Christmas started early this year. When my daughter asked to start the season early, it couldn’t have come at a better time. Why not start Christmas and extend the season, a nice respite during Covid? With the spirit of Christmas in the air, the tree was decorated, stockings hung, and my Christmas movie watching has begun.
Every year I look forward to Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas movie season. Now companies like Netflix, have their own romantic holiday movies. My TV addiction worsens during the holidays. I lose sleep and am unable to function well the next day. I miss out on life. One vacation was spent hooked in front of the TV watching the Hallmark channel. You see, I choose not to have cable, to curb the cravings of movie binging. It was pretty effective until streaming services started creating their own feel-good Christmas movies.
So why are Hallmark Christmas movies so addictive?
Caroline Siede is a film and TV critic says the Hallmark formula is part of the draw, combining what a lot of people love about romantic comedies with Christmas. She goes on to say,
“Perhaps the single biggest thing that makes Hallmark Christmas movies so addictive is the rare glimmers of quality that do shine through. There are just enough halfway decent Hallmark Christmas movies that you’re tempted to keep watching the 24/7 broadcast just in hopes of stumbling upon a good one. And when you do, it’s better than Christmas morning! – Caroline Siede, Film and TV critic
It’s a great escape from the real world. Everything is beautiful with feel-good endings that increase your dopamine. Chemicals are released producing a drug-like high and your body craves more.
Here are some tips to curb an addiction to holiday romantic movies:
- Acknowledge that you are using this as an escape and it’s short term relief. It’s a coping mechanism for anxiety.
- Limit exposure, enlist the help of a family member. For instance, I give the remote to my daughter when she goes to bed on weekdays.
- Remember that the time you waste watching these movies takes away from making your own memories.
- Make a list of memories and things you want to do this Christmas season and stick to the list. Our list includes at least a dozen items.
- Making good lifestyle choices (food, sleep, stress management, exercise) can help curb that addiction. You’ll feel good, to begin with, and the need to “escape” will lessen.
Wishing you a wonderful addiction-free holiday season!