Why rewatching comfort shows can boost your mental health

According to a licensed clinical social worker, revisiting familiar television shows like Gilmore Girls can provide mental health benefits by creating a sense of safety and helping viewers calm their nervous systems.

"There's actually a lot of safety in the sense that people already know that's going to happen," said Jill Lewis, a psychotherapist based in Atlanta. "They know the ending, so they do not necessarily have to invest as much mental energy and they get to enjoy it a little bit more."

Lewis, who specializes in group therapy focused on relationships and interpersonal processes, said rewatching favorite shows can act like a security blanket, offering comfort through familiarity.

"I can appreciate why many people would really enjoy it and why it could help and uplift people's mental health," Lewis said. 

The phenomenon has gained notable traction, with Netflix reporting 500 million viewing hours of Gilmore Girls between January and June 2023, equivalent to more than 4.6 million people watching the entire series of 153 episodes across seven seasons, according to The New York Times.

Lewis explained that the mental health benefits stem from the predictability of revisiting known content. Unlike watching new shows, particularly intense genres like crime dramas, reruns can help viewers maintain a calmer state.

"It calms our nervous system because we know what's coming. The mind-body connection gets to not think so much, and we get to just be," Lewis said. "It's more relaxing, and I don't think our mind has to work so hard to pay attention. Then by default, that helps our bodies calm, be less active, be less tense."

The appeal of comfort viewing often increases during autumn months when shorter days and cooler temperatures keep more people indoors. Lewis noted that this seasonal shift can make viewers feel more justified in their viewing habits.

"There is something kind of relieving to have a little more 'permission' to be inside, rewatching our favorite stuff, when it's a little colder and not as nice out," Lewis said.

While Gilmore Girls has emerged as a popular choice for comfort viewing, other shows serve similar purposes. Marie Claire recently highlighted 30 programs considered beneficial for mental wellness, including Friends, Schitt's Creek, Ted Lasso, Modern Family, New Girl, The Office, Parks and Recreation, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Gossip Girl.

In the case of Gilmore Girls, Lewis pointed to the show's humor and relationship dynamics as key factors in its therapeutic value. "Everything that I do in therapy is about relationships and relationship building, and the heart of this show is a mother and daughter relationship and a friendship," she said. "So there is a real gift in being able to see a real relationship that ebbs and flows, that has problems, that has struggled, that has hurt, but it has so much love and so much care."

The psychotherapist emphasized that viewers should not feel guilty about returning to familiar content instead of exploring new shows. "If it does just feel good, then it's working, right?" Lewis said. "When people have that self-attack, my interpretation is they're worried about other people's judgments of what they're doing, rather than [thinking], 'This feels good to me. I want to honor it, and I want to stay in it."

However, Lewis cautioned that excessive viewing could indicate potential problems. Warning signs include choosing television over social interactions, neglecting self-care routines, or allowing viewing habits to interfere with daily responsibilities.

"If someone is not experiencing life because they are binge-watching TV, it is too much," she said. "If someone is choosing to stay at home repeatedly to watch a show rather than be social, if they stop taking care of themselves because of shows, then it is interfering too much and we need to pay attention."

According to Lewis, moderate viewing habits that maintain balance with other activities pose no concern. "If you come home and watch two episodes, but you feed yourself dinner, and you take a shower, and you take care of your kids and you go to bed in a normal time, I think there's nothing wrong with that."

Many viewers seek relief from daily stressors by rewatching familiar content, which represents a form of self-care. Lewis explained that returning to known storylines requires less mental energy, allowing viewers to focus on enjoyment rather than processing new information.

As streaming platforms continue making classic shows accessible, viewers have increasing opportunities to engage with comfort content. The documented viewing numbers for Gilmore Girls suggest this form of entertainment serves as more than a simple distraction, potentially offering genuine psychological benefits when consumed in moderation.

For those questioning their viewing habits, Lewis emphasized the importance of maintaining balance rather than eliminating comfort viewing entirely. The key lies in ensuring television consumption complements rather than replaces essential activities and relationships.