Which Forms of Entertainment Are Good for Your Mental Health
Think you know?
We all appreciate being entertained.
There's nothing like turning on your favorite TV show, listening to music, or creating something artsy. It just makes you feel good.
Though you may not think it, some forms of entertainment do wonders for your mental health. Keep scrolling to discover the surprising benefits everything from art and music to TV and movies offer for your well-being.
Music
There are so many benefits listening to music offers, many of which are not too well known. One is that it reduces stress and can help one relax both physically and mentally. The next time you feel particularly tense, turn on some tunes to change that.
Listening to music, specifically more upbeat songs, can instantly make you feel more optimistic. One study found that those who listened to more cheerful hits were able to boost their mood within two weeks.
Not only that, but listening to music has also been linked to improving memory and sleep quality. If you aren't listening to music right now, we hope that changes.
Art
Whether you appreciate drawing and painting or sculpting and ceramics, art does quite a lot for your mental health. For one, it distracts you from the same thoughts you have running through your brain. It takes your mind off whatever is stressing you out and puts you in a more creative environment that is conductive to a happier, healthier lifestyle.
One study even found that getting artsy can increase psychological and emotional resilience, along with resistance to stress.
Not the greatest artist? Don't fret! Opting for something like a coloring book should do the trick.
Books
In case you didn't already know, reading is fantastic for your mental health for a plethora of reasons. As with many forms of entertainment on this list, it's been known to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Reading can also increase your intelligence, improve your memory, and help you sleep better.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of reading is that it can prevent Alzheimer's disease, because it enhances brain power and memory skills. We hope this inspires you to open a book when you get home tonight.
TV Shows
Binge-watching has become second nature at this point. We all can watch an entire TV series in one sitting. And though there are some negative side effects associated with doing so—feeling isolated, disconnected, depressed, or anxious—there are some benefits to binge-watching responsibly. Again, it reduces stress, promotes a healthy living, inspires change, allows us to better express our emotions, and offers us an escape from what's got us down. So binge away, but be sure to set a time frame, so you don't reap the rewards doing so has to offer.
Movies
Just as art therapy exists, so does movie therapy. Cinema therapy can be used to help one cope with a variety of situations, such as the loss of a loved one or a recent cancer diagnosis. Watching these films helps one better understand how to deal with a situation, maybe in a way you never thought would work.
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