Contentment Content: What to Watch for a Mental Health Boost

People spend a lot of time on screens nowadays, whether at home or on the go, watching movies, TV shows and web videos. This is especially true during COVID, as people increasingly spend time indoors.

Here’s what few people discuss, though: your media diet should be as balanced as your regular diet. Think of those true-crime procedurals and agitated political web videos as fried foods. They feel good in the moment, but over time they can turn your stomach and leave you feeling lousy.

In this article, let’s look at the fruits and veggies of video content – those shows, movies and web series that uplift rather than weigh down. Here are four types of content that can help give you the mental boost you need!

Look for the Happy Endings

Movies and shows with unresolved or unhappy endings are a necessary part of art. They depict a genuine part of the human experience and allow people to come to terms with negative feelings and circumstances. That said, you don't have to watch them all the time.

If you’re feeling particularly stressed or depressed, it’s okay to avoid unhappy endings. Search for movies and shows in which things work out well for the protagonists. Sometimes, you need a second-hand hit of joy and resolution in your life.

Get into ASMR

Autonomous sensory meridian response – or ASMR, as its commonly known – is a calming sensory sensation that’s since become its own genre of content. These videos typically feature sounds and images that are engineered to make you relaxed and content.

There are several ASMR videos available on streaming platforms like YouTube, some more effective than others. If you need a slow-paced, nerve-soothing video experience, try searching for ASMR videos.

Watch an Uplifting Talk Show

Sometimes, you need to listen to real people talk about real issues. But the news can be distressing in its alarmism sometimes, so where do you turn?

Look for talk shows that tackle important issues in a generous and empathetic fashion. For instance, there’s a new talk show hosted by Jada Pinkett Smith called Red Table Talk, where she sits down with her mother and daughter to discuss current hot-button topics. The conversation is warm, the tone convivial, but the content is always instructive and illuminating.

Chill with a Nature Documentary

Neuroscientists agree that nature has a calming effect on the human mind. Not everyone has access to the outdoors, however – especially not during quarantine and lockdown. If you’re looking to unwind, but you only have a TV or tablet handy, the next best thing to a nature walk is a nature documentary.

Stunningly filmed, jubilantly narrated docs like Planet Earth are a good place to start. They often feature the success stories in nature – the prey that gets away from its predator, and the babies that learn to thrive in their natural environments.

There’s a time and place for hard-hitting news, sad films and action-packed shows, but if you want something a little gentler, try these four types of content.