The Low Down
Watching These TV Series Could Improve Your Life (According to Science)
Shows like Mad Men and The West Wing are not only critically acclaimed, they were both distinguished for having been awarded four Emmy awards consecutively. In a 2015 study by the American Psychological Association, researchers found that watching them could increase empathy. Increased empathy is known to improve leadership skills and interpersonal relationships. While only a few shows were used in the study, read on for a few other award winning shows that could also possibly improve your life!
The Sopranos
Award winning might be a gentle term considering this series was the recipient of 21 Emmys. The series follows Tony Soprano, played by James Gandolfini, managing his personal family and the famiglia, aka the Mafia. Typically, mafia shows don’t have the audience rooting for the bad guy, but The Sopranos distinguishes itself by creating an “anti-hero” unlike any other.
IMDB via HBO
The anti-hero is someone who is objectively a bad guy, but has been so humanized that audiences find themselves connecting with them. In most circumstances he would be the villain, but the audience comes to learn about and understand him and his motivations. According to the study, watching an award winning drama such as this may result in improved empathy overall, and not just for Tony. That improved empathy has the potential of actually improving your life.
Homeland
Homeland follows Carrie Mathison, a high ranking CIA officer played by Claire Danes. Mathison fights America’s enemies, fearlessly risking both her life and her sanity as the character also tries to overcome difficulties arising from her bipolar disorder. This unique narrative was apparently so realistic that it was described by Psychology Today as “a true portrayal of mental illness.”
IMDB via Showtime
Homeland has won a total of 4 Emmys, both for outstanding writing and acting. Being an award winning show with an honest portrayal of bipolar disorder, it’s likely that it could also improve emotional intelligence like the shows of the 2015 study. Meaning that while audiences are on the edge of their seats, they’re likely to walk away feeling more empathy to others in their own life.
Breaking Bad
Want to improve your life by manufacturing and selling some meth? Walter White did, and critics and audiences loved him for it. The series racked up an impressive 16 Emmy awards with the performances of the actors responsible for 10 of the 16 Emmys. But it was also the philosophical questions that Breaking Bad explored that garnered a fair amount of discussion.
IMDB/ AMC/ Lewis Jacobs
Breaking Bad asked incredibly thought provoking questions such as, how does a man become evil? Additional themes involved morality, free will, and life in modern society, and still the show managed to have numerous comedic moments. The drama, and the range of emotions displayed from the award-winning performances would likely have made Breaking Bad an excellent study candidate.
Game of Thrones
Having been broadcast to 173 countries and territories, Game of Thrones seems to have united the world. Qualities like unique and complex characters, massive world building, a factual historical basis, and complex political drama seemed to give something for everyone to enjoy.
IMDB via HBO
Game of Thrones has made history by winning the most Emmy awards ever at a whopping 38 wins which we could assume means it qualifies for the 2015 study. In addition, the show has created a uniting cultural force behind it as well. If, theoretically, global empathy has increased it would improve both your life, and the world at large. But that’s not the only show that has left a positive impact on the world.
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale takes a bleak look at a religion-fueled dictatorship which has taken control of the (former) United States and stripped women of all rights. The series focuses on June, played by Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss, as she struggles to live in this new world. But it’s not all completely despair and horror in this series.
IMDB via Hulu
A recent story in Teen Vogue discussed how many viewers reported that watching The Handmaid’s Tale actually helped them reduce their anxiety. The series has received consistently high ratings along with two Emmy awards, and two Golden Globe awards. Since watching award winning TV dramas has the potential of both increasing empathy and lowering anxiety, then choosing to watch The Handmaid’s Tale might improve your life in more ways than one.
Sources: IMDB, Psychology Today, APA PsycNET
The Low Down
UFOs And The U.S. Presidents: Alien Cover-Ups That Have Been Swept Under The Rug Of The Oval Office
Shady things have taken place in the White House for centuries, but the biggest unsolved mystery by far is the possible cover-up of extra-terrestrial life. Thousands of UFO sightings have taken place over the years, before quickly getting swept under the rug by certain U.S. presidents. However, now it’s time to put all the pieces together – from alien abductions, to experimental testing, to some shocking information that only recently saw the light of day.
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The Most Overrated Rock Bands Of All Time – Ranked By How Overrated They Are
These world-renowned classic rock bands have ridden the coattails of generic universal praise for far too long. With their passionate vocals and piercing guitars, they all found their unique voice in the music industry. But just because they found their voice doesn’t mean they’re actually as good as people say they are. We apologize in advance, because your favorite band might actually be overrated too.
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The Incredible Transformations Of These My 600 Pound Life Participants Will Leave You In Awe
Shows like My 600-LB Life strive to give viewers a look at the triumphs, setbacks, and small victories of these participants. Under the watchful eye of Dr. Nowzaradan, these patients have put in the hard work to reach their health goals. Check out our list of the most incredible transformations of My 600-LB Life.
