Therapists Know You've Just Started Rewatching Your Comfort Show. Here's Why

Person with remote controlLike a homing pigeon, I return to my comfort shows (Ugly Betty and, inexplicably, The Thick Of It, if you’re wondering) every autumn. For other friends, it’s Gossip Girl. I have family members who rewatch childhood classics like Arthur when the weather changes, too. It seems we’re not alone. According to AttractionTickets.com, UK Google searches for shows like That’s So Raven and The Wizards of Waverly Place have soared in September.And Quinn Harper-Thorpe, a therapist who’s paired with the ticket company, thinks they know why. We might start “nesting” in autumn and winter, and that affects our watching habits We might be more tempted to reach for starchier foods in the colder months, which could be part of the reason why we’re so sluggish in autumn and winter.Cosy season also means we spend more time indoors, Harper-Thorpe said. And this “nesting” means we reach for comfort TV as well as comfort food.“Shorter, darker days naturally encourage us to nest. Autumn and winter can heighten feelings of loneliness or fatigue, so people turn inward, seeking warmth and reassurance,” the therapist revealed.“Curling up with a childhood favourite TV show provides a ritual of comfort that fits perfectly with this season.” Binge-watching 2000s hits can have more benefits than you might think, too. “Nostalgia activates brain pathways linked to memory and reward. When we re-experience old shows, our brain releases dopamine, the ‘feel-good’ chemical, along with a sense of continuity in our identity.“It reminds us of who we were, and connects that younger self with who we are now. This integration can feel soothing,” added Harper-Lee.What are the best comfort shows to watch in autumn?There’s no set answer (I’m not sure any therapist would reccomend my habit of watching Malcolm Tucker to unwind), but the therapist shared: “The ‘right’ show is usually the one you loved most as a child”.For Harper-Lee, that’s Winnie-The-Pooh. “But in general, shows with gentle pacing and warm, familiar themes can evoke that sense of calm across generations,” they continued.Again, there’s no need to guilt yourself for your seasonal rewatch; the expert thinks there can be something almost meditative about the practice. “Just as mindfulness grounds us in the present, comfort TV roots us in something familiar and non-threatening,” they ended.“For many people, rewatching an old series slows racing thoughts, regulates the nervous system, and provides gentle relief from stress.”Related...These 3 Questions Can Help You Declutter Your Wardrobe This AutumnI Rewatched The Early Days Of Geordie Shore And I Have *A Lot* Of ThoughtsCritics Are Saying This New Netflix Crime Thriller Is Your Next Binge-Watch

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