Cartoons & Nostalgia

Sometimes you just have to reconnect with your inner child...

We all have (and need) "lazy days"...

Something that everyone can relate to is deciding to take a day for themselves and just do nothing (okay not "nothing" because technically you're always doing something). In this day and age, we have all subjected ourselves to binge-watching to forget about our troubles for a few hours.

High on... Netflix?

Have you ever thought about the reasons why binge-watching feels so good? Reading this, you're probably like, "uh yeah because it's enjoyable duh." Stupid question, I know I know. But there's also a scientific explanation for that.

In my very first psychology course, we learned about the neurotransmitter dopamine which is simply a chemical that supplies feelings of pleasure, happiness, and excitement to the brain. I found this interesting because one thing that makes having depression difficult is the inability to find pleasure in new things as well as the things you used to enjoy. This reminded me of something...

Cartoons and Nostalgia

A few years ago, someone told me that they watch cartoons whenever they're sad or just need a pick-me-up. So, I decided to try this out for myself and they were right! Not only did it help me feel better, but it took me back to being a kid again. A kid whose only worry was learning times tables and passing weekly spelling tests. A kid that was mostly oblivious to the harshness of the world and adult issues. I miss that.

I remember one of my aunts telling my mom that I was mature for my age at 14. That's because that ignorantly blissful kid had to grow up faster. Now, watching cartoons like Kim Possible, That's So Raven, and The Proud Family is like a warm blanket. In those moments, I don't have to be the stressed, depressed, anxious young adult worrying about my GPA and the state of the world. In those moments, that dopamine makes me feel like a kid again. I miss it.

Writing this, I realize that I don't watch cartoons as much as I should. That's only because I've found "grown-up shows" that give me comfort (which include series that some people would definitely not consider comforting). Although it doesn't give me that same child-like feeling, it's another type of warm blanket that provides me with solace.