HEALTH

Wellness

Question: Is binge-watching bad for you?

Between Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Hulu and the upcoming Disney+. binge-watching TV has *never* been easier. Whether you're hooked on new shows or catching up on Gossip Girl or Friends, you *need* to read on to make sure your TV habits aren't affecting your health.

Sitting/ laying down for too long can be bad for you.
If binge-watching becomes a habit, it could deprive you of the movement you need. According to Psychology Today, we all need "150 minutes a week engaging in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise to stay healthy." And if TV-watching interferes, it could lead to serious health risks, such as obesity, depression, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more. Take a break from the screen and get your body moving in between eps.

It will be harder to fall asleep.
It's hard taking a break from your show when it's getting good, but it's even more important to get your beauty sleep for the next day. Watching TV or Netflix before bed can disrupt your sleep because the light from the screen messes with your bod's signals that tell you to snooze.

It could turn into an addiction.
TBH, it's already an addiction if you can't get yourself to do anything but watch your show! This can be dangerous if you have other priorities to fulfill but end up not doing them because of your PLL marathon. Plan some time in your day to meet all the goals you've set for yourself so you can enjoy your show without feeling guilty.

You could become antisocial.
Depending on the length of the show, a binge session may mean that you neglect your friends and family. Sure, Riverdale is exciting and you might wish it was reality, but it's not...so don't forget to live your *real* life.

It's not as fun.
Ever wonder why you're always so interested to tune in the next week for a new episode of your fave show? It's because you're anticipating what's next and that makes every ep more exciting and satisfying. With binging, that prolonged curiosity is gone and takes away a lot of the fun. Not to mention after a while, you become sort of numb to it all.

The takeaway?
Just like most things in life, moderation is key when it comes to binge-watching your fave shows. So, set a limit for yourself each day (we recommend not exceeding two hours). You'll still get your TV fix, but you'll also spend time and energy on your real life, too.

Are you guilty of binge-watching? Tell us your fave shows below!