Since 1992, World Mental Health Day has been commemorated on October 10 every year. It is an initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), and is currently celebrated in more than 100 countries.
The event takes place as a social and institutional commitment to raise awareness of mental health problems, encourage open conversations, and give rise to concrete actions to improve emotional wellbeing. For more than three decades, this sobering day has reminded us that mental health is a universal human right that should be accessible to all people, no matter who we are, no matter where we are.
The World Health Organization states that almost 1 in 8 people worldwide suffers from some kind of mental disorder. Let’s think about this for a moment and try to digest it: during the current year, approximately 1 billion people could be facing mental health problems. Fortunately, there are now a wide variety of resources and support systems available to help.
Whether it’s to learn how to take better care of our own mental health, support a loved one or combat the stigma associated with these diagnoses, World Mental Health Day is a great opportunity to get involved, no matter how big or small our actions are.
So, in honor of World Mental Health Day, let’s explore the scientific reasons why watching movies is good for our emotional wellbeing.
What no one told us about the movies
With more entertainment options than ever before, we still continue to go to the movies. We are so interested in movie culture that online searches for “Oscar Nominations” have nearly doubled in the last ten years, according to Google Trends data.
However, we don’t often realize that the Seventh Art is more than just a form of entertainment. Whether in front of the big screen, or curled up on the couch, watching movies offers a whole series of positive effects on both our physical and mental state.
Regular movie-going has been shown to influence stress relief, emotional catharsis, social connection, cognitive stimulation and many other issues. So next time you’re in doubt about how to celebrate World Mental Health Day, consider the following psychological benefits of watching a good movie!
Movies give us a mental break
When we watch a feature film, our mind takes a break from everything it has been working on, even if only for a few hours. In a way, the brain disconnects, takes a break and regains energy.
The fact is that when we enter a movie theater or turn on the television we can immediately transport ourselves to another era, another country or even another galaxy, and good movies make us laugh, cry, scream, and remain fascinated throughout the screening.
This temporary respite can be invaluable for people suffering from burnout, stress, anxiety or depression. By losing ourselves in a different world, our minds focus on the plot and worries disappear for a while.
Whatever the genre, films provide a form of escape or mental distraction that can be a healthy and adaptive coping tool when used consciously and appropriately.
Movies allow catharsis
The ancient philosopher Aristotle once observed that audiences of Greek tragedies seemed to undergo a beneficial process of emotional, spiritual and mental purging (or catharsis) through the empathy they came to experience with the characters. So far, there is evidence that film and television work in a similar way, offering us the possibility of releasing a range of repressed feelings, which in turn can bring about a sense of transformation and even inner healing.
As the Greek philosopher described, when we witness struggles, achievements, losses or moments of profound change in fiction, we can see our own lives reflected in those narratives. This is a powerful reflection that not only provides us with an avenue of identification, but also grants us the opportunity to confront our own experiences in a safe, fictional context.
For example, when stories allow characters to deal authentically with their grief, viewers have a space to recognize and connect with our own sadness.
It can be said, then, that movies offer a fictional setting in which we can connect with our emotions and explore them without risk. To some extent, we release repressed fears, sorrows or frustrations, and as a result, we can return to our lives with a sense of lightness and even a renewed perspective.
Comedy movies improve our mood
It is often said that “laughter is the best medicine,” and there is scientific evidence to support this claim. People who laugh more often may even live longer than those who do not have a good sense of humor! In general, laughter causes blood vessels to dilate and thus helps lower blood pressure, decrease stress hormones, boost the immune system and reduce anxiety.
Since laughter is a natural and ideal way to relieve stress and anxiety, people who enjoy and laugh at comedy movies are more likely to experience better mood; moreover, through a humorous lens, movies often help us see the lighter, more optimistic side of life, and appreciate the absurdities of the world around us.
The comedy genre is also valuable in a cognitive sense. Understanding humor requires a certain level of intellectual activity, including the ability to recognize sarcasm, irony and subtlety. Such mental engagement can be rewarding and elicit a sense of mental acuity.
Certainly, if we are looking for ways to improve mental health, a comedy is a good place to start.
Scary movies can calm anxiety
Believe it or not, horror movies can be beneficial to our mental health, even if they scare us or make us feel tense. Although studies are still limited in this area, several analyses suggest that consuming horror in controlled doses can be helpful in relieving anxiety and improving mental wellbeing.
It’s no secret that horror movies are not very relaxing. From zombies to the afterlife, we know that these types of feature films are designed to provoke emotions like fear, tension and shock. Humans have a strange fascination with fictional horror.
Overall, research findings reveal that horror films allow us to safely explore some of our greatest fears and, at the same time, gain meaningful catharsis at the end of the story; unlike reality, horror feature films are a way to practice the sensation of fear in a safe environment, disconnect the brain from the anxieties of real life, and enjoy the emotional release that comes at the end of the film.
While horror and suspense stories awaken a certain “transient stress” in us, that “terror” response is followed by a “rest and digest” response. What this means is that, in the third act, and after the resolution of the plot – which implies the personal growth of the protagonist or the resolution of their inner conflicts – as spectators we tend to process the states of anxiety together with the closure of the hero’s fictional journey.
The appeal of the matter is that after the terrifying final confrontation, the organism is flooded with chemicals that make us feel good and generate a sense of accomplishment and mastery.
Movies foster social connections
In many ways, movies enhance social connectivity.
Researchers have concluded that watching movies with our loved ones not only provides an exciting source of entertainment, but also fosters emotional bonding, active interaction, and socialization. Movies can be an excellent social bonding experience in a variety of situations: whether it’s a clan of friends getting together, lovers embarking on a first date, or as part of a family tradition.
Another important fact is that when we watch a movie we like, we feel connected to other people who share our interests (whether they are acquaintances or not). This, in turn, tends to create a sense of belonging and a social bond, which is of great importance to our mental wellbeing.
A word of caution
While film can be a great tool for improving mental health, under no circumstances is it a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Anyone with mental health problems should seek help from qualified health professionals.
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