People spend a significant amount of their time watching TV. Moreover, the emergence and evolution of streaming services increased the number of hours individuals spend in front of screens. The popularity of TV series and shows proves that millions of people like this content and wait for new episodes. For this reason, binge-watching, or watching numerous episodes one after another, has become a topical phenomenon nowadays. Although it might be good for some people who want to see as much content as possible, I think that binge-watching is a dangerous phenomenon. It can promote the emergence of severe physical and mental health issues and cultivate undesired lifestyle changes.
The negative impact on health is one of the most important factors associated with binge-watching. Sitting for long periods with no movement can slow metabolism and promote heart disease and deep-vein thrombosis. These dangerous health conditions require specific treatment, meaning the risks cannot be disregarded. Moreover, research shows that binge-watchers might have poorer sleep quality, insomnia, and nightmares. All these factors prove that it is vital to make pauses when watching TV to have some physical activity or perform other tasks. Otherwise, there is a high risk of developing undesired changes in the work of the body and a reduction in the quality of people’s lives.
Mental health issues are another possible aftermath of binge-watching. Recent research conducted at the University of Texas shows that people who have this habit acquire higher risks of being depressed, lonely, and having problems with self-control. The desire to watch more content and new episodes might lead to the lack of desire to interact with others, which is a first step towards becoming isolated and suffering from the lack of communication. Additionally, a person can become addicted to binge-watching, and the absence of new episodes will cause negative and painful feelings. Fictional or fantasy reality can replace the real one, which is dangerous for people and their mental health.
Finally, binge-watching can cultivate undesired lifestyle changes in an individual. First of all, dietary habits might alter and become less healthy. Individuals usually eat snacks or fast food while watching TV, which can lead to the development of obesity or problems with digestion. Additionally, the lack of physical activity during binge-watching can lead to the emergence of new habits and the unwillingness to stay in shape. Finally, people can forget about their social activities and meeting with others because of TV and new episodes that can be watched. For this reason, binge-watching can be dangerous for individuals as it increases the risk of acquiring poor habits and becoming less involved in social life.
Altogether, binge-watching can be viewed as one of the unique phenomena of the modern world that might be bad for individuals. The development of technologies and streaming services provided people with the chance to watch many episodes of their favorite shows or series in a row. Although it might be entertaining, binge-watching can promote negative changes in the mental and physical health of a person and lead to the emergence of undesired dietary and behavioral habits. For this reason, in the age of TV and the Internet, people should not forget about their health and remain reserved. Making pauses will help to remain healthy, remain in touch with friends, socialize, and anticipate new content and jobs associated with it.