Just One More Episode!

Hey There! Imagine... Sitting in a comfy bed with warm blankets on! Sipping on a hot cup of Tea... Munching a yummy snack...Ignoring the world and... Watching your most favourite Web Series!!! 

What happened to Hannah?

Who is Grey gonna choose?

What is Joe going to do to get back Beck?

Who killed Derek?

Will he escape the gun shot?

Will Guem Jan Di accept Goo Joon Pyo?

Why? What? Who?And why again?

“JUST 1 MORE EPISODE..!📺”

If you ever had the experience of watching a web series for hours together...  Then... Welcome Binge Watcher!!! It’s especially for you!

Binge Eating & Binge Drinking are very common terms, but at present, Binge Watching has also been added up! The word “BINGE’ means “To Soak”. The practice of streaming multiple episodes in one sitting is termed as Binge Watching. Globally used streaming platforms are Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney plus, Hulu, HBO Max, HBO Now, Apple TV Plus Etc., Specifically in India we stream Hot star, Zee5, ALTBalaji, Sony LIV, Viu, Jio TV, MxPlayer, Voot ,Viu including Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Netflix survey revealed that India ranks 2^nd place with 88% of public Binge Watchers in the world. Any guess on 1^st rank? It’s Mexico, standing 1^st with 89%.

Brain while Binging!

Brain produces Dopamine, a happy hormone which induces the feeling of pleasure, excitement and happiness. When we start to enjoy the web series Dopamine is produced and it craves for more and more which results in a state of   “High” similar to that of drugs.

At early 90’s Soviets researcher Bluma Zeigarnik and her work partner psychologist Kurt Lewin went to a restaurant & noticed something interestingly odd.Waiters remembered more of the unfinished orders from the tables rather than the finished ones. In other words, the memories of the unfinished ones were registered better than the ones who had already been done. After a series of tests made in 1927, “Zeignarik Effect” was found.That is, Our Brain never likes to be left with unfinished tasks, thus it narrows its attention and memory on them until they are completed.

In our case most of the episodes got a “cliff hanger” ending leaving us in a suspense or anxiety not to miss the upcoming episodes. This feeling of discontinuity and curiosity compel us to Binge “Just one More Episode”. This Phenomenon may have impact on Binge Watching but not yet scientifically proven.

Binge Watching acts as a Stress reliever to escape reality for a very short while.  Our untold desires and fantasies get fulfilled by empathizing with the Fictional Characters in the Series. A sense of completeness and achievement is felt at the end of the series. Binging with partner creates better connections and intimacy in relationships.

On the other side of the coin, it is a super cool Time Killer. It is so addictive that it affects our daily life routines. Binge watching affects our sleep pattern and results in Sleep deprivation. Studies had found that most of the Binge watchers suffer from Depression and Anxiety. During Binging we tend to gobble whatever is placed in the table or in the fridge, sitting for hours with mindless snacking leads to Obesity which may also leads to other serious complications. Health expert’s report that increased screen timing will lead to eye strain, neck and shoulder pain, dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision.

I was totally fascinated on this buzz worthy term ‘Super Bingers’- which can be described as watching a whole series with a short bathroom break. To be simpler, Super Binger can watch an entire series within 24 hours,uninterrupted.!

Bing watchers also experience “Show Hole”- A sense of emptiness felt strongly after completing your favourite series. They feel very sad and lost, missing their favourite characters at the end of the series. I have personally (!) experienced Show hole at the end of Korean Series like Playful-kiss, Boys over Flowers and Rooftop Princes.

Binge watching has its own Pros and Cons.Now let’s step back and introspect for a minute...Does binging affect my daily work? If Yes, I need to strike a balance!!! Evaluate yourself, listen to the Silent Alarm, if you feel like you are being affected physically and mentally, it’s high time to draw a line...and look around of-course reading, gardening and even dancing are awaiting for you!!