In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, many individuals are turning to familiar media as a source of comfort. As media psychologist Danya Braunstein explains, people enter into media escapism as a way to mitigate the challenges they’re experiencing. This particular form of escapism has perhaps been more pronounced than ever, especially in younger viewers looking for comfort in familiar, nostalgic places.
Fifteen-year-old Jothika serves as the perfect example for this trend. To this day, she makes viewing decisions primarily through a nostalgic lens, easily deflected by her must-watch childhood classics. Meanwhile, her classmate Daniel confesses that he fast-forwards through parts of movies he’s watched too many times. What he takes solace in is their fealty. Austin, another teen, echoes this sentiment. To him, nostalgia is about returning to what you know in a way that makes you feel at peace and calm.
The Impact of Nostalgia on Viewing Habits
Our findings show that nostalgia exerts a powerful influence on viewing patterns, even among adolescents. Jothika reflects that her motivation to consume particular media comes largely from a fear of the unfamiliar. In these difficult days, much-loved tv programs provide comforting escape and a link to happier past days.
Austin certainly helps to amplify that notion, recounting stories of successful nostalgic programming. “You’ll catch me watching the same shows from my childhood,” he states. He elaborates on the emotional resonance these shows hold for him: “It brings back happy times or memories watching it with my family, my mates … it makes me calm.”
The relationship between comfort viewing and mental health is further underscored by a 2024 study from online mental health service ReachOut. The Young Australians in a Changing World report released by the Foundation revealed that 75% of young Australians (16–25 years) are very or extremely worried about the future. What’s more, for many, avoiding media has proved to be a powerful method of escaping these stresses.
The Role of Technology in Comfort Viewing
As cultural analyst Siobhan Lyons observes, the phenomenon of comfort viewing is not new. Its explosive growth is largely thanks to advances in technology. Streaming services provide audiences instant access to a mountain of existing programming that they already know and love. This means they can binge-watch their preferred programming however they like, without the burden of needing to look for fresh content.
Lyons argues that comfort watching is a product of our natural tendency to avoid danger. She elaborates, “It’s something that they recognize, it’s something that’s not seen as threatening.” As opposed to taking the risk of maybe spending an hour watching something that may not be as interesting as you hoped.” This wide-ranging availability offers people the opportunity to escape into a world where they are already aware of what’s going to happen, reducing stress and anxiety.
Braunstein points out that revisiting well-known media can be a huge mental comfort. “Our brain slows down to produce alpha waves, which are associated with being in a relaxed and dreamlike state,” she explains. This comforting influence cultivates a space for audiences to immerse themselves, or rather, unplug from the pressures of real life.
The Fine Line of Comfort Viewing
Even with positive results linked to comfort viewing, it’s still important to avoid overusing this practice, experts warn. Lyons emphasizes the importance of moderation. While returning to familiar shows can be comforting, overindulgence may hinder personal growth and exploration of new ideas.
Media choice isn’t so different from food choice Daniel muses on this idea over at Medium by likening media consumption to diet. “People, they like the same food, and they know it tastes good,” he observes. He admits that many people are hesitant to engage in new activities out of fear and the fear of the unknown. “Some people aren’t interested in trying new foods; it’s going out of their boundaries,” he adds.
For Jothika, comfort viewing is a closeto future, linking the nostalgia of past with the present. “For a show that I’ve already watched, it’s like, ‘Oh, I know what’s happening. I don’t need to stress about it,’” she shares. This equilibrium between what we know and what’s new is critical to keeping a positive balance with media consumption.
