Contests

LISTEN LIVE

This Is Your Brain On Binge-Watching

We know binge-watching your favorite shows can be fun, but what is it really doing to your brain? Dr. Randall Wright, a neurologist at Houston Methodist in Texas explains the…

(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

We know binge-watching your favorite shows can be fun, but what is it really doing to your brain?

Dr. Randall Wright, a neurologist at Houston Methodist in Texas explains the dangers. "It's important to recognize that the brain is not an isolated organ; it responds to its environment. When we binge-watch, we create an unhealthy environment for the brain because we're sitting for long periods of time, isolating ourselves from social activities and eating large amounts of unhealthy food."

How can you tell if you have a problem? If you're bingeing so much that you're watching a third, fourth, or fifth episode in lieu of a healthy activity.

Here are some tips to help you wean yourself off of the habit:

1. Make sleep your first priority. If you're ready for another show to watch and it interferes with your bedtime, don't do it.

2. Exercise. Take a walk before you watch and/or stand or exercise for at least five minutes while you watch.

3. Watch with friends. Make is a social occasion so you're not isolated.

4. And finally, select some healthy choices for snacking while you watch.

For more on this story, click here.

Roxanne is a co-host on the MJ Morning Show and host of Middays on Q105 in Tampa Bay. She also hosts segments on The Current, which features local feel-good stories and health and wellness segments, and airs on five of the six Tampa-based Beasley Media Group stations. Roxanne has conducted hundreds of interviews, from athletes to Oscar winners, including Matt Damon, Christian Bale, and Chadwick Boseman. She also specializes in media training, having worked with clients in the NFL, NBA and WWE for television, in print, and online. Roxanne is a published author and will be releasing a thriller novel in 2024. Her favorite thing in the world is being with her two daughters and husband. As a content creator for Q105, Roxanne writes about family activities in the Tampa Bay area, as well as reviews for local restaurants and travel.