Watching TV counts as self-care, according to a new survey from Roku’s Howdy streaming service, in partnership with The Harris Poll.
73% of Americans say watching TV is an important part of their weekly self-care routine. That’s more than exercise at 59%, scrolling on phones at 56%, and hobbies at 53%.
What are people watching when they’re in need of a self-care day? More than half of those surveyed said they want to watch their go to comfort show, compared to 31% who opt for a movie. Everyone has their own favorite shows to watch during their downtime, but the most popular genres are comedy, true crime, fantasy and sci-fi, procedurals, and medical dramas.
It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen it, sometimes you just need to see familiar characters and storylines you’ve memorized. Seventy percent of viewers agree that rewatching movies and shows they’ve already seen is the best experience when they want to relax.
“In general, when people are looking to unwind, they want something familiar that they know is going to make them feel a certain way,” said Holme. “TV viewing is no different. People are more likely to find this relaxation by rewatching the show or movie they’re confident they can connect to on an emotional level.”
But maybe it’s age thing. Millennials are twice as likely as likely as Boomers to report watching their favorite show over 15 times.
“Watching TV isn’t just downtime—it’s wellness,” said Lisa Holme, Head of Content at Roku. “Viewers happily return to shows and characters they know and trust from their youth.”
Couch rotting is out and bed binging is in. In fact, bed binging beats couch rotting for 53% of TV watchers, and 73% of Gen Z viewers prefer watching in bed. You know what? It’s the holidays, do whatever feels right.
This survey comes from Howdy, Roku’s new streaming service that makes it easy to access great stories that help viewers relax—critically acclaimed films and beloved, rewatchable favorites—without interruptions. The service costs $2.99 per month and includes fan favorite titles like Happy Gilmore, Fast & Furious, Kill Bill, Sex and the City: The Movie, and Scary Movie.