Mental health has become a top priority in today's global society. All around the world, people are beginning to take notice of the dangers that go hand-in-hand with stress and anxiety disorders.
Some people play sports in order to cope, others enjoy hobbies like reading and writing. But for me, nothing really works better than a little dash of reality TV. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that reality TV can actually be good for our mental health.
Up until the dawn of the new millennium, mental health was a taboo subject. It was something that was only mentioned in hush-hush therapy sessions, never to be brought to the forefront of our collective cultural paradigm.
According to a study conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, over 40 million adults in the US alone suffer from an anxiety disorder — that's nearly 20% of the entire population.
Physical activity and a good night's rest will do wonders. But for those looking for something more, the answer is staring your right in the face — reality TV.
At this point, those uninitiated are likely snickering behind their keyboards, and that's totally understandable. However, when you start to contrast your favorite shows/movies with some of the more iconic reality TV series, you'll find they have a lot in common.
The stories and struggles of the young athletes on Cheer stick with you. By the end, you'll be screaming from the sidelines of your living room — cheering them on.
Clearly, you haven't witnessed the tear-soaked goodbye/reunion between Teresa Giudice and her daughters, after she was carted off to/returned from prison for crimes her husband committed on The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
That is until you also come to know the cast of seafarers, and hear their heartbreaking stories of the loss of loved ones and personal tragedies.
Watching Anthony Bourdain in Parts Unknown will help to educate you on the power of sharing a meal with a complete stranger, break down your insecurities, and inspire you to travel the world.
One of the most daunting aspects of watching any new series is the understanding that it will come to an end. RHOBH has 12 seasons consisting of 250 45-minute-long episodes (and counting) — and that's just one franchise.
Attempting to turn off your brain isn't always an easy task. Watching a team of bakers turn milk, flour, and butter into a cheeseburger before your eyes is a surprisingly cathartic experience.
I'm tired of people telling me it's a "guilty pleasure." Sometimes, it's nice to watch something haphazardly and to not walkway feeling as if you've just suffered a panic attack. For all these reasons and more, that's why I turn to reality TV.
