand we avoid uncertainty or unpredictability. Especially compared to 20 or 30 years ago, our world has changed significantly and has become more insecure that plays a major role in this need for predictability today.”

According to Kaschub, the phenomenon can also be to restart in supposedly better times. Therefore, many would prefer to use sitcoms or older series, trigger nostalgia or, due to their time distance, appear particularly far away from their own reality of life.

But content or geographical distance can also play a role: series that play in completely different places, in foreign cities or fictional worlds also give the feeling of being somewhere else for a moment.

While some people find security in humorous, light sitcoms, others may choose action -packed thrillers. The common denominator remains: the plot is familiar, the phrases are known and that is precisely that makes a good feeling.

“Comfort Binge” does not require the greatest attention. The series often run by the way, many can also be simply sprinkled by the sound of familiar voices, serial intros or music. It is precisely these known components that are awake and allow positive memories to experience the emotional well -being “at the push of a button” again and again, explains the psychologist and coachin.

According to Kaschub, people who are quickly worried in everyday life, are emotionally tense or are strongly influenced by their own mood could be particularly susceptible to the phenomenon. But also people who have not learned to allow their emotions or deal with them could also prone to displace their feelings.

As Kaschub explains: “What many people do is, they do not want to feel these unpleasant emotions and then cover them with positive. You can say that it is a repression or avoidance strategy. It is a way of dealing with everyday life that may be stressful or is associated with negative emotions.”

“Comfort Binge” particularly biases risks when it becomes the only coping strategy in everyday life. “If you get lost completely and only live in this healed series world without maintaining social contacts or talking about problems, then it becomes critical. Then mental health is endangered and it slips into a dysfunctional area,” warns Franziska Kaschub.

She also emphasizes: “High media consumption also affects sleep, which can quickly lead to a negative spiral of tiredness, irritability and social withdrawal.” Nevertheless, “Comfort Binge” is basically “nothing at all”. In addition to series, it is crucial to use other ways to coping with everyday life.