Illustration by Aida Wilmo

I spent around 23 hours watching Netflix in February. I was shocked when I realized the amount of time I was absorbing Netflix. I have a full course load, play a college sport and work two jobs, but I managed to watch an hour of Netflix a day.
Binge-watching culture has me, and 73% of Americans hooked, according to Ashley Rodriguez, media editor in Business Insider, in her article, the average young American binge-watches TV for five hours straight.
The definition of binge-watching is defined as watching two to six episodes of a show in the same sitting, according to Jolanta Starosta and Bernadetta Izydorczyk in their article “Understanding the phenomenon of binge-watching-a systematic review,” published in the “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.” They also explain that binge-watching behavior has gained popularity largely because of streaming platforms, such as Netflix.
My first experience with binge-watching was while watching the show “Outer Banks.” That is a common binge-watching experience for many since it came out April 15, 2020, with most isolated because of Covid-19. Netflix was an easy way to pass the time. I watched the entire first season in one day! Almost eight hours in one day.
Since then, I have binge-watched many more shows, but not to that extent.
Why is binge-watching so easy to do? The answer lies in the fact that binge-watching feels like an escape. Immersing yourself in a series determined to have you hooked can feel like a form of stress relief. According to an editorial, “Binge watching: The science behind our TV addiction and its effects on the brain,” posted on NeuroLaunch.com last year, suggests that the escapism that comes with binge-watching can trigger a release of dopamine, creating a sense of comfort and satisfaction.
Binge-watching can become addictive because of the pattern it follows. Once you finish the show or season you may crave more and miss the dopamine release. Using autoplay makes watching even easier. When the next episode automatically begins without any effort, there is a greater chance you will continue watching.
Are there consequences to binge-watching? If you are like me and love watching an episode before bed, your sleep may be affected. The entertaining content may make it difficult to fall asleep, and your melatonin production may be low due to the blue light emitted from the screen. The temporary escape may be harming your productivity as well. Many people will procrastinate their responsibilities by binge-watching.
Sitting for long periods, a requirement of most binge-watching, also can take a toll on your body. After I watched the entire first season of “Outer Banks,” I felt like I could use a chiropractor appointment. The lack of self-control that can be associated with binge-watching is problematic as well.
But don’t fret. Like me, you can allow yourself to carry on binge-watching without all the negative impacts in moderation. Yes, binge in moderation. Implement strategies to avoid the negatives it can cause. Creating screentime limits is a step in the right direction.
A personal strategy I have used is watching while walking on the treadmill. If I am compelled to keep watching, I still am being active while watching. The key is to set an intention. If the intention is two episodes, power off after two and practice self-control. Don’t let the series consume your daily life.