Binge-watching TV can make you feel like a zombie

Binge-watching TV can make you feel like a zombie, according to a recent study.

Researchers at the University of Michigan and the Leuven School for Mass Communication Research in Belgium found that higher binge-viewing frequency leads to poorer sleep quality, more fatigue and increased insomnia.

The researchers found the negative symptoms are associated only with binge-watching and not watching TV for shorter periods of time.

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‘Our study signals that binge viewing is prevalent in young adults and that is may be harmful to their sleep,’ said co-author Jan Van den Bulck, a U-M professor of communication studies.

For the study, the researchers surveyed 423 adults between the ages of 18 to 25 about their binge-watching habits in the past month to learn about affects on sleep quality, insomnia and fatigue.

Most of the sample – 81 percent – said they have binge-watched, with 40 percent saying they had done so in the 30 days prior to the study.

Additionally, 28 percent saying they did so more than once and 7 percent that did nearly every day. 

In regards to the frequency and  length of the binge-watching sessions, men binge-watched less frequently than women, but the viewing session nearly doubled that of women. 

On average, the participants said they slept seven hours and 37 minutes, yet those who binge-viewed reported more fatigue and sleep quality compared to those who didn’t binge-watch.

Even when people sleep an appropriate amount of time, the quality is not necessarily good, Liese Exelmans, the study’s lead author and researcher at the Leuven School for Mass Communication Research, said.  

‘These students have flexible daytime schedules,’ she said. 

‘Chances are they are compensating for lost sleep by sleeping in.’ 

The reason for the poor sleep quality was determined to be the cognitive arousal prior to sleep. 

‘Bingeable TV shows have plots that keep the viewer tied to the screen,’ Exelmans said. 

‘We think they become intensely involved with the content, and may keep thinking about it when they want to go to sleep.’ 

The researchers note binge-watching is unintentional and people get absorbed into a show with a ‘one more episode mentality’ 

‘This prolongs sleep onset or, in other words, requires a longer period to ‘cool down’ before going to sleep, thus affecting sleep overall,’ Exelmans said. 

‘They might not intend on watching a lot, but they end up doing so anyway.’ 

The findings have led the researchers to consider binge-watching a ‘risk factor’ for poor sleep. 

‘Basically, sleep is the fuel your body needs to keep functioning properly,’ Exelmans said.

‘Based on that research, it’s very important to document the risk factors for poor sleep – our research suggests that binge viewing could be one of this risk factors.’ 

Multiple studies have demonstrated the negative physical and mental health effects of binge-watching. 

Researchers from the University of Queensland discovered adults who binge watch television shows have less muscle strength.

A separate study out of the University of Toledo found watching two or more hours of television a day is linked with higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress. 

However, researchers said it was unclear if being depressed and anxious led them to watching TV or if binge watching made them unhappy and stressed. 

Other studies have had even more grim results.

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute in Michigan discovered  those who watch more than three-and-a-half hours of television a day are not only at risk of cancer and heart disease – illnesses commonly associated with long term laziness – but also diabetes, influenza, pneumonia, Parkinson’s and liver disease.

People who watched between three and four hours of TV a day were 15 per cent more likely to die from a common cause of death, compared to those who watched less than one hour a day, who died naturally.