Nostalgia: why it’s healthy for you to keep returning to your favourite TV series

Rewatching favourite shows you know almost by heart can be good for you, increasing a sense of belonging and reducing loneliness.
Image: Possessed Photography/ Unsplash.

Anjum Naweed, CQUniversity Australia

How often do you find yourself hitting ‘play’ on an old favourite, reliving the same TV episodes you’ve seen before – or even know by heart?

I’m a chronic re-watcher. Episodes of sitcoms like Blackadder (1983–89), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–21), Doc Martin (2004–22) and The Office US (2005–13) – a literal lifetime of TV favourites – are usually dependable in times of stress.

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