The Comfort of Knowing the Ending: Why Students Rewatch to Relax

By Skylar Kirby

Staff Writer

Homework is done, and it is time to settle in for the night. “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” plays in the background before Brenna Randall closes her eyes after a busy day of classes, practices, and homework. 

“The hunger games series just doesn’t get old. I’ve watched it since I was little. Plus, I already know what is going to happen so it’s an easy watch,” said Randall, a freshman nursing major and regional volleyball and track and field athlete. 

After a long day of classes, chapel, practices, time with friends, and late-night studying, many Trevecca students unwind the same way. They press play on a show or movie they’ve already seen. From sitcoms to dramas, these “comfort shows” offer more than entertainment. They provide a sense of calm, familiarity, and emotional grounding in a busy season of life.

“Similar to comfort foods or things that are familiar to us, these comfort shows and movies release positive chemicals in our brain that relax us, make us happy, and even calm us down,” said Katherine Ramsaur, a clinical mental health intern at the Trevecca Counseling Center.

The parasympathetic nervous system gets activated when one is familiar with something. With comfort shows and movies, the sense of structure and predictability triggers a dopamine release that helps students decompress after a stressful day filled with work and social pressure, she said. 

“The parasympathetic nervous system is our rest and digest. If we get worked up, it’s how we calm back down,” said Ramsaur.

Comfort shows are an emotional tool for college students. By watching shows where the plot and characters are already known, students eliminate the anxiety of the unknown. 

According to Elizabeth Margulis, an author who researches theoretical behavior, nostalgia and familiarity play a factor in comfort shows as well. If one grew up watching a specific movie or show, they feel a connection with the characters. Knowing what will happen gives a sense of control.

“Friends is definitely my comfort show,” said Alina Plucinik, a freshman business management and leadership major. “It makes me feel cozy and I love that they all have each other’s back. Plus it makes me laugh when I’m sad.”

Several Trevecca students listed the same shows as their go-to comfort shows. Friends, The Office, and Gilmore Girls topped the list of several students. 

“There is definitely a film aspect when it comes to shows and movies people are drawn to. Whether it’s relatable characters or a specific genre,” said Seth Conley, professor of communications. “Ask a few people their top 3 shows and I’m sure you’ll see similarities between them.”

Ramasaur said that comfort shows and movies are a form of self-care for busy college students. It is an accessible way to find peace in a stressful time, as long as it’s not interfering with the day-to-day responsibilities of college life.

“It is important to note how often you find yourself watching these shows,” she said.  “There is nothing wrong with them, as long as it is not used to avoid daily tasks.”