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Picture this: you’ve had one of those days. Work felt endless, traffic was a nightmare, and by the time you’ve finally made it home, you just want to watch some mindless TV. So, you curl up on the couch, hit play on “Friends,” “The Office,” or “Brooklyn 99,” and suddenly life feels a little lighter and happier. You’ve seen them a thousand times, but it doesn’t matter.

We all have those shows we keep returning to because they feel like a warm comfy blanket. “The daily grind can be mentally exhausting, which is why nostalgic shows feel so comforting. Instead of adding to our mental load, they give us a much-needed escape,” says Clarissa Silva, a behavioral scientist.

“Sometimes, we need life to stay exactly the same for a few hours so that it can feel safe and stable,” says Aimee Daramus, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at Clarity Clinic, Chicago.

Why We Rewatch: The Psychology Behind It

In a world with a seemingly endless number of new shows and movies to watch, we sometimes feel guilty for reverting to an old favorite, like we’re being lazy and taking the easy way out. But in reality, there’s a lot more to it.

These are some of the reasons why we keep coming back to familiar stories and characters:

• Relaxation: With a new show, we have to follow all the plot lines, familiarize ourselves with new characters, figure out their motivations, and keep up with what’s happening. With a show we’ve already seen, there’s no pressure and our brain doesn’t have to work as hard. Familiar jokes, catchphrases, and characters can instantly lift our mood and help us unwind.
• Comfort and predictability: Our daily lives can be stressful and unpredictable. Old shows offer a sense of comfort and predictability because we know exactly what’s going to happen. There are no shocking plot twists or sad endings to worry about. Knowing exactly what’s going to happen makes us feel safe and soothed, especially when life feels stressful and chaotic.
• Nostalgia: Old shows reconnect us with past versions of ourselves, reminding us of who we were and what life looked like when we first watched them. Research shows us that watching classic content brings back memories from happier, simpler times, like when we were kids.
• Emotional connection: The (one-sided) emotional bonds we form with our favorite fictional characters are known as parasocial relationships. We grow attached to characters over time, so when we rewatch a show, it feels like we’re spending time with old friends, which can provide a sense of companionship and belonging. Research indicates that many people return to familiar content for these parasocial interactions.
• Friendship: Fictional characters are comforting because they always do and say the same things the same way and are always available to us in ways that human friends can’t be, says Dr. Daramus. “Each episode will always be exactly the same, and the characters will always be there for you.”
• Background noise: Sometimes it’s not about watching closely, but having something familiar on while we cook, clean, or scroll.
• Self-care: Taking some time off to chill and watch an old show helps us relax and recharge. It’s a form of self-care that can be quite restorative, says Silva.
• New nuances: Whether it’s a witty line, a funny face, or a reference we missed before, rewatching a show can help us discover delightful new details.
• Shared culture: Sharing our favorite show with a loved one can be a special experience. Further, being able to discuss episodes, quote lines from the show, recommend it to others, or make inside jokes bonds us with other fans, bringing a sense of community and belonging.

Science-Backed Mental Health Benefits

These are some of the mental health benefits of rewatching your favorite shows:

• Reduces cognitive load: “Our brains need to repair from the constant overstimulus we endure throughout the day,” says Silva. Watching a new show takes a lot of cognitive effort, but rewatching something gives our mind a break when we’re exhausted.
• Relieves stress and anxiety: Watching TV can be a form of escape when we’re stressed and anxious. Familiar storylines can feel grounding when life feels unpredictable, unlike the wild emotional rollercoaster of new content. Because we’ve seen it before, we know exactly how every episode ends, joke lands, and big twist resolves. “When we’re stressed and overloaded, it gives us a sense of control,” says Silva.
• Helps regulate emotions: When we’re feeling upset or overwhelmed, a comforting rewatch can help us regulate our emotions. We know the characters will overcome their challenges and that the ending will be happy, which gives us a sense of hope and comfort in our own lives.
• Combats decision fatigue: Our lives are packed with decisions, from what to wear in the morning to what to eat for dinner. This constant decision-making is exhausting. When there are way too many choices on streaming apps, going back to what’s familiar helps us avoid decision fatigue. It helps to not have to make more decisions in our day, says Silva.
• Boosts mood: Seeing funny or heartwarming moments we love can instantly cheer us up. In addition to helping us feel less depleted, it also provides our brains with a dopamine infusion, Silva explains.
• Creates a sense of belonging: Those characters may not be real, but we might still feel a strong connection to them. This connection can be comforting and create a sense of belonging.
• Alleviates boredom and loneliness: Research indicates that the nostalgia we experience when we rewatch a show can fight boredom, loneliness, and even homesickness, for those living away from home.

When Rewatching Becomes a Coping Strategy (In a Good Way)

Rewatching old favorites can actually be a surprisingly healthy coping strategy. Research shows that watching some TV now and then can serve as an easy way to escape reality for a little while and cope with anxiety, stress, and negative emotions.

While rewatching comfort shows has emotional, cognitive, and psychological benefits, it’s important to be mindful if this habit becomes an avoidance tactic or a replacement for engaging with new experiences, says Silva.

When to Be Mindful of the Habit

This behavior might be a red flag if it starts replacing other healthy ways of coping with difficult emotions. Research indicates that it can become an unhealthy habit if we binge watch excessively in order to cope with loneliness, depression, or social anxiety.

For example, if you’re constantly choosing to binge the same series instead of sleeping, connecting with friends, or tackling things that need your attention, it could be more of an avoidance strategy than self-care.

Rewatching shows should be balanced with in-person, healthy relationships, says Dr. Daramus. “You need to be mindful of this habit if you’re pushing away healthy relationships in the real world to stay in the fictional world, or when you can’t cope with the change and compromise that naturally occurs in human relationships.”

What determines how a child develops? While it is impossible to account for each and every influence that contributes to who a child eventually becomes, today, most researchers view development as a combination of both a child’s heredity and environment.

This involves considering factors such as genetics, parenting, experiences, friends, family, education, and relationships. By understanding the role that these factors play, researchers are better able to identify how such influences contribute to child development.

Overview

Think of these influences as building blocks. While most people tend to have the same basic building blocks, these components can be put together in an infinite number of ways. Consider your own overall personality. How much of who you are today was shaped by your genetic background and how much is a result of your lifetime of experiences?

This question has puzzled philosophers, psychologists, and educators for hundreds of years and is frequently referred to as the nature versus nurture debate. Are we the result of nature (our genetic background) or nurture (our environment)? Today, most researchers agree that child development involves a complex interaction of both nature and nurture.

Nature vs. Nurture

While some aspects of development may be strongly influenced by biology, environmental influences may also play a role. For example, the timing of when the onset of puberty occurs is largely the result of heredity, but environmental factors such as nutrition can also have an effect.

From the earliest moments of life, the interaction of heredity and the environment works to shape who children are and who they will become. While the genetic instructions a child inherits from their parents may set out a road map for development, the environment can impact how these directions are expressed, shaped, or even silenced.

In order to understand child development, it is important to look at the biological influences that help shape child development, how experiences interact with genetics, and some of the genetic disorders that can have an impact on child psychology and development.

Prenatal Child Development

At its very beginning, the development of a child starts when the male reproductive cell, or sperm, penetrates the protective outer membrane of the female reproductive cell, or ovum. The sperm and ovum each contain chromosomes that act as a blueprint for human life.

The genes contained in these chromosomes are made up of a chemical structure known as DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that contains the genetic code, or instructions, that make up all life. Except for the sperm and ova, all cells in the body contain 46 chromosomes.

As you might guess, the sperm and ova each contain only contain 23 chromosomes. This ensures that when the two cells meet, the resulting new organism has the correct 46 chromosomes.

Environmental Influences

So how exactly do the genetic instructions passed down from both parents influence how a child develops and the traits they will have? In order to fully understand this, it is important to first distinguish between a child’s genetic inheritance and the actual expression of those genes.

A genotype refers to all of the genes that a person has inherited. A phenotype is how these genes are actually expressed. The phenotype can include physical traits, such as height and color of the eyes, as well as nonphysical traits such as shyness and extroversion.

While your genotype may represent a blueprint for how children grow up, the way that these building blocks are put together determines how these genes will be expressed. Think of it as a bit like building a house. The same blueprint can result in a range of different homes that look quite similar but have important differences based on the material and color choices used during construction.

Gene Expression

Whether or not a gene is expressed depends on two different things: the interaction of the gene with other genes and the continual interaction between the genotype and the environment.

• Genetic Interactions: Genes can sometimes contain conflicting information, and in most cases, one gene will win the battle for dominance. Some genes act in an additive way. For example, if a child has one tall parent and one short parent, the child may end up splitting the difference by being of average height. In other cases, some genes follow a dominant-recessive pattern. Eye color is one example of dominant-recessive genes at work. The gene for brown eyes is dominant and the gene for blue eyes is recessive. If one parent hands down a dominant brown eye gene while the other parent hands down a recessive blue eye gene, the dominant gene will win out and the child will have brown eyes.
• Gene-Environment Interactions: The environment a child is exposed to both in utero and throughout the rest of his or her life can also impact how genes are expressed. For example, exposure to harmful drugs while in utero can have a dramatic impact on later child development. Height is a good example of a genetic trait that can be influenced by environmental factors. While a child’s genetic code may provide instructions for tallness, the expression of this height might be suppressed if the child has poor nutrition or chronic illness.

Genetic Abnormalities

Genetic instructions are not infallible and can go off track at times. Sometimes when a sperm or ovum is formed, the number of chromosomes may divide unevenly, causing the organism to have more or less than the normal 23 chromosomes. When one of these abnormal cells joins with a normal cell, the resulting zygote will have an uneven number of chromosomes.

Researchers suggest that as many as half of all zygotes that form have more or less than 23 chromosomes, but most of these are spontaneously aborted and never develop into a full-term baby.

In some cases, babies are born with an abnormal number of chromosomes. In every case, the result is some type of syndrome with a set of distinguishing characteristics.

Sex Chromosome Abnormalities

The vast majority of newborns, both boys and girls, have at least one X chromosome. In some cases, about 1 in every 500 births, children are born with either a missing X chromosome or an additional sex chromosome. Klinefelter syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and Turner syndrome are all examples of abnormalities involving the sex chromosomes.

Kleinfelter’s syndrome is caused by an extra X chromosome and is characterized by a lack of development of secondary sex characteristics, as well as learning disabilities.

Fragile X syndrome is caused when part of the X chromosome is attached to the other chromosomes by such a thin string of molecules that it seems in danger of breaking off. It can affect both males and females, but the impact can vary. Some with Fragile X show few if any signs, while others develop mild to severe intellectual disability.

Turner syndrome occurs when only one sex chromosome (the X chromosome) is present. It affects only females and can result in short stature, a “webbed” neck, and a lack of secondary sex characteristics. Psychological impairments associated with Turner syndrome include learning disabilities and difficulty recognizing emotions conveyed through facial expressions.

Down Syndrome

The most common type of chromosomal disorder is known as trisomy 21, or Down syndrome. In this case, the child has three chromosomes at the site of the 21st chromosome instead of the normal two.

Down syndrome is characterized by facial characteristics including a round face, slanted eyes, and a thick tongue. Individuals with Down syndrome may also face other physical problems including heart defects and hearing problems. Nearly all individuals with Down syndrome experience some type of intellectual impairment, but the exact severity can vary dramatically.

While everyone questions themself from time to time, you may be having an identity crisis if you are going through a big change or stressful time and internal questions regarding your sense of self begin to interfere with your daily life. You might also notice that you feel more irritable, unmotivated, or empty. Depending on the severity of your feelings and symptoms, there are several ways to deal with an identity crisis including professional treatment and social support.

The concept originates in the work of developmental psychologist Erik Erikson, who believed that the formation of identity was one of the most important conflicts that people face.

According to Erikson, an identity crisis is a time of intensive analysis and exploration of different ways of looking at oneself. Erikson noted that developing a sense of identity is important during the teenage years, though the formation and growth of identity is not confined to adolescence. Instead, identity shifts and changes throughout life as people confront new challenges and tackle different experiences. Thus, an identity crisis can occur at any age.

Symptoms of an Identity Crisis

A person going through an identity crisis may be preoccupied with certain questions:

• What am I passionate about?
• What are my spiritual beliefs?
• What are my values?
• What is my role in society or purpose in life?
• Who am I? (This question may be in general or in regard to relationships, age, or career.)

It is important to be aware that having negative feelings about yourself or your life can be an indicator of a vulnerability for depression. If you are also experiencing depression symptoms such as low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, and irritability, you should talk to a healthcare provider.

How Identity Develops

Erikson believed that identity was formed by experimenting with different behaviors and roles, as well as through social interactions. Researcher James Marcia expanded upon Erikson’s theory by suggesting that the balance between identity and confusion lies in making a commitment to an identity.

Marcia developed an interview method to measure identity. It looks at three different areas of functioning: occupational role, beliefs and values, and sexuality. He also identified four different identity statuses that people move through as they develop their identity:

• Foreclosure is when a person has made a commitment without attempting identity exploration.
• Achievement occurs when an individual has gone through an exploration of different identities and made a commitment to one.
• Diffusion occurs when there is neither an identity crisis nor commitment. Those with a status of identity diffusion tend to feel out of place in the world and don’t pursue a sense of identity.
• Moratorium is the status of a person who is actively involved in exploring different identities but has not made a commitment.

Marcia argued that identity crises help people move from one status to another; however, people don’t necessarily experience each of the statuses above.

Causes of an Identity Crisis

In Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, the emergence of an identity crisis occurs during the teenage years in which people struggle with feelings of identity versus role confusion.

People tend to experience an identity crisis at various points in life, particularly at points of great change, including:

Research also suggests that there are a number of factors that can influence whether a person experiences what is often referred to as a midlife crisis. Such factors include health issues, stress, and social support.

Having a mental health condition such as depression, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder may also increase the likelihood of experiencing an identity crisis.

Diagnosing Identity Issues

It is important to note that an identity crisis is not an actual psychological diagnosis. However, identity is a key criterion for diagnosing personality disorders, and it is possible to be diagnosed with an identity issue or disorder.

For example, dissociative identity disorder is when someone has two or more distinct identities or personalities. It is diagnosed if, in addition to these distinct identities, the person also has ongoing memory gaps and their symptoms cause distress in some areas of life.

An identity disturbance, which is a criterion for borderline personality disorder, occurs when there is “uncertainty about several issues relating to identity.” This can include having uncertainty about one’s self-image, gender identity, values, and long-term goals.

Treatment for an Identity Crisis

If an identity crisis is creating significant distress and interfering with your ability to function normally, a doctor or mental health professional can help. Talk to them about how you’re feeling and the changes or stress you’re experiencing in your life.

Depending on the severity of your identity issues and the effects they are creating, there are several treatment options.

Psychotherapy

Therapy can be helpful for addressing some of the underlying issues that might be contributing to your identity crisis. One approach known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) works to address the negative thoughts and behaviors that may cause issues with your view of yourself.

Group Therapy

Some studies have found group therapy to be helpful for treating identity crises, especially in adolescents. One such study reported positive results after engaging in group narrative therapy, which focuses on helping people find their voice through the stories they tell themselves.

Another noted similar findings after group-based reality therapy, which reinforces the power of making good choices.

Medication

If your symptoms are accompanied by anxiety or depression, your doctor may also suggest or prescribe medications (anti-anxiety or antidepressant medicines) to help with those conditions. 

Coping With an Identity Crisis

In many cases, there are steps you can take to help work through an identity crisis on your own. Some things that may be helpful as you confront questions about your identity include:

• Acknowledge and accept your feelings. Seek to identify and understand the feelings you have about your identity, then acknowledge and accept them. Tell yourself that it is okay to feel the way you do, extending the same grace to yourself as you would a friend.
• Explore your beliefs and interests. When you are questioning your sense of self, it can be helpful to look inward and think about the things you are passionate about. What are you interested in? Are there things that you no longer like? Asking questions and exploring new hobbies and interests can be a helpful way to get to know yourself better.
• Consider your goals. Spend some time thinking about your goals in life. What do you want to accomplish? What types of things bring you the most joy and happiness? An identity crisis might be a sign that some need is not currently being fulfilled, so finding ways to satisfy that need can bring a greater sense of fulfillment to your life.
• Get support. Having friends and family to lean on can help. Strong social support is an important part of mental well-being and can also be a way to gain the feedback and encouragement you need to feel comfortable with your identity. Friends, family members, social clubs, religious groups, team sports groups, and support groups can all be great places to find the support that you need.

There’s good reason to overcome an identity crisis. Researchers have found that those who have made a strong commitment to an identity tend to be happier and healthier than those who have not.

Exploring different aspects of yourself in the different areas of life, including your role at work, within the family, and in romantic relationships, can help strengthen your personal identity. Consider looking within to figure out the qualities and characteristics that define you and make you feel grounded and happy, as well as your values, interests, passions, and hobbies.