(ThySistas.com) Fantasy worlds of feuding families. Comedic attempts at love by awkward people. Incredibly horrors and twisted endings of murders. You could find all of these on different streaming services that are currently available to you. They will take you on your own personal rollercoaster of euphoria that you will probably never want to get off of.
Then, you wonder why weeks later you are asking your doctor why you are having recurring headaches and problems with your sight.
It is not by accident that you are experiencing those symptoms. You are also not by yourself. 70% of US consumers admit that they binge watch TV shows, and they can usually watch an average of 5 episode in one binge session. There is a solution, however, that will not cause as many physical problems to you. It is called reading.
Why has reading not been a prevalent recommendation among the “stay at home” activities advertised on YouTube, cable channels, and
billboards as you drive to and from the grocery store? What is the issue with opening a book or a magazine in order to entertain yourself? For one, reading has gone from being a form of entertainment to a form of work. A study by Scholastic’s Kids & Family Reading Report, 2015, states that 61% of students ages 15 to 17 do not read a book of their choice at all in school. As these students become adults, it is not a habit to read for the fun of it. Another reason is because of time. Reading takes patience: find your book, find somewhere to read, actually turn pages, etc. It is not as easy as turning on a screen and flipping to what you want. These two attributes make reading less enticing than the new popular series on Netflix.
So what can reading do that binge watching does? First, it allows for imagination just like streaming shows. Authors take the time to cultivate words into sentences that allow for your brain to have fun creating imagery in your mind. Also, it allows a relaxation that most screens will not allow your eyes or brain to have. According to a 2009 study, reading reduced stress levels by as much as 68 percent, which was more than listening to music, having a cup of tea, playing video games, or going for a walk. Reading a book also helps keep a dying industry alive that is needed. Our brains need books to continue working. Our society needs books that can stay around even when electricity and internet dies.
This digital age of Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and other streaming options is amazing. It is a joy not having to wait for your favorite show to come on at a certain time. It is easy to find your favorite movie. It is awesome to be able to sit on a couch all day and get through seasons of your favorite TV series without having to deal with commercials and ending credits. The same experience can happen by simply opening a book or a magazine. Choose today to stir your imagination and harmony by simply reading more and binging less.
Staff Writer; J. W. Bella
May also follow this talented sister online over at; JWB Writes.