What psychologists recommend you watch during the coronavirus pandemic for mental health

• TV shows and films can offer an escape from the fear and anxiety that so many of us are feeling during the coronavirus pandemic.
• For some, that escape may come in the form of shows like "Tiger King" or films like "Contagious."
• However, psychotherapist Rachael Snyder and psychologist Faith M. Sproul, recommend something more light-hearted like "Friends" or "Paddington 2."
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

If you've binged "Tiger King" on Netflix during your time in social isolation, you're not alone. More than 34 million people have watched the seven-episode true-crime docuseries since it's release on March 20, making it one of Netflix's most popular and successful TV shows to date.

But why has a series with the extended title "Murder, Mayhem and Madness" become the show of choice during the coronavirus pandemic? Insider spoke with psychotherapist Rachael Snyder and psychologist Faith M. Sproul to learn more about how we spend our time during quarantine and what it means for our mental health.

Why do we watch so much TV?

"Personally and professionally, I think the reason we end up on the couch watching TV when we want to be productive is simply a coping mechanism," says Snyder, LLMSW, a clinical psychotherapist in Michigan. "Lounging in front of the TV is the easiest way to distract or entertain ourselves from hard feelings or things we don't want to do. It's also what many people use to recharge after a long day or a stressful event."

Plus, people want an escape, says Sproul, PhD, a licensed psychologist in Washington DC. "Before, people watched TV to escape the amount of time spent working. Now, we need an escape from the fear and anxiety this event may be causing.".

But if we want an escape from fear and anxiety, then why are so many turning to shows like "Tiger King" and "Outbreak"?

"Many of us will opt for apocalypse-type films 'Contagion' or 'Outbreak.' These aren't necessarily bad choices, as they offer an insight into worse-case scenarios with a definite ending compared to the uncertainty most people are experiencing now," says Sproul. "But they might create even more anxiety in some people. It's important to become more cognizant of how TV and films affect you so that you can tailor your choices accordingly."

Expert recommendations for what to watch

Comedy, upbeat picks, and family favorites are all good choices to cue up these days, says Sproul and Snyder.

"Right now, it's really important for people to keep their spirits up," says Sproul. "Because we are being inundated with extremely serious content, comedy and feel-good shows can provide the humor we need to offer us some balance in our daily lives."

Some of Sproul's recommendations include shows like "Parks and Recreation," "Friends," and "The Good Place" — or movies like "Paddington 2" or "La La Land."

"Research has shown that humor is cathartic and can give us an outlet for stress, fears, and anxiety," says Sproul. But knowing what works for you is important. That's why she says she can't speak for everyone's opinions and choices.

"Personally, I wouldn't want to watch any horror movies in a time like this, but it may be someone else's favorite genre. Family genre may be comforting to some and triggering to those that have lost their family," she says.

For her part, Synder also steers toward light genres like comedy and family adventure and says to, "use your own judgement to decide what makes you feel best. Just remember that what you feed your brain, you feed your mental health."

Watching TV for your mental health

If you're regretting all the time you've been spending streaming your favorite shows and movies lately, consider the following: There's an entire field of research on the use of film to improve mental health. It's called Cinema Therapy.

"Many therapists prescribe television or films to clients to help them gain insight or see how others deal with similar problems in life," Sproul says.

So, with the right choices, you may actually be doing your mental health some good during this pandemic. In fact, research has found that by watching how characters handle situations, viewers can learn by proxy for how to process intense emotions during confusing situations like the one we're in now.

"It can allow clients to process emotions such as laughing and crying through difficult times and conflicts in life. It also has been known to stimulate creativity and imagination," Sproul says.

How much TV is too much?

Americans are estimated to increase time spent in front of the TV by 60%, according to a Nielsen report, which measured TV viewership during past crises like in the wake of Hurricane Havey in Texas.

But how much TV should you watch and when is it time to turn it off? Snyder recommends two hours — or about the equivalent of two one-hour TV episodes or one full-length film.

"This is to limit the amount of binge watching that happens," Snyder says. "If you go into it with the idea that I can watch two episodes and then it's time to do something else, you're less likely to binge the whole season. It's like setting a goal for yourself."

Similarly, Sproul says that "in times like this, it's reasonable that people will watch more TV, but it's still a good idea to have some limit in mind and make time to engage in other activities like taking a walk or exercising at home."

She recommends capping it at two to three hours a day. "It is important to recognize that this is outside of overall 'screen time,' the amount of time spent in front of devices like phones and computers for work or school."

Snyder adds that "there is a difference between positive and negative screen time. FaceTime calls to family and your favorite movie are examples of positive because they build you up. Not moving from bed watching TV all day while scrolling Facebook and Instagram is considered unbalanced and unhealthy."

In Snyder's practice, she's seen a correlation between lots of screen time and an uptick in feelings of depression and anxiety. And that's what researchers have found, too. One 2017 study found that the likelihood of moderate or severe depression among US adults increased if they spent more than 6 hours a day in front of a screen.

Like anything else, what you choose matters. Snyder advises sticking to "non-screen" entertainment for the bulk of the day — whether it's listening to a podcast, reading, doing a puzzle, or listening to music.