The Dark Side of Entertainment: How Movies Can Make Us Depressed

We all love to be entertained. /// Whether it is watching a movie, TV show, or playing a video game, we enjoy escaping into another world for a little while. But what if that escape comes at a cost? What if watching certain movies can make us feel depressed?

According to Joe Dispenza, “Your brain and body don’t know the difference between having an actual experience in your life and just thinking about the experience—neurochemically, it’s the same.” So, if we watch a scary movie or true crime documentary and imagine ourselves in the situation, our brain will respond as if it's happening to us in real life. This can lead to difficulty falling asleep, increased anxiety, and even PTSD.

So, why do we do this to ourselves?

First of all, we like to be scared. It's a rush of adrenaline that can be addicting. According to some experts, we're hardwired for suspense. Apparently, when we see fear in others, it activates the same part of our brain that is triggered by physical pain. This causes us to feel empathy for the person who is afraid, which then makes us want to find out what happens next so we can see if they make it out alive.

It's easy to get caught up in the moment when we're watching a movie or TV show. We become so engrossed in the story that we forget it's not real. But just because something isn't real doesn't mean it can't have a real effect on us.

It's important to be aware of the impact that media can have on our emotions. If we know that watching certain types of movies can make us feel depressed, we can make the decision to avoid them. But sometimes, we might not be aware of the effect that a movie is having on us until it's too late.

How can we avoid letting these movies affect our mood?

If you're aware of the potential downside of watching certain types of movies, you can take steps to avoid letting them affect your mood.

Be selective. Popularity is not an indicator of quality. Make sure that what you watch will get your emotional state and mental health on track for growth instead of risking it all with something just because everyone else does too.

Make sure you're in a good emotional state. If you're feeling vulnerable or sensitive, it might not be the best time to watch a scary movie or true crime documentary. If you can, limit your intake of suspenseful content overall. Just like with anything else, moderation is the key when it comes to consuming suspenseful entertainment. Try mixing things up by watching comedies, dramas, or documentaries instead so that your mind gets a break from all the suspenseful action.

Take breaks. Consuming an entire season of a show in one sitting can be overwhelming. Try watching one episode every night instead to give yourself time to process what you've seen and allow your mind to relax before bedtime.

Talk about it. Discussing your favorite (or least favorite) parts of a show or movie can help you gain some perspective on what you've just seen.

Turn on the lights! When we watch TV in the dark, it's easier for our minds to believe that what we're seeing is real life since there are no other distractions around us. If possible, watch with the lights on or in a well-lit room so that your mind knows it's just entertainment. 

Don't watch right before bedtime. Our brains are more susceptible to being tricked into thinking something is real when we're tired, so try to finish your binge-watching session at least an hour before you go to sleep. 

Practice some self-care. Whether taking a relaxing bath or reading a feel-good book before bedtime, doing something nice after watching entertainment that negatively affected your mind can help ease any residual anxiety from what you've just watched.

We should be careful about the types of movies and TV shows we watch. Just because something is fictional doesn't mean it can't have dangerous and lasting impact on our emotions. If we're not careful, we can easily find ourselves in a negative emotional state after exposure to suspenseful content. By taking these precautions, we can protect ourselves from the negative emotional effects of suspenseful entertainment.

So next time you're looking for something to watch, ask yourself if it's worth the risk. And if you find yourself feeling negative after exposure to suspenseful content, be sure to practice some self-care. You deserve it.