Is binge-watching a series better than reading a book?

Nowadays, platforms like Netflix and YouTube make binge-watching incredibly easy as it automatically starts the next video when you finish. However, is this way of relaxing actually good for us, and is reading better?

(This is a challenge post so stick to the end to find out more)

When I was a kid, I would often get bored and run to my mother to tell her that I was bored. My mother’s response was always, “read a book”. At first, I really tried, but I didn’t feel very confident reading since it took me longer than my classmates. Now, I want to get back to reading, but there seems to be a bigger obstacle: the internet.

Facebook Survey

I did a quick survey on my Facebook and Instagram about what people prefer to do in their free time. The results were that when given free time, only 10 out of 31 people chose to read, but 29 out of 31 people believed reading was a healthier choice than watching series.

So, right off the bat, we all have the notion that yes, books are probably better for you than binge-watching a series, but why is it the better option? And, is binge-watching actually bad for you?

Binge-watching

On the Northwestern Medicine website, they state that binge-watching can even become like a drug. When we do things we love, our bodies release dopamine as a result of feeling happy about an activity. This hormone makes us always want more and create a habit that is hard to break. Other negative side effects include interfering with sleep patterns, lack of physical exercise, and even depression. Something that can make us really happy can also make us feel really isolated, especially now when we are already having to distance ourselves from loved ones and friends (Danesh A. Alam, 2021).

On the Washington Post, they have studies showing that the effects of prolonged sedentary behavior from binge-watching could be similar to those you get when on long flights or an illness. These effects include blood clots that could become quite problematic. Also, we have all heard that it is not good to be looking at a screen right before you go to bed, and the reason is that screens emit a broad-spectrum light that delays the release of melatonin, the hormone that makes us go to sleep (Birch, 2019).

Moderation is Great!

Before you start canceling any subscriptions to any platforms, we must always remember that everything should be done in moderation. Binge-watching becomes a problem when you watch many episodes (or an entire season) in one sitting instead of spacing it out. Mixing watching a series with other activities like reading, exercise, talking with family and friends, maybe even doing a course, is great. We all need distraction and watching TV or a series has some positive psychological benefits, when you don’t go overboard.

It’s also great to stretch every 30 minutes to keep the blood flowing (Birch, 2019).

Reading

On Healthline, they talk about a study conducted in 2013 by Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia where they found that the complex circuits and connections in our brain increase the more we read. Other things that improve with reading are vocabulary, empathy, cognitive function as we age, stress levels, depression symptoms, and even sleep (this last one works best with a physical book rather than an ebook) (Benefits of Reading Books: How It Can Positively Affect Your Life, 2019).

One of the things I found most interesting in that article is that the UK has a program called “Reading Well”. This program allows people to borrow books from their local libraries that are recommended by medical experts to help their mental health condition or go through a rough time. Also, 91% of the people surveyed found the books helpful.

One thing that I have noticed when I read is that I feel more satisfied after reading a chapter or two than watching two episodes of a series. Also, I feel there’s more freedom in reading. Even though authors give detailed descriptions of the characters, in your mind they might look or sound differently. It also seems like plots in books are more complete. Movies and series often feel rushed at the end. So even a great story that was really developed in the beginning may suffer edit cuts and race to the end. On the other hand, books can continue to explore other plotlines or details.

Challenge

I have decided to challenge myself to restrict how many episodes I watch and increase the amount of time I spend reading for two weeks. At the end of two weeks, I’m going to post a results post about how I feel at the end and any changes I noticed in my daily routine.

The guidelines of the challenge are:

Stop watching series around 8 pm (2 hours before I go to sleep)
Start each day reading a little bit before checking emails or messages
Keeping a log of what I read every day to see my progress
Make my reading environment more pleasing (sit very comfortably and upright, maybe even have soft background music if necessary)

Maybe in the end my mom was right all along. When bored, read a book.

I invite everyone reading this to join me and share anything they’ve noticed change, or if there is no change at all.

References

Benefits of Reading Books: How It Can Positively Affect Your Life. (2019, October 19). Retrieved from Healthline: Benefits of Reading Books: For Your Physical and Mental Health (healthline.com)

Birch, J. (2019, June 3). How binge-watching is hazardous to your health. Retrieved from The Washington Post: How binge-watching is hazardous to your health – The Washington Post

Danesh A. Alam, M. (2021). Emotional Health Binge Watching. Retrieved from Northwestern Medicine: Binge Watching: Three Ways TV Affects Your Health | Northwestern Medicine.