How To Make Binge Watching Healthy

When you find a great new TV show, you may find yourself hunkering down and watching way more TV than usual. With a wide array of streaming services on the market it’s easy to sit back and soak up some extra screen time, but there are a few ways to keep your health in check while watching your favorite shows.

Exercise now, tune in later.
Exercise is an important part of any healthy lifestyle, and it especially helps balance out some binge watching. Think about your schedule. If you’re kicking back to binge watch every evening, try to fit in a morning or afternoon workout. Or simply take a walk around your neighborhood before settling in or stretch during commercial breaks of your favorite shows.

Watch with family and friends.
Watching movies and TV doesn’t have to mean isolating yourself. Balance time alone watching TV with appropriate social interactions. Or use the new features on certain streaming apps that allow you to watch digitally with your friends in other places.

Don’t neglect sleep.
It’s easy to simply let the next episode roll. To avoid midnight movie marathons, set a timer or an alarm that signals when it’s time for you to go to bed. You’re less likely to lose track of time and still maintain a healthy sleep schedule.

Skip the popcorn and sodas.
It’s perfectly fine to snack during your down time. Just make sure to keep a few healthy snacks on hand like hummus and vegetables to feed your cravings. Just because you’re binge watching your favorite shows doesn’t mean you have to binge eat unhealthy foods.

If you feel like you may be using binge watching as a way to avoid feelings or cope with stress, you can get support from a behavioral health specialist via our telehealth services. Members can get ongoing support for stress, anxiety, depression and more.