Predictable Pleasure: The Psychological Benefits of Rewatching Shows

Why We Keep Returning to Our Favorite Comfort Shows

After an exhausting day, do you find yourself drawn to rewatching beloved shows like Friends, Gilmore Girls, or The O.C.? You're not alone. Many of us instinctively turn to these familiar 'comfort' shows for relaxation—a habit that offers genuine psychological and neurological benefits.

As a therapist, I encourage embracing comforting routines for emotional grounding and revisiting favourite shows provides an accessible way to support mental well-being. Personally, I often return to Gilmore Girls, drawn to its small-town charm and quirky, flawed yet endearing characters. Each episode feels like sipping a warm cup of apple cider on an autumn day—cozy, familiar, and reassuring.

The Power of Predictability: Why Familiarity Feels Grounding

One of the main reasons we gravitate toward shows we've already seen is that they provide a sense of predictability, which can be particularly helpful for individuals with anxiety or ADHD. In an unpredictable world where chronic stress is common, knowing exactly what's going to happen next in a TV show can be incredibly soothing.

Neurologically, predictability reduces cognitive load and alleviates the stress of anticipating what’s to come. Your brain doesn’t have to work as hard to process new information or keep up with complex plot twists. Instead, it can rest in the comfort of the familiar, lowering stress levels and fostering a sense of stability and safety.

Nostalgia and Dopamine: A Feel-Good Combination

Rewatching a beloved show can trigger nostalgia, a powerful emotion linked to positive memories and feelings of connection. Research shows that nostalgia increases dopamine, the "feel-good" neurotransmitter responsible for motivation and pleasure. This explains why revisiting an old favourite can instantly boost your mood and provide a much-needed emotional lift.

Emotional Regulation: A Safe Space for Processing Feelings

When life feels overwhelming, returning to a familiar show can serve as an emotional regulation tool. Watching beloved characters navigate relatable challenges—whether it’s Lorelai and Rory working through their mother-daughter relationship or Chandler and Monica building a life together—can help us process our emotions in a low-stakes way.

Additionally, because you already know the plot, you can engage with the show at your own pace, or even have it playing in the background. There’s no anxiety about unexpected developments or stressful cliffhangers, allowing you to use the experience as a form of self-soothing.

Connection and Community: The Social Aspect of Comfort Shows

Many comfort shows foster a strong sense of community—both within the show itself and among fans. Rewatching a series like Friends or Gilmore Girls can create a feeling of social connection, even if you're watching alone. The characters may feel like old friends, offering companionship during hard moments or after a tiring day.

From a therapeutic standpoint, any form of connection—whether real or parasocial (our connection to fictional characters)—is a crucial component of mental health. As long as parasocial relationships remain grounded in reality, revisiting old favourite characters through nostalgic television can provide genuine comfort.

When to Embrace Comfort Shows and When to Switch It Up

Rewatching familiar shows and movies can be a powerful way to relax and practice self-care. The comfort of knowing what happens next can provide a sense of stability, making it easier to unwind after a long day. When done intentionally and in moderation, this habit can be a healthy way to manage stress.

However, it’s important to recognize when rewatching becomes a form of avoidance or escapism. If you find yourself turning to TV to escape responsibilities, difficult emotions, or personal growth, it might be time to explore other coping strategies. Talking through your stress with a therapist can help you process emotions in a more meaningful way.

Emotion-focused therapy (EFT), in particular, can guide you in understanding your emotions on a deeper level, reducing emotional burden without relying solely on loved ones who may not be equipped or have enough capacity to help. If you're ready to take the next step in your emotional well-being, consider therapy to support your coping and self-care.