It’s probably safe to say that everyone has binged Friends at least once (read: a hundred) times. It turns out that our favourite series can actually reduce your anxiety, according to clinical psychologist Marc Hekster.
The show was proved to relax those who watched it, and thanks to Ross, Joey, Chandler, Rachel, Phoebe and Monica’s ability to ‘fix’ every problem presented in each episode, viewers own problems tended to alleviate in their mind.
“Having worked for over a period of 20 years with those experiencing anxiety, I can conclude that among other factors, it is the repetitive and relational nature of programs such as Friends and Big Bang Theory that will be doing the trick,” Hekster told Metro.
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“Anxiety is, in fact, the human minds’ alarm system, indicating that something is wrong, and usually the result of pent-up and unprocessed feelings,” he added. “If they can’t find a way of being expressed, the alarm system triggers, and it is usually not very pleasant for the person suffering with anxiety. Few people who suffer from anxiety will have much good to say about it, and will want to escape it.
He continued, “[Watching Friends] is about an experience of repair, of watching the characters in the show repeatedly having worries, which then get repaired and soothed, usually in the context of other relationships in their lives. Complex problems are made the focus of each episode, and then they are resolved within the relationships which are the essence of the shows. It is pure escapism – excellent, bring i0
So anyone up for a Friends marathon?
WATCH: Jennifer Aniston Wears Ross’ Pants From ‘Friends’.
This article originally appeared on InStyle Australia.
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