Gone are the days when we used to wait all week long for a show and would glue our eyes to the TV at that specific time to avoid missing out on the show. Now, streaming has made it easier and more convenient to watch your favorite show at any time where, and in a go. This has led to the development of a new concept, binge-watching. Binge-watching is the practice of watching many episodes of a show successively, typically through digital streaming. It is becoming increasingly popular and has been vastly adopted, especially by youngsters. A few stats claim that 70% of viewers in the US binge-watch 5 episodes and 80% of GenZ binge-watch six episodes at a time. It is the reason, any Netflix show is finished watching within a week, on average. The Covid-19 pandemic put an upthrust force on the already thriving streaming industry. When the lockdown measures disrupted life, sedentary behaviors, such as watching TV increased. Binge-watching is both boon and a bane; it helps make social connections, fosters stress release, and makes the show you are watching more fulfilling. If you are interested in investing in the internet that allows you to make the most of uninterrupted TV watching, you may think about getting one of the best CenturyLink internet plans that offer ultra-speed internet to let you enjoy the show without any interruption and buffering. Anyhow, when you keep sitting on the couch all day long, you can imagine the repercussions that result in the form of health risks. In this article, we will discuss in detail the health effects posed by binge-watching television.

1. Insomnia

Normally, 7-9 hours are recommended for sleep for an adult; it is an essential part of life. Sleep deprivation can lead to health problems. Binge-watching destabilizes your sleeping routine as well as the hours thus leading to headaches and fatigue. According to PubMed Central, binge-watching leads to mood disturbance, fatigue, and insomnia. A study published in the journal Clinical Sleep Medicine indicates that binge-watchers experience more fatigue and symptoms of insomnia.Moreover, binge-watching is associated with higher levels of pre-sleep arousal, which mean that people find it hard to sleep after watching an engaging show because the brain hardly transitions from processing the story.

2. Cognitive Issues

Research has proven that after watching a tele-marathon; it is hard for the brain to shut itself down, thereby causing a disturbance. Binge-watching can affect your brain. When you spend long hours looking at the TV screen, your ability of processing information slows down leading to cognitive decline. It can leave you tired and sluggish for days, making you unable to comprehend new information. Habitual watching can significantly lead to cognitive issues, such as weak memory.

3. Depression and Anxiety

Research has found that the more socially isolated and lonely a person is, the more avid binge-watcher he is. One reason for increased depression and anxiety after binge-watching is that the person is circumscribed to a world that has no meaning in reality. While he is able to kill time, doing it continuously for unlimited time can incite a feeling of isolation and alienation. Secondly, binge-watchers are people who already suffer from depression and anxiety. They consume TV out of their anxiety and unease in the outside world. Be it any reason, it is true that binge-watching is inextricably linked with anxiety and depression, which are detrimental to human mental health.

4. Back Problems

Undoubtedly, binge-watching invites severe back problems. Sitting in one posture for a long time, usually bent down or lying on the couch, leads to extremely poor back problems. This poor posture while watching tv can make your spine curved or weak, leading to musculoskeletal issues. Also, while watching TV, the neck does not get support which can lead to back pain and spinal misalignment, which can further cause back pain and back spasm.

5. Obesity

With binge-watching comes zero physical activity and unlimited crunching. When watching TV, you find yourself lying in the bed and eating unhealthy junk food, such as chips, ice creams, chocolates, peanut butter, pizzas, burgers, and whatnot. At the same time, you avoid any physical activity let alone doing exercise. Moreover, obesity and anxiety are more likely to co-occur and they are linked to binge-watching. All of these are the reasons, you will end up becoming obese in a matter of months.

Final Remarks

Binge-watching is all fun until you realize your health has been compromised. You should not give up on binge-watching or health either; there is a middle way that guarantees nothing is put at stake, i.e., binge-watching responsibly. Ensuring physical activity and limiting time for binge-watching can help you maintain a good balance between both. So, don't stress; start binge-watching now!