In 2016, Netflix- a popular streaming service found that most Netflix members are likely to binge watch a series than take their time with it. Another finding was that an average binge watcher takes only one week to complete an entire season. So, what is this binge-watching?
The phenomenon of Binge-Watching
Also known as binge-viewing or marathon-viewing; it is watching a show/television for long periods of time without many interruptions. It is often used to escape daily life, almost like a stress-buster. Binge-watching is known to help you connect more socially. Once you know certain characters, you can understand references, make jokes, and this can make you more likeable.
Motivators for Binge-Watching
The habit of binge-watching is acquired through repeated consumption of media. One of the biggest motivators for binge-watching is anticipation.
Anticipation of what’s coming next. The suspense of the next episode keeps us on the edge of our seats. This makes one continue onto the next episode. Certain episodes and series evoke emotional responses.
One can’t control what happens throughout the course of the day- emotionally. But viewing something is what we can control.
Procrastination can also be as a motivator for binge-watching. It is a way of escaping from the real life to the fictional world.
Social goals can also be a motivator for binge-watching. Wanting to catch up, being included in groups, following social norms and being socially accepted leads to us binge-watching.
What is Binge-Eating
Binge-eating is eating large quantities of food in a short period of time. Similar to binge-watching, it is a loss of control, and accompanied by feeling of shame, and guilt afterwards. Almost every one binge-eats during special occasions, holidays, etc. but it becomes a disorder when this is a regular occurrence. Binge-eating is not only eating when feeling hungry, but also when you are full. An individual feels out of control and can’t resist the urges.
Motivators for Binge-Eating
A general example of overeating would be having an extra dessert after dinner. But binge-eating would be being embarrassed about eating habits. There are certain situations an individual will find themselves binge-eating:
Stress and anxiety - Being stressed during particular events such as exams, an important interview is very normal. But an individual who are more vulnerable than others to stress, may binge-eat.
Family and body image - It is known that a person with negative self-image is at a higher risk of binge-eating. If the family of such an individual is not helping in any way, instead criticizing, the self-image tends to worsen. This will even further raise the risk of binge-eating. Other factors include depression, extreme dieting, genetics and social relationships.
Interrelation
In a recent study, children between the ages 9-11 in the United States who have more screen time are more likely to develop binge-eating disorders a year later. Each additional hour spent on social media was associated with a 62% higher risk of binge-eating disorder one year later. ​ It also found that each additional hour spent watching, or streaming television, or movies led to a 39% higher risk of binge-eating disorder one year later. An explanation for this would be because of distraction in the form of screens, children tend to overeat. Binge-watching television may lead to binge-eating behaviors because of overconsumption, and a loss of control.
Binge-Watching and Obesity
​Binge-watching is a leisure activity which require little to no effort. Which is why it is the most popular leisure activity among adults. Binge-watching involves little metabolic activity; this leads to a sedentary lifestyle. Lack of physical activity will result in obesity, and being overweight. One of the leading factors of mortality is also lack of physical activity. Time spent watching television has also been correlated reduced sleep time and obesity.
Dangers of Binge Watching/Eating
It has been reported that too much TV will lead to risk of heart disease, lower cognitive functions, increased aging and even increased risk of death. This is regardless of how much we exercise, and try to keep ourselves healthy. There are emotional effects of binge-watching as well- the withdrawal one feels after their favorite TV show, or season ends. The emotional exhaustion after the highs and lows of each episode. ​ Bing-eating leads to an array of negative emotions such as guilt, shame, embarrassment, self-hatred, anxiety, and depression. It can also cause physical discomfort, sometimes so much pain and nausea that sleeping becomes uncomfortable. Risk for all health-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, heart disease, etc. increases.
Binge-Watching and Mental Health
Covid-19 has led to increased screen-times for both work/schools related as well as entertainment purposes. Doctors have said that there’ll be a fallout with regards to mental health once the pandemic is over. Part of which is due to screen-related addiction behaviors and eating problems, including binging. ​ Individuals with binge-watching habits are more prone to depression. Adults with anxiety also spend more time binge-watching. Individuals who spend an excessive amount of time watching TV tend to become socially isolated, and that likely limits the development of their social networks, and social skills. Binge-watching is also a coping mechanism for loneliness. This tells us that binge-watching may be used as an emotion-focused coping strategy.
Measures to control Binge Watching/Eating
For Binge-watching
Shut off the ‘auto play’ feature on your device. This way you will not be tempted to watch another episode.
Scheduling! Schedule how much time you want to spend in front of the screen.
Try finding different sources of pleasure. There are very few hobbies that take as less of your efforts than binge-watching, but picking up other hobbies will make you much more cognitively enhanced.
For Binge-eating
Balance between healthy and unhealthy. It is okay for wanting something to munch on, but quite necessary to choose a healthy snack.
Keep a note of what goes into your body. Keeping a diary is very useful.
Disassociate binge-eating and binge-watching. It is possible that binge-watching may be a major factor causing you to binge-eat. Control the urges to binge-eat through exercise, meditation.
References
Netflix. (2016, June 8). About Netflix - Netflix & Binge: New Binge Scale Reveals TV Series We Devour and Those We Savor. About Netflix. https://about.netflix.com/en/news/netflix-binge-new-binge-scale-reveals-tv-series-we-devour-and-those-we-savor-1
Sun, J. J., & Chang, Y. J. (2021). Associations of Problematic Binge-Watching with Depression, Social Interaction Anxiety, and Loneliness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(3), 1168. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031168
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