Reality Television is good for our Mental Health, let me tell you why. As humans we are always searching for a form of escapism. I love to take vacations and staycations, this gives me a chance to have a little break from everyday life. I know that people are also avid book readers which gives them a form of escapism. I want you to think deeply for some time about how you have incorporated escapism into your life. What do you do to give your brain and body a rest from daily stressors? If you answer that question with, “I don’t give myself a break,” then we have some serious talking to do. I will say this if you don’t give your car gas it stops moving, if you don’t give your brain and body a rest disfunction will occur. We must nurture our brains and body, the same way that we take care of our cars, pets, homes and family. The last thing we want is for you to run out of gas.
I assume by now you are wondering how does the title of this blog fall into escapism and self-care? Sometimes we have to be creative and think outside of the box. We live in a world that is over saturated with Reality Television. I have to be honest the more Reality TV for me the better. I have heard many say that it is taking over traditional television. I think I would agree with that. I mean look at every streaming network and standard satellite channel and you will find a Reality TV show. The question really is, why? The Pandemic definitely gave a huge boost to Reality TV followers and created many Reality TVholics. Let’s not forget the boom of TIKTOK and how people film all that consumes their daily lives. A form of Reality TV or Reality Social Media really took flight during the time we all stayed in our homes. Honestly, I was a Reality TVholic way before Covid. Were you like me and always looked forward to watching your favorite Reality TV?
Reality TV comes in all different types of genre. I think there is a form of interest for almost everyone. I know that is a broad statement but you will rarely find someone who does not indulge in at least one Reality Show. This is a list of some of the Reality Shows that cover a lot of different interests.
1. All of The Real Housewives franchises (####)
2. On Patrol Live
3. America’s Got Talent
4. Naked and Afraid (####)
5. RuPaul’s Drag Race
6. Big Brother (####)
7. The Kardashians
8. The Bachelor Franchise
10. Love is Blind
11. Selling Sunset
12. Vanderpump Rules
13. 90 Day Finance’
14. Sister Wives (####)
15. American Ninja Warriors
16. Hoarders: Buried Alive
###### My Favorites
This list is broad but not inclusive of all Reality Shows but the list does show the variety that is out there. The shows range from Drag to Police Car Chases to Polygamy. Studies have shown that watching this type of television has it’s pros and cons. The pros are that it actually creates a chemical change in your brain. When watching your Endorphins start to flow (hormone that elevates mood) and you begin to feel good. This is similar to what a person experiences with an addiction. Reality TV is an addiction and many professionals are acknowledging this concept. A person who enjoys these type of shows becomes addicted to the high they feel when watching. I know personally, that when I get to finally watch some television during my day I go to my que. I will always watch all of my Reality Television first because it makes me happy and yes I am addicted. This got me to thinking about what is the draw to this. I know why for me but instead of my opinion ,I asked others why they like to watch this genre. I was given permission to share their responses here.
RESPONSES
1. “Entertaining & I forget about real life. Laughing at the people basically. My coworker and I were just talking about the Golden Bachelor.”
2. “We watch mainly because it’s nice to see there are even crazier people out there than some of the people in our lives.
3. “I love seeing how others live their lives, unrelated and different from my life. I love to mimic the trips that The RealHousewives go on as well.”
I did a survey on my Instagram account and here are the results.
Do you Like Reality TV? YES 67% NO 33%
These results and comments prove that the majority of society likes to watch at least one reality television show based on their interests. People love to see how the rich and risk seekers live. They visit exotic places and do exotic things. I personally love Reality Television because it always let’s me disconnect from my real life for a short amount of time. I get the endorphins flowing and a mental break from my daily responsibilities. I seek it out as a form of daily escapism. I also think it is important to see how others live, what they do and how conflict is handled. As a therapist I am always analyzing all of the cast and what their motives are. It is my entertainment. Though you may have different reasons for diving into the Reality Television world we all seek it out for entertainment.
Do you think Reality Television is Scripted? YES 80% No 20%
This result was very interesting to me. The survey shows that most people watch because they believe that it is as close to reality as possible. However, I personally believe that some of it is scripted and I don’t care because watching the drama is entertaining for me. Without a doubt the majority of the shows are for the most part real life events, problems and circumstances.
Is Reality Television bad for your Mental Health. There is no doubt that watching some of these shows can impact our Mental Health negatively. These type of shows can cause anxiety when it comes to finances, accomplishments, body image and lifestyles. It is only natural to compare ourselves to these celebrity types. Watching may cause an individual to have a low self-esteem and highlight how their life does not compare to the cast members. For some it may make them feel like a failure and that they will never have a body shape like that in comparison.
You must be able to distinguish if this type of escapism is healthy for you to watch. If you haven’t thought about it before in this manner, maybe you are realizing that Reality Television may not be healthy for you to indulge in. Realityaholics out there, analyze why you watch these shows and make the best decision for you.
As for me I am an addict in the full sense of the word and I will continue to watch Reality Television as my guilty pleasure. In life we must all find new and unique ways to give ourselves a Mental Healthcation each day. Let me put it this way we all need to take care of ourselves bette. Watching some Reality Television, getting those endorphins flowing and just being purely entertained is a great way to support yourself and your Mental Health.
POSITIVE THOUGHTS CREATE POSITIVE ENERGY
GO OUT AND EXPLORE ALL OF THE WIDE OPEN SPACES IN YOUR WORLD
CIAO
ILISE
PS: Bravo TV and TLC are my favorite channels to get my fix of Reality TV. I am a true
BRAVOHOLIC!
