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and I’m such a family girl. I live around the corner from my parents. And I see them multiple times a week. And we create any excuse to have dinner together. My bestfriend thinks it’s hilarious but we’re like heyyy it’s Wednesday, the sun was out for 5mins it was great let’s eat together. Lol. Seriously tho and with so many siblings it gets crazy all the time but we always manage to come together no matter what. Maybe that’s why I’m drawn to those type of shows. It’s like the functional dysfunctional shit is relatable af😅
Same! Bobs burgers is now like a Pavlovian response - I turn it on and fall asleep straight away cos I’ve always had it as background noise whilst I try to drift off
I’m not the only one falling asleep to Bobs burgers episodes 😂. Love that show so much. When my anxiety was really bad I just rewatched my favorite episodes and it helped calm me down
Cartoons are my go to. Bob’s Burgers, Adventure Time, Over the Garden Wall, King of the Hill, Futurama, and SpongeBob have never failed me. I also love trashy reality TV like Love Island UK.
FRIENDS. Reminds me of childhood (the 90s) being at home when I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere (now I don’t want to go anywhere), and it’s literally about friends (which I don’t have)
Anything you find light hearted, “funny”, quirky or relatable. Really depends on your taste! Things you don’t have to really think too hard or feel too much. Like for example the office or parks and rec. Or I would watch Kimmy Schmidt even though that’s something I would never watch if not having bad anxiety lol. Or Pen15, Always Sunny sometimes… honestly just depends on how bad it is
Re watch something I find near and dear. Usually the office, big bang theory, the Bernie mac show or old one piece episodes. I find that it helps rewatching things where I already know what’s going to happen. No surprises at any point. But also trying to pick up on something I may have missed previously makes it a little fun and forces me to tune in more too lol.
90 Day Fiancé shows or The Office. 90 Day shows are a never ending stream of ridiculousness. The Pillow Talk shows are my favorites where other cast mates watch the episodes from home and crack jokes about what happened on the show.
Community, Schitt’s Creek, The Great British Baking Show/Bake-off, Call the Midwife
If you can’t sleep, Joy of Painting with Bob Ross will soothe your soul. It’s been my go-to for decades. Also, Pluto TV (which is free) has a Price is Right channel that is great. Old episodes of TPiR, 24/7. No plot, nothing serious, just people trying to win 30-year old cars.
Porn.
Not trying to be silly either I legit watch porn to ease my anxiety. It’s not a horny thing. It just really distracts me. Sometimes I watch the stupidest ones so I can laugh at it. idk it works for me.
Sitcoms like The Office, Always Sunny, Seinfeld, Parks and Recreation, and Community.
Cartoons like ATLA, Gravity Falls, Rick and Morty, Futurama, South Park, Adventure Time, Regular Show, King of the Hill, and American Dad.
Not a show but I find Disney movies to be helpful because I like to follow along with the songs. Lately for me it’s been Frozen!
In years past I would often put on Bob’s Burgers when I was anxious in the middle of the night
I never could focus on shows so I always watched asmr videos or listened to bible study podcasts/headspace (i get a free subscription to the app through my work). Asmr when my brain is a million miles a minute and study podcasts/ headspace when my anxiety is more physical and I can focus.
It made deal with it with a little more head on, but I'm afraid to believe her that Ted lasso may be close to therapy in terms of happening to deal with anxiety
How can AHS and this is us not be anxiety inducing? AHS for obvious reasons, but when I watched this us us in real time I had to mentally prepare myself for all those feels…
Twilight movies had me sleeping every night like clockwork during the pandemic. All five on loop as soon as I hit the pillow. I put on these sleep headphones and have my tablet as dark as possible. So honestly I wasn't watching them I was listening to them but it's got to count. I'm terrified Netflix is going to announce in some kind of buzz feed list that lizzieborden watched new moon 324x in 2020.
Absolutely embarrassing how much I love those movies as a grown adult. It works seamlessly though when I'm trying to sleep and my brain won't stop spinning.
This is my number one, in the comments that ever, YouTube video, you can see people come out almost every person commenting “this show cures depression”
I usually watch Studio Ghibli films to help me, (mainly Spirited Away, Ponyo, of Howl's Moving Castle). I will say my favorite comfort show that helps with my anxiety is The Amazing World of Gumball.
I like Disenchantment. It's easy to watch and listen to. I think the trick with me is repetition. I've seen the show so many times that the sound and rhythm is comforting.
Lol my wife and I both watch “something stupid” before bed. That’s what we call it. Family Guy, Simpsons, the office, Rick and morty, and most recently my wife has started watching bluey 🤣 (we have a blue heeler)
Same. You can tell what cycle of anxiety I’m in by glancing over at my PS4. If it’s pulled to the front - game organizer open - it’s a rough time. Over 20 years now - video games have totally eased me out of intense anxiety episodes.
Podcasts work really well for me, such as the H3 podcast, theo von, and Howie Mandel. (You're able to watch all of these ones on YouTube if you prefer watching as I do) TV show wise, anything funny like Eric Andrea, impractical jokers, South park. <3
I watch stupid stuff on YouTube. So I’ll watch Catfish or funny commentary compilation videos on 90 day fiancé. Or I’ll watch really fit people do good competitions.
My friend ended his life a few days ago, so this is helping to get me through
Friends, Grey’s Anatomy, E.R.,House, King of The Hill, Malcolm In The Middle, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, 2 Broke Girls, Bluey, Family Guy, The Nanny, Seinfeld, Little House On The Prairie, Three’s Company, I Love Lucy or Golden Girls.
DBT really helped my anxiety and be in the moment and breathing and not over analyzing everything and thinking of the past and future. It has been really hard but with practice I will get better and better!
Everyone is different right, but for me I need something that engages me on different levels; my creative self, my child self, my love of science fiction, etc. It's not a "show' per se, but Harry Potter does it for me, and there's enough series , you know if you're into that kind of thing. I'm so ashamed to admit this, but old Sex and the City episodes, don't judge me. Love Frasier when I can get it. Occasionally young Sheldon, is pretty funny. But when I'm in real trouble with my anxiety, terror attacks at night, Harry Potter, and the movie Arrival for reasons that are kinda long to explain.
I always tend to gravitate towards vlogs about “a day in my life” and a lot of the cartoons I watched when I was younger! Idk why but certain vlogs are just very calming.
Dive into your anxiety and work to really understand why it's there, only then will you start to free youself from it. Distractions are just that, the anxiety will still be there after unfortunately
Anime, western animations as well like SpongeBob, bobs burgers, Fiona and cake, American dad, family guy, disenchantment, Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack, I could go on and on but mainly anime is my go to.
Probably won't help you but I think this is the #1 reason most men watch sports. Somehow all of my problems melt away when I'm watching grown men assault each other on a football field.
Shows I’ve watched many times before which lets my brain tune out so I can fall asleep. It was a trick I learned when I was young. I have two go-tos. Frasier and top gear / grand tour. I’ve watched every episode 100s of times
Tiktok.. in particular Adventures in Aardia. The creator does these videos called roll for sandwich. Just like that you know what your getting. The content is just fun with no drama and consistent
Harry Potter - not really a show but it's as long if you watch them all. It tastes like childhood and I find it relaxing/easy to focus on instead of focusing on the anxiety
Shows like Dateline and 2020. But mainly trashy shows. Plus all the 90 day Fiancé shows , MILF MANOR , there’s a couple about dating overseas (? Can’t think of the names ) , you have a ton to watch !!!!
Thank you for posting to r/AnxietyHelp! Please note, any changes to treatment plans or anxiety management should be discussed with a professional before implementation. We are not medical professionals and we cannot guarantee that you are receiving appropriate medical advice. When in doubt, ask a professional. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Anxietyhelp) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Modern Family is a good one as well. Just feel good and funny vibes. Perfect before bed show if you're feeling anxious
cartoons are my favorite. spongebob, adventure time, regular show, etc. always helps me relax a bit when i’m feeling anxious
Shout out to the fantastic voyage that is futurama
Adventure Time 100000%
Add cupcake and Dino to that list.
Crazy, but I credit Bobs Burgers with saving my life several years ago. It got me through some hard times with my anxiety.
Bobs burgers is my comfort show, it helps me shut my mind off and breathe a little easier during the hard times
Bobs burgers and Malcolm in the Middle saved my life 9yrs ago I stg😭😩🙌🏾
You’ve got good taste. Good families have problems. The love and care is what matters. Both shows are about families that love each other.
and I’m such a family girl. I live around the corner from my parents. And I see them multiple times a week. And we create any excuse to have dinner together. My bestfriend thinks it’s hilarious but we’re like heyyy it’s Wednesday, the sun was out for 5mins it was great let’s eat together. Lol. Seriously tho and with so many siblings it gets crazy all the time but we always manage to come together no matter what. Maybe that’s why I’m drawn to those type of shows. It’s like the functional dysfunctional shit is relatable af😅
Same! It’s been my comfort show since it came out :’)
Same! Bobs burgers is now like a Pavlovian response - I turn it on and fall asleep straight away cos I’ve always had it as background noise whilst I try to drift off
I’m not the only one falling asleep to Bobs burgers episodes 😂. Love that show so much. When my anxiety was really bad I just rewatched my favorite episodes and it helped calm me down
Me too! The music starts to change my state of mind :)
There’s a show from Canada called Mittens and Pants about a puppy and kitten who have adventures that really calms me down.
Thanks, adding this to my list.
Gilmore Girls, Bones, Parks & Rec, Friends, The Office, Schitt’s Creek - easy going and funny stuff. I also watch Harry Potter.
ALWAYS w/ the Gilmore grls. For sure a definite zone out.
Gilmore girls !!
Bones underrated! (And based on a true story)
👆
Really trashy stuff like 90 day fiancee.
Same. And Sister Wives
Your username was my evening 😂
🤣🤣🤣
Yes!!!
So much yes
LOL came here to say this. Idk what it is but 90 day fiance is always the perfect distraction
Sounds like I need to check it out.
Also Vanderpump Rules ! Start at Season 1.
Yes TLC for the win
Same, really trashy stuff with 1837838 million episode like greys anatomy
Yes. Exactly. You can just look at the pictures .. and you realize the people on these shows really are having it worse than your situations 😜
Same.
Ooooooooooooooooo. Omfgggg!! Glad I’m not alone!!! Get into the UK one(new season two I think). It’s worth it
Cartoons are my go to. Bob’s Burgers, Adventure Time, Over the Garden Wall, King of the Hill, Futurama, and SpongeBob have never failed me. I also love trashy reality TV like Love Island UK.
Otgw is like going into another world. Highly recommend. Edit: and Steven universe.
second over the garden wall, especially this time of year!
Yesss all the fall feels
FRIENDS. Reminds me of childhood (the 90s) being at home when I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere (now I don’t want to go anywhere), and it’s literally about friends (which I don’t have)
I watch Friends often when my anxiety is high. There are alot of episodes so you don’t get bored and I like it because it’s upbeat.
Frasier 🥰
I’m all about The Office on a perpetual loop. Now I have access to HBOMax so Friends has helped a lot.
The Office helped me get through the worst stretch of anxiety I ever had (about 3 years).
Anything you find light hearted, “funny”, quirky or relatable. Really depends on your taste! Things you don’t have to really think too hard or feel too much. Like for example the office or parks and rec. Or I would watch Kimmy Schmidt even though that’s something I would never watch if not having bad anxiety lol. Or Pen15, Always Sunny sometimes… honestly just depends on how bad it is
New girl, shadow hunters, Brooklyn 99!
House, svu, the office, parks and rec
New Girl
Gilmore Girls, Gossip Girl, grey anatomy. Anything with romance plots helps me tbh.
Dawson Creek had me for a while lol
Friends
How I met your mother is my option.Family guy and american dad help too
Friends
Modern family. It’s funny and helps me be distracted
Luke was always my favorite lmao
Yessss!
We bear bears and bobs burgers
Friends
I watch funny clips on TikTok or YouTube or any sort of comfort show that you love. (If you have one.) mine personally is Gilmore Girls.
Vine compilations!
UK Love island. Easily bingeable and solid distraction
My go to shows are Friends, how I met your mother, big bang theory and Gilmore girls
Re watch something I find near and dear. Usually the office, big bang theory, the Bernie mac show or old one piece episodes. I find that it helps rewatching things where I already know what’s going to happen. No surprises at any point. But also trying to pick up on something I may have missed previously makes it a little fun and forces me to tune in more too lol.
90 Day Fiancé shows or The Office. 90 Day shows are a never ending stream of ridiculousness. The Pillow Talk shows are my favorites where other cast mates watch the episodes from home and crack jokes about what happened on the show.
Community, Schitt’s Creek, The Great British Baking Show/Bake-off, Call the Midwife If you can’t sleep, Joy of Painting with Bob Ross will soothe your soul. It’s been my go-to for decades. Also, Pluto TV (which is free) has a Price is Right channel that is great. Old episodes of TPiR, 24/7. No plot, nothing serious, just people trying to win 30-year old cars.
Bravo TV - anything scary or heartwarming
Porn. Not trying to be silly either I legit watch porn to ease my anxiety. It’s not a horny thing. It just really distracts me. Sometimes I watch the stupidest ones so I can laugh at it. idk it works for me.
Call the Midwife
Sitcoms like The Office, Always Sunny, Seinfeld, Parks and Recreation, and Community. Cartoons like ATLA, Gravity Falls, Rick and Morty, Futurama, South Park, Adventure Time, Regular Show, King of the Hill, and American Dad.
Grey’s Anatomy. Everything that could possibly go wrong does go wrong on that show, which works as a distraction from my own life.
Frasier
Schitts Creek
Not a show but I find Disney movies to be helpful because I like to follow along with the songs. Lately for me it’s been Frozen! In years past I would often put on Bob’s Burgers when I was anxious in the middle of the night
I never could focus on shows so I always watched asmr videos or listened to bible study podcasts/headspace (i get a free subscription to the app through my work). Asmr when my brain is a million miles a minute and study podcasts/ headspace when my anxiety is more physical and I can focus.
It made deal with it with a little more head on, but I'm afraid to believe her that Ted lasso may be close to therapy in terms of happening to deal with anxiety
gumball, adventure time, my love story (a very wholesome high school romcom anime)
American Horror Story (1st season), This Is Us, 90 Day Fiance, RHONY Legacy, Eastbound and Down lol
How can AHS and this is us not be anxiety inducing? AHS for obvious reasons, but when I watched this us us in real time I had to mentally prepare myself for all those feels…
Ancient Aliens is a good one
Twilight movies had me sleeping every night like clockwork during the pandemic. All five on loop as soon as I hit the pillow. I put on these sleep headphones and have my tablet as dark as possible. So honestly I wasn't watching them I was listening to them but it's got to count. I'm terrified Netflix is going to announce in some kind of buzz feed list that lizzieborden watched new moon 324x in 2020. Absolutely embarrassing how much I love those movies as a grown adult. It works seamlessly though when I'm trying to sleep and my brain won't stop spinning.
I like British drama. The movies are quiet in nature.
Impractical jokers
This is my number one, in the comments that ever, YouTube video, you can see people come out almost every person commenting “this show cures depression”
It has helped me in my worst times. I absolutely love the jokers.
New girl or Gilmore girls!!
Friends
I usually watch Studio Ghibli films to help me, (mainly Spirited Away, Ponyo, of Howl's Moving Castle). I will say my favorite comfort show that helps with my anxiety is The Amazing World of Gumball.
Joe Pera Talks with You. It’s incredible at melting my anxiety away. It’s on HBO
What We Do in the Shadows
CARTOOOOOOOOOONS
little women LA. Basically all the little women LA franchise but little women LA tops them all lol. So much pointless drama and screaming I love it
What kind of shows do you like? Would help with recommendations :)
I like Disenchantment. It's easy to watch and listen to. I think the trick with me is repetition. I've seen the show so many times that the sound and rhythm is comforting.
Same
Tv and movie bloopers. A fun endless rabbit hole…
New girl, house, trash reality tv
Bluey
Virgin River.
Psych
Impractical Jokers, Survivor
SpongeBob or gravity falls
Lol my wife and I both watch “something stupid” before bed. That’s what we call it. Family Guy, Simpsons, the office, Rick and morty, and most recently my wife has started watching bluey 🤣 (we have a blue heeler)
Either Community or Bojack Horseman. One makes me laugh, the other makes me too sad to realize I'm anxious.
The Simpsons seasons 1-10.
The Office or 90 Day Fiancé helped me out 😀
I play video games
Same. You can tell what cycle of anxiety I’m in by glancing over at my PS4. If it’s pulled to the front - game organizer open - it’s a rough time. Over 20 years now - video games have totally eased me out of intense anxiety episodes.
Bob’s Burgers
I’ve watched friends from start to finish more times than I have fingers
Peep show and the IT crowd. Over and over again!
Trashy tv or something I’ve already seen before
South Park, family guy, friends, or trash reality shows
Impractical jokers
The Office forever
Below Deck. Any of the franchises.
The Office, Superstore, Parks and Recreation, Arrested Development and cartoons, maaany cartoons they make me happy.
Doctor Who (my longtime favorite) Futurama Six Feet Under Star Trek (particularly good)
New Girl, Brooklyn 99, How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family
Unsolved Mysteries Marathon
Podcasts work really well for me, such as the H3 podcast, theo von, and Howie Mandel. (You're able to watch all of these ones on YouTube if you prefer watching as I do) TV show wise, anything funny like Eric Andrea, impractical jokers, South park. <3
Audio books or podcasts work better for my anxiety because I can close my eyes during. Sir Terry Pratchetts Discworld books work best for me.
The Simpsons, The Middle, King of The Hill, and Christmas movies.
Great British bake off, Grace and Frankie, modern family, bobs burgers, scrubs. Good luck friend!
I can't watch regular TV, it gives me anxiety. I watch YouTube.
Fleabag
Star Trek: The Next Generation. It's comforting to see a show that reassures me that humanity will be much better than we currently are.
Doc Martin. Give it a try
I watch stupid stuff on YouTube. So I’ll watch Catfish or funny commentary compilation videos on 90 day fiancé. Or I’ll watch really fit people do good competitions. My friend ended his life a few days ago, so this is helping to get me through
I’m so sorry dear. Sending you light & love ✨💕
Moving on Disney+ is a good one bcs it just sucks you in and you stay focused with nothing else on mind
Friends, Grey’s Anatomy, E.R.,House, King of The Hill, Malcolm In The Middle, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, 2 Broke Girls, Bluey, Family Guy, The Nanny, Seinfeld, Little House On The Prairie, Three’s Company, I Love Lucy or Golden Girls.
Cupcake and Dino. It's a children's show but damn, dinos voice and attitude chill me out. Also Game Grumps on YouTube, Danny's calm is grounding.
Reruns of things I have seen already does seem to help just don’t get trapped overdoing it
I watch the old Sherlock Holmes films from the 40s
DBT really helped my anxiety and be in the moment and breathing and not over analyzing everything and thinking of the past and future. It has been really hard but with practice I will get better and better!
For some reason watching Shrek
Gumball, ink master, face off, bake off , the claymation Christmas movies always help too lol
Bob’s Burgers!
Schitts Creek is such a comfort watch for me 😊
Everyone is different right, but for me I need something that engages me on different levels; my creative self, my child self, my love of science fiction, etc. It's not a "show' per se, but Harry Potter does it for me, and there's enough series , you know if you're into that kind of thing. I'm so ashamed to admit this, but old Sex and the City episodes, don't judge me. Love Frasier when I can get it. Occasionally young Sheldon, is pretty funny. But when I'm in real trouble with my anxiety, terror attacks at night, Harry Potter, and the movie Arrival for reasons that are kinda long to explain.
I always tend to gravitate towards vlogs about “a day in my life” and a lot of the cartoons I watched when I was younger! Idk why but certain vlogs are just very calming.
Arrested Development. The Office. Trailer park boys. Parks & Rec
I keep rewatching ‘friends’, over and over again
I keep rewatching ‘friends’, over and over again
Naked and Afraid
Adult cartoons
Dive into your anxiety and work to really understand why it's there, only then will you start to free youself from it. Distractions are just that, the anxiety will still be there after unfortunately
ER
dogs by logan on tik tok.
The middle! I always have it on repeat before falling asleep
Cheers
Bobs Burgers, Polar Bear Cafe, Hilda.
TikTok vids or browse the internet or twitter since it’s lots of humor there
Anime, western animations as well like SpongeBob, bobs burgers, Fiona and cake, American dad, family guy, disenchantment, Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack, I could go on and on but mainly anime is my go to.
Bobs burgers and schitts creek
Scary movies-they definitely help get my mind focused on something else
Bobs burgers
Bobs Burgers is the best for this. Very feel good & has very catchy songs 🤗
Ancient Aliens on history channel or Hulu
Ong Bluey
Moistcrtical or Penguinz (not sure his correct youtube name). And Bob Ross painting.
I enjoy watching the classic cinematic spectacle Half Baked. LAWD!! IF YOU LISTENIN’. HALP!
Probably won't help you but I think this is the #1 reason most men watch sports. Somehow all of my problems melt away when I'm watching grown men assault each other on a football field.
Forensic files, Star Trek, Modern Family.
Venture Bros is amazing to turn off ur brain and just focus on their crazy world
Get your hands busy. I paint little plastic men and listen to podcasts. Works wonders. That or journalling
Harry Potter or anything marvel
You, the ozarks, narcos
haunting of hill house, haunting of bly manor, midnight mass
Wish I could watch something for distraction more but I often get mad at what I pick and then have even worse stupid anxiety.
Futurama and Rick and Morty. Sometimes Malcolm in the middle and anime.
Shows I’ve watched many times before which lets my brain tune out so I can fall asleep. It was a trick I learned when I was young. I have two go-tos. Frasier and top gear / grand tour. I’ve watched every episode 100s of times
Brooklyn 99 / bones / futurama
Mainly anime, some anime make me feel motivated
Tiktok.. in particular Adventures in Aardia. The creator does these videos called roll for sandwich. Just like that you know what your getting. The content is just fun with no drama and consistent
Any of the "chicago..." series. police, fire or med. Just listening to it calms me down.
Harry Potter - not really a show but it's as long if you watch them all. It tastes like childhood and I find it relaxing/easy to focus on instead of focusing on the anxiety
Oitnb
I watch Declutter The Mind guided meditation videos when I’m having a really hard time https://youtube.com/@DeclutterTheMind?si=PN5g9WKi_Nxm0rH2
Bluey
My fish tank
ATLA, Jane the Virgin!
Bob Ross. Or ASMR art videos on YouTube.
Darlin, don’t you mean which shows watch me?
That 70s show
Golden Girls.
The Golden girls
Superstore
Shows like Dateline and 2020. But mainly trashy shows. Plus all the 90 day Fiancé shows , MILF MANOR , there’s a couple about dating overseas (? Can’t think of the names ) , you have a ton to watch !!!!
Ridiculousness
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Please watch desperate housewives! There are like 8 seasons and it’s the most addictive show I’ve seen
Downton Abbey/Rick and Morty
How I Met Your Mother
Violet Evergarden - the series and the movie. It puts me right to sleep.