To binge or not to binge watch (Feature)

You just finished writing a six-page paper, you deserve a break right? So you go on Netflix and realize that the new season of Orange is the New Black just came out. You tell yourself, “Okay, only one episode.” Five hours later you find yourself halfway through the season. You just fell victim to binge watching.

Binge watching is a problem most millennials have encountered throughout the past years, especially since Netflix has become more popular. But why do we binge watch? Why is it that our bodies won’t allow us to be pulled away from the screen? According to Psychology Today, neuroscience can be part of the reason we become “binge-watchers.” Our ability to relate to fictional characters and feel empathy towards them is a large part in why we can’t keep our eyes and attention off the screen.

Binge watching can affect anyone. Sam Beekman a student of UW Green Bay said that whenever she gets into a new show on Netflix, it is difficult to turn it off. “I just started watching Friends on Netflix. It’s a pretty hefty show, 10 seasons, each with 24 episodes. Now that it’s summer when I get home from work, if I don’t have plans I just find myself binge watching Friends until I fall asleep.” The less things Sam has to do, the more likely she is to binge watch.

Another college student who falls victim to this new epidemic is Amber Westphal of UW Whitewater. Her problem is she gets too attached to the characters. “I’ve watched One Tree Hill twice on Netflix in the past year. I just love the characters so much and feel intertwined with them. Like whenever Peyton and Lucas breakup, I feel like I just got broken up with too.” Amber is a classic case of having too much emotion tied to binge watching.

Amber and Sam are both a part of the generation becoming known as “binge watchers.” For a different perspective I asked Lisa Tousey, a high school teacher, who is a part of the “couch potato” generation for her opinion. Lisa Tousey grew up when technology started booming and quickly found herself glued to the television like many children. “I think binge watchers are just the generation stemmed off of couch potatoes. The only thing now is you can skip ads and get content through many different devices.” Lisa believes that each generation is slowly diverging into a new era of how they consume things and that binge watching is making today’s generations less competent.

So how do we put an end, or at least decrease the amount of episodes and times we binge watch? Life Hacker said that first and foremost do not start a show when you have things you need to get done. If you have a paper, test, or just a lot of chores to do, do not click “Play Episode 1.” Once you start binge watching, it is difficult to stop. Second, they say to pace yourself. Shows become a lot more enjoyable when you don’t know what's going to happen next. If you wait a few days, the suspense will build up making it that much better. Third, make yourself earn the next episode. Reward yourself after finishing a paper or putting away laundry with another episode. This is an example of classic positive reinforcement at work.

There are also alternatives for binge watching. According to Odyssey Online there are a variety of things to do to keep your eyes off the screen. Take a walk, paint your nails, hang out with friend, cook, or starting something new are all alternatives. The main idea is to keep yourself busy and occupied. The more downtime you have, the more you will be tempted to start that show.

If you have a lot on your plate like two papers, one exam, and a boat load of chores, do not binge watch. Keep yourself occupied by doing the chores first. Then reward yourself with food, painting your nails, or going to see friends. After you write a paper reward yourself with one episode, then get right back to business. It’s good to take little breaks if you are super busy, but remember, 5 hours of one show consecutively is not a break. It’s binge watching and you can beat it!