I have a show I watch when I want to feel good. My show is called Chuck, a series that ran about 10 years ago. It’s about a nerdy guy, Chuck, who teams up with a hot spy, Sara. The characters’ chemistry makes the show for me. I’m a sucker for the good guys and girls winning and following in love. When I’m finished watching I’m in a better mood.
My wife watches Ellen DeGeneres on her show Ellen daily. It raises my wife’s dopamine levels a little each day. Ellen makes people laugh, she uplifts the downtrodden on the world, and models how to be a nice person every show. She makes others want to be good people, too. Plus, she put my wife in a good mood, not an easy task. I admit watching Ellen Ellen DeGeneres walk out on stage puts a smile on my face, too, but not as much as watching Chuck.
What could be easier then to flip on the television and find something that picks you up? I know it depends on what lifts your spirits, but watching a show can raise your dopamine levels. Dopamine is associated with feeling good, and low levels of dopamine make people less motivated to do things, according to John Salamone, professor of psychology and longtime researcher of the brain chemical dopamine.
It could be a scene that triggers a memory, a word or comment that makes you laugh. Whatever it is, take time to treat yourself to a show or two.
Not sure what to watch? According to the following three polls these are the top “feel good” television shows that the audience says makes them feel good.
The first is Opray Winfrey’s list of “happy” shows.
- The Great British Baking Show
- The Golden Girls
- Queer Eye
- This Is Us
- Fresh Off the Boat
- Friends
- Black-ish
- Fuller House
- Jane the Virgin
- Grace and Frankie
- The Mindy Project
- Chewing Gum
- Gilmore Girls
- 30 Rock
- Cheers
- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
- Parks and Recreation
- The Andy Griffith Show
- Younger
- The Brady Bunch
- Superstore
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
- Living Single
- The Conners
- Insecure
- New Girl
- The Office
- Modern Family
- Arrested Development
- The Big Bang Theory
- The Middle
- Broad City
- Lip Synch Battle
- Anne with an E
Next, Rotten Tomatoes put together their own list of 10 binge-worthy, happy shows to improve your mood.
- Superstore
- Bob’s Burgers
- Schitt’s Creek
- The Good Place
- Queer Eye
- Glow
- Outlander
- Black-ish
- Jane the Virgin
Finally, Entertainment put together their own list of “feel good” shows that will brighten your mood.
- Fuller House
- Younger
- Jane the Virgin
- When calls the Heart
- Rupaul’s Drag Race
- The Good Place
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
- Black-ish
- The Late Late Show with James Corden
- Fresh Off the Boat
- Queer Eye
- The Great British Bake Off
- Grace and Frankie
- Glow
- Modern Family
- Saturday Night Live
- Lip Sync Battle
- Bob’s Burgers
- Superstore
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
A few shows are in all three lists, which puts them at the top of my list to try out.
If you don’t see your show, don’t feel bad. Mine didn’t make it either, but I’ll keep watching it.
There is one caveat, though, watching too much of a “good thing” maybe not be a good thing. Binge watching shows has a downside. It can isolate you from people and actually cause you to feel depressed after the marathon show watching.
So, watch responsibly.
Peace, joy, love
Joy & Happiness 