Find out why watching a film can be as good for your mental health as reading a book!

The Mental Health Benefits of Actively Watching Films

I’m a big fan of movies. I love the way they can transport me to another world, make me laugh, cry, and think. But I’m also a big fan of reading. I love the way books can transport me to another world, make me laugh, cry, and think. So, which is better for my mental health: watching movies or reading books?

As it turns out, both activities can be beneficial for mental health. But there’s a catch: you have to be actively engaged in the activity. If you’re just passively watching a movie or reading a book, you’re not getting the full benefits.

What is Active Engagement?

Active engagement means paying attention to the movie or book and thinking about what you’re seeing and hearing. It means asking yourself questions, making predictions, and following the plot. It also means being aware of your own thoughts and feelings as you watch or read.

The Benefits of Active Engagement

There are many benefits to active engagement in movies and books. Here are a few:

• It reduces stress. When you’re actively engaged in a movie or book, you’re less likely to think about your own problems. This can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
• It improves cognitive function. Active engagement requires you to use your brain. This can help to improve your memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills.
• It enhances empathy. When you’re actively engaged in a movie or book, you’re more likely to understand and empathize with the characters. This can help you to become more compassionate and understanding of others.
• It promotes relaxation. When you’re actively engaged in a movie or book, you can get lost in the story and forget about your troubles. This can help you to relax and de-stress.
• It can help you learn new things. Movies and books can teach you about different cultures, historical events, and scientific concepts.

How to Actively Engage in Movies and Books

So, how can you make sure that you’re actively engaged in movies and books? Here are a few tips:

• Find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted.
• Turn off your phone and other distractions.
• Give yourself enough time to really focus on the movie or book.
• Ask yourself questions about the story.
• Make predictions about what will happen next.
• Follow the plot carefully.
• Be aware of your own thoughts and feelings as you watch or read.

The Difference Between Active and Passive Viewing

There’s a big difference between actively watching a movie and passively watching a movie. When you’re actively watching a movie, you’re paying attention to the plot, the characters, and the setting. You’re also thinking about what’s happening and why. When you’re passively watching a movie, you’re just taking in the images and sounds without really thinking about them.

The same is true for reading. When you’re actively reading a book, you’re following the story and making sense of the plot. You’re also thinking about the characters and their motivations. When you’re passively reading a book, you’re just scanning the words without really paying attention to what you’re reading.

So, which is better for your mental health: actively watching films or reading books?

The answer is: both! Both activities can be beneficial for mental health, as long as you’re actively engaged in them.

So, next time you’re looking for a way to relax and de-stress, pick up a book or watch a movie and really get into it. Your mental health will thank you for it (but don’t tell your children yet).

Here are some studies that support the benefits of active engagement in movies and books:

• A study published in the journal “Psychological Science” found that people who actively engaged in a movie experienced greater reductions in stress than those who passively watched the movie.
• A study published in the journal “NeuroImage” found that active engagement in a book increased activity in the brain’s reward system, which is associated with pleasure and motivation.
• A study published in the journal “Pediatrics” found that children who actively engaged in books had better cognitive skills than those who passively listened to books.