How many streaming platforms are you signed up to? From Disney+ to Netflix, Now TV to Amazon Prime, if you're subscribed to even one of them, there are endless things to watch, with new shows and cult classics dropping every week – so why do we so often find ourselves putting something tried and tested on the TV?
For me, when I'm alone in a hotel room or a strange place, I always put Friends on. For a friend of mine, it's Gilmore Girls, while another counts Bridgerton as her comfort show.
© CBS via Getty ImagesWhile we delight in seeing our favourite characters on screen time and time again, we can sometimes feel guilt from watching the same show on repeat – especially when everyone at work or the pub is talking about the new show they're obsessed with – and you're on your third rerun of The Office.
We're happy to report that you're not boring if you're rewatching the same show on repeat, with therapists explaining there's a very real reason we rely on certain shows.
1. Chasing safety
In an increasingly uncertain world, comfort shows are reliably safe, says BACP registered counsellor Rahi Popat.
"The sense of predictability feels reassuring and calming to our nervous system and allows us to feel safe in our ‘zone’," Rahi says of knowing what is going to happen next in a programme we've seen before.
© Getty Images"The psychological impact of this is that our nervous system feels attuned to the show and elements of control are in place. It calms the part of my brain called the limbic system, which regulates emotions, behaviours and feelings. If we have already seen an episode, there are no unknown factors which could cause us to be alarmed or panicked and thus allows for comfort and soothing of our mind and body."
He adds that comfort shows allow us to go to a place of "safety and tranquillity", which is rarely afforded outside of watching our regular shows. It enables us to calm ourselves when everything else around us may be busy, chaotic or challenging."
2. Self-soothing
Fellow BACP registered counsellor LJ Jones adds that reliable shows play a role in emotional comfort. "It could be considered an act of self-soothing," she says. "When we revisit characters and storylines we already feel connected to, and even fond of, it can evoke a sense of reassurance and stability. For many people, especially those who experienced inconsistency or emotional unpredictability growing up, this kind of familiarity can feel like being held in a safe space."
3. No disappointment
If we're watching something new, there's a strong chance we'll be let down by elements of the show (think the ending of Game of Thrones, for example – I'm still not over it). If you've already seen the ending, you protect yourself from disappointment, says BACP registered therapist Amanda Macdonald.
© Getty Images"Just like returning to a much-loved restaurant, or slipping on our favourite sweater, there is a comfort to be found in returning to what is known. Unlike starting a new series, or a new film, a previously watched show will not let us down. We know if there are elements of it that weren’t so great, so we won’t feel disappointed when we watch those parts again. In a way, it is as if we have mastery over what we are watching, and we can just relax into watching the show, with a feeling of familiarity."
4. Your brain can relax
Familiar TV series help our brain to unwind, says LJ Jones. "Unlike new content, which requires emotional and cognitive energy to process, familiar shows allow the brain to relax because there are no unexpected plot twists to anticipate.
"When the mind doesn’t have to stay alert for what’s coming next, it can begin to down-regulate, which is why people often feel calmer when rewatching something familiar."
5. No more decision paralysis
If you often find yourself clicking through endless new drops on Netflix, you'll know the decision paralysis that comes from having thousands of shows at the touch of a button.
© Getty ImagesLJ points out that finding something to watch can feel like a task in itself, which is why we find ourselves settling down to the same show again and again.
"Rewatching a familiar show removes that pressure entirely. It simplifies the experience, reduces cognitive load, and allows people to sink into instantaneous relaxation mode."
The drawbacks of comfort shows
This isn't to say you should never watch something new again. Rahi cautions that rewatching the same show restricts our chances to explore shows which may end up becoming another one of our favourites – but more importantly, this indecision could bleed into other aspects of a person’s life too. "For instance, we could become avoidant in making decisions, exploring new opportunities or seeking challenges outside of our comfort zone.
"We could always end up choosing the same place, people or options and subsequently reduce our ability to make informed decisions about matters. Rewatching shows can ease decision paralysis, but I would encourage this to be looked at holistically and know that we must allow ourselves to be open to wider opportunities, which may also bring us comfort and ease."
That said, LJ concludes: "Ultimately, rewatching comfort shows isn’t about a lack of curiosity. It is usually the nervous system seeking ease. In a fast-paced, often demanding world, returning to something familiar can be a simple but effective way of creating a sense of calm, distraction, and emotional safety."
