These Comfort Shows Are Sure To Boost Your Serotonin Levels
Even though we associate May with the return of constant sunshine, and getting a head start on “hot girl summer,” in reality, this is a stressful time for a lot of us. Maybe you, reading this, are on the brink of graduating and starting to look for your first “adult” job. You could be a transfer student looking for connections, a young mom taking care of your family, or just someone with a million extracurriculars to keep up with. (And these are just a few of the more practical life responsibilities, outside of maintaining relationships with family and friends.) But before you start fantasizing about dropping everything and living in the forest (...again), remember that you’re not alone. Life is hard. It’s understandable if you want to sit back, take a breath, and find comfort in doing nothing. If this sounds like you, no worries, the Parachute Club is here to help you make the most of your necessary timeout. Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, we asked our members to share their go-to shows and movies, for when they could use a little extra comfort.
* Some responses have been edited for grammar and clarity.
Tuse / Portland, OR / 22
I've had these three shows on repeat for the last maybe four years. Every time I finish one I either start the other or I restart that same show.
1)“The Office” I like it because it makes me laugh, cringe and cry all at once. I always start off hating the main characters and by season 8 I never want to stop knowing them. It's comforting because I always know how I'll feel at the end.
2) “New Girl” I looove this show because of Schmidt and Winston. Schmidt is my spirit self and Winston makes me believe in glowing up again.
3) “The Mindy Project” I rewatch this everytime I'm in the mood for a romcom that never ends. It reminds me that love isn't linear.
Where to watch The Office: Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play
Where to watch New Girl: Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play
Where to watch The Mindy Project: Hulu, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, Apple TV, Vudu
Katelin (they/them) / Portland, OR / 21
My comfort show is “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and my comfort movies are Miyazaki films, particularly “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service.” I think what I like most about these is that they remind me of childhood, they’re especially comforting to me because of the artistic style used and the whimsical nature of the worlds they are set in. I love the characters because despite the fantastical elements they are very down to earth and relatable in their fears, dreams, desires and needs, and they consistently remind me that interpersonal relationships are the most important thing in this world, the world is big and scary sometimes but there is beauty in mundanity, and that every single person has the ability to do great things because we all have our own gifts and talents, and where we may be weak others are strong and vice versa. I cycle between all Miyazaki films at least once a year and I tend to rewatch ATLA whenever I am really anxious and depressed in order to let my mind zone out and still feel comforted. :)
Where to watch Avatar: The Last Airbender: Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, iTunes, Apple TV
Where to watch Howl’s Moving Castle: HBO Max, YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, Vudu, Amazon Prime
Where to watch Kiki’s Delivery Service: HBO Max, YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, Vudu, Amazon Prime
Aarna (she/her) / Portland, OR / 17
My comfort show is also “New Girl,” because it's the right mix of cute romance, supporting friendships and quirky personalities. I love every single character and their relationships. When I watch the show, it's like I'm with my own friends (the friends being the characters) and I feel loved and comforted. I've watched “New Girl” about four times through now, and if I have nothing else to watch or if I've been having a really bad mental health day, I always go back to watch “New Girl.”
Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play
Alyssa Tandoc (she/her) / Southern California / 23
Similarly to Aarna, my comfort show is “New Girl.” I have probably watched that show four times from high school through college. The storyline seems very natural and details the struggles of those in adulthood rather than those in college. It shows people in their early 30s that you don't have to have life figured out. I liked the characters because of their friendships and humor. Each personality brought something new to the table and since they lived in Los Angeles the shows' overall location was relatable (since I'm from Cali). Whenever I'm bored or need a little serotonin boost I watch a random episode. During the pandemic I watched it all the way through once more and was amazed at how many puns I missed or how much each character reminded me of someone in my own life.
Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play
Jourdan Ashleigh Cerillo (she/her) / 21
Every show/movie I end up finishing becomes a comfort piece. As a cinema studies student watching things over is a must but I tend to stray away from watching action and horror too much. With that being said, one of my all-time fave comfort shows is “How I Met Your Mother.” I remember watching the first episode live and being hooked from there. There’s so many great life lessons and moments on the show. I find comfort in knowing the end and now I watch my favorite episodes out of order because I watch the show once a year in full. Uncertainty makes me anxious but I know this show so well I can “watch it” without watching it, so it’s background noise for me when I’m working.
Where to watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV
Tomisin / Boston, MA / 21
My comfort show was “The Office.” I loved it because I didn’t have to pay too much attention, the episodes were quick, and it also made me laugh a LOT. I think getting to know and follow the characters was nice. It felt like a family.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play
Ramona
Some shows/movies I watch over and over again are:
1) “Friends”
2) “Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane na”
3) “Schitt's creek”
Sometimes you tend to notice more evil than good and my whole reason behind watching these shows is that it shows you there is goodness in the world. It allows you to build connections with other people who feel the same about it too.
“Friends” was my go to show for study breaks. I remember being in my university in India and during exam time, most of my friends in the dorm would watch Friends as a way to take study breaks and relax. You can never go wrong. “Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na” is a romcom and it has a special place in my heart. Their title song became a song for me and my best friend, and it just takes me back to India, my home country, that I often miss. It also reminds me of a time of innocence (all the things I used to believe about love). “Schitt's Creek” is a legendary show! I really enjoy watching it. Again it addresses a lot of important issues and so beautifully.
Where to watch Friends: HBO Max, Hulu, YouTube TV, YouTube, Google Play
Where to watch Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na: Netflix
Where to watch Schitt’s Creek: Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV, YouTube
Corie / Washington, DC / 22
I watch “Gilmore Girls.” It’s my favorite TV show. I have watched it in its entirety almost three times since the onset of the pandemic. I like the characters and the story line. It’s witty, it’s funny, and it feels like a fresh cup of coffee.
There’s nothing too dramatic or alarming about the show. Everything from the music, to the fashion, to the colors are very soothing. It also has an episode for any life event. The more I grow up the more I find to relate to in the show. More than anything it doesn’t make me feel alone.
I watch when I need to lower my heart rate or when I need my mind to be distracted. It’s easy to spiral when I’m stressed and anxious and “Gilmore Girls” keeps me from that most of the time.
Where to watch: Netflix, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, Apple TV
Written by Samira Farah
