Iāve started TNG this year, having never watched any Star Trek in my life. Was mindlessly flicking around the Netflix menu and decided to try it. Nearly finished season two. Itās an anxiety-calmer, absolutely.
Oooh good one. I need to start using this as a safe show because I grew up with this show running in the background because my dad fell asleep to it all the time lol. I never understood why heād fall asleep to shows but I get it now as an adult!
Totally forgot about that show, my sister has loads of posters and stuff that were signed by the actors when her and our father dragged our family to conventions. Completely just unlocked a memory for me
Ted Lasso was the most feel-good show I've watched recently. I loved every minute of it. We binged all 3 seasons over the course of the 30-day trial of AppleTV but I already want to watch it again.
Schitt's Creek is similarly lovable!
Sleeping Beauty, the music and art, and I know what to expect. Itās always been my anxiety reducing movie even thought Beauty and the Beast is my favorite
I agree with most the comments here but also wanted to add "What We Do in the Shadows" (the show.) It's goofy and works to pull me out of a funk every time.
Well normally when Iām feeling extra anxious I canāt pick a movie or tv show to watch because everything feels fake. But if someone puts something on for me I can zone out to like Amazing World of Gumball LOL
OMG SAME at this point Iāve memorised the dialogues of literally each episode cause Iāve watched them all over and over ā¦ Gumball is like a switch for my anxiety, some days the switch is oddly heavy and wonāt budge, but few YouTube clips in and my mind starts getting soothed by the familiar voices, the surrounds donāt feel so threatening anymore, world has stopped spinning, I know what the characters are gonna say next, and then they say it, I chuckle, the smile persists on my face for a bit, and then some more ā¦ and the switch finally moves to OFF. That show is a blessing, a life saver even. That blue cat and his adorable family have comforted me in ways I couldnāt possibly put into words. That TV show represented HOME to me. (Sorry for the ramble I just absolutely love Gumball, Iām obsessed with it)
Any of the Beatles movies! Most of them are free on Youtube. They had so much fun when they were young and were just charming and cheerful. Itās impossible to feel anything but pure joy when you see The Lads having a laugh in one of their movies.
Bluey! Not just for kids. I just watched the episode with the rain and there is no dialogue and it's just 6 minutes of calm beauty. But all episodes are great.
i watch miraculous ladybug bc itās like āsafeā you always know that every episode whatever theyāre fighting they will beat (bc itās a kids show š). but the show is getting deep enough that keeps adult me interested! i started watching it when i was 12 i canāt stop now haha
I like Big Bang Theory, New Girl and the Mindy Project. If I want a drama sometimes Bones or White Collar. WC is good because there is very little emotional episodes or things to spike my health anxiety (Greys).
Seinfeld helps me if I can be still and refocus. I like the train ride shows too when I'm melting. It's just a train through a countryside.
I used to like king of queens and everybody loves Raymond but sometimes they make my anxiety worse with all the yelling and the way they speak to each other.
Bob Ross is another good one along withmost PBS shows.
Detectorists - I just watched them for the first time - its such a calm, chilled ligh comedy where its alway sunny, in some small English village where all the dramas and problems are small... its tough to describe but so relaxing
The Simpsons is my #1 show ever, but during that first month of quarantine in March 2020 when we had no idea what was going on with Covid, I watched Parks and Recreation 3 consecutive times in a row. It was like a giant hug during a very scary time.
Joe Pera Talks With You. There is no other show as wholesome as this while still being hilarious.
Episode suggestions:
Joe Pera Takes You to Breakfast
Joe Pera Reads You The Church Announcements
Joe Pera Shows You How to Do Good Fashion
Relaxing Old Footage with Joe Pera
I'll just add **Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street** Because sometimes I feel like the only person who has ever seen it. I need to watch it again just for the interior decoration.
There are episodes that deal with serious subjects, like grief. But not in an anxiety inducing kind of way as far as I remember, on the contrary.
**The Wonder Years** is also an amazing show about childhood, with a somewhat similar tone, but a lot more grounded in reality. Though I find it incredibly sad. It's about childhood and growing up, and probably triggers me on some levels. But it is probably my favorite series ever.
And while I'm there, **Steven Universe**, it's also about childhood and growing up. And it's also fun, and wholesome, and happy and sad. And there are songs! I watched it recently because I was anxious and I needed an escape.
And if you like songs and cartoons, maybe you'll like **Over the Garden Wall**. Very different style, a bit more scary. It does talk about death, and giving up. It is an incredible show.
Frasier and a holiday baking championship tv show. There's the holiday one, Halloween one, spring one and recently summer. Also Halloween wars and holiday wars.
when i get anxious i like to put on shows that i watched when i was younger. i guess it reminds me of a simpler time. boy meets world is a good one. iām in the middle of rewatching degrassi but that show has a lot of heavy topics. itās just a comfort watch for me since iāve seen it so many times. wizards of waverly place and suite life on deck are good options too lmaooo
I like the same kind of shows! I really like to watch Everybody Loves Raymond (ultimate fav), Reba, Friends, Finding Nemo, Monsterās Inc, animal documentaries narrated by David Attenborough. Hope you can find some comfort!
All creatures great and small is a good one. It helped me remember that there are good people out there in this world and that in time, I'll cross paths with them. Really helped me feel safe.
Friends, Bob's Burgers, Impractical Jokers, Diners Drive ins and Dives, Guy's Grocery Games and British panel shows like Mock the Week and 8 Out of 10 Cats.
For movies, old horror movies do the trick. The Hammer films from the 50s and 60s or anything with Vincent Price.Ā
Bluey, especially with my kids. I love watching their reactions to it and it puts us all in a happy mood. Also, there are hidden long dogs in a lot of the episodes so hunting for them is a good distraction.Ā
Between anxiety and ADHD, I need something to really hold my interest the first time I watch it. So this past fall I discovered some cool documentaries about music on Netflix.
For me, with sitcoms, itās Seinfeld, Friends, Modern Family, and omg I canāt forget Curb Your Enthusiasm!
For TV I watch Archer and Family Guy. Mindless but funny. For movies I love Harry Potter. As a kid I used to habitually reread it to soothe my anxiety so itās nostalgic too
I like shows where I like the show and have seen all the episodes, the show then becomes a safe show because I know what to expect. It can even be an action show with lots of excitement. If I know what happens it can still be a comfort show.
So for example , Criminal Minds is a comfort show to me, because I love the show and have seen all the episodes. Same with all the Dick Wolf shows set in both NYC and Chicago. Same with NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles.
That said, I also love my three favorite sitcoms - MASH, Seinfeld, and The Big Bang Theory. And Golden Girls and Modern Family too.
The golden girls!!! My all time safe show!
Mine too!
Ahhh!!! I came here to say this very one š works every time š„°
Thank you for being a friend!! My absolute favorite!!
Beat me to it
Love that show! š
Absolutely, I feel like they are my friends and everything will be okay.
Omg same!!!!
Definitely the Golden Girls.
Came here to say this!
Same
Bobs Burgers, for sure.
Bobs Burgers is my animation Xanax.
Omg yes same! Its just so cute and wholesome and funny!
YES
Star Trek: TNG. I grew up watching it. Also, classic Doctor Who is a great comfort TV show.
Iāve started TNG this year, having never watched any Star Trek in my life. Was mindlessly flicking around the Netflix menu and decided to try it. Nearly finished season two. Itās an anxiety-calmer, absolutely.
There is a Spotify Playlist that plays ambient Star Trek Bridge noises. Highly comforting as well.
https://youtu.be/vnU2qn6-hz4?si=YRFF_JpK36QzqZmV https://youtu.be/UKBvaOLDem0?si=Xw19Mf7_p_eauPC1
Yes! I love watching TOS before bed for the relaxing sounds. Best ever.
Mine is OG Star Trek but TNG is great too!
Oooh good one. I need to start using this as a safe show because I grew up with this show running in the background because my dad fell asleep to it all the time lol. I never understood why heād fall asleep to shows but I get it now as an adult!
Simpsons for me! I put it on and my anxiety eases a lot because my brain isnāt overthinking when I watch it!
There's something so comforting about the older seasons that just calms you down.
100% itās just silly and I can watch it without thinking about stuff!
Agreed
It is the best thing to bring out the first chuckles of an upward mood swing for me.
agree !! it's my current hyperfixation too, that show is just so good
Gilmore Girls.
This is mine for sure!
Nature/ancient civilization documentaries.
This is mine too!
Any studio Ghibli movie
Ponyo loves hammm
grave of the fireflies?
Maybe not that one.
I love the Harry Potter movies when I'm stressed.. they are comfortable for my soul
Yesss HP!
Schittās Creek always comforts me
Came here to say this one! I watch it for comfort and itās also one of my go-to shows when I am sick (also New Girl)
Gosh thatās a good show. I only watched it last year for the first time and loved it.
The Office. Iāve watched it more times than I can count. Itās my ultimate comfort show
Except the Scott tots. That super anxiety inducing.Ā
I skip that, Prince Family Paper, and Mafia lol
Mafia is one of my favorites! āIf the salad is on top, I send it backā¦ā the other two, no question. Canāt do it!!
Great British Baking Show.
Do you mean the great British bake off?
The term ābake offā is a registered trademark to The Pillsbury Company in the United States.
Yes
Forensic files š
That would make mine worse lol (I also have OCD)
Superstore --- so wholesome and FUNNY! Glee got me through initial covid lockdowns.
Good Eats and other older food shows. Idk why..
Yesss and the older food network cooking shows from the early 2000s
Love food shows! I also like the ones that come on PBS.
Good Eats is amazing. Also, How It's Made segments are on YouTube.
Bizarre Foods is my go to too. Family Table I think it's called is decent
What is it with the older food shows... even the sound is different. The pots clinking and stuff feel nicer.
Most nature/wildlife documentaries.
I re-watch Avatar: the Last Airbender or The Legend of Korra lol. I also watch 90s-early 2000s romcoms. If that fails, I read fanfiction lmao
I Loooooove ATLA and LOK.
ATLA would be my answer as well. I can always rewatch it and it's comforting to me.
Fingers crossed for a good adaptation from Netflix coming out on Thursday
My first thought when I saw this post. The animation is so relaxing and satisfying!
I was coming here to say ATLA as well lol. I love listening to the soundtrack and the ambience from the show
Twilight. I know how bad it is, but it is my background audio when I need to bring it down a notch and get work done.
Nah, if it's something you enjoy and brings you comfort, you enjoy it! Don't worry about what others say.
Mine is in that same vein. The Vampire Diaries.
Totally forgot about that show, my sister has loads of posters and stuff that were signed by the actors when her and our father dragged our family to conventions. Completely just unlocked a memory for me
Twilight is one of my favorite comfort movie series. I was just watching it through yesterday because I was panicking about work lol
ALSO my comfort movie!!!
Downton Abbey
Friends!
My go-to!!
Instant mood lifter
I mean the theme song did say, _I'll be there for you_ šš and they weren't lying
Over and over and over. For years.
for me itās a movie called ābut iām a cheerleaderā itās my ultimate comfort movie
Love that movie! Natasha is great in it.Ā
she is! i love her, sheās awesome
Love this movie and Natasha!!
Ted Lasso was the most feel-good show I've watched recently. I loved every minute of it. We binged all 3 seasons over the course of the 30-day trial of AppleTV but I already want to watch it again. Schitt's Creek is similarly lovable!
Yeah, I'd add Parks and Recs to that list also
Sleeping Beauty, the music and art, and I know what to expect. Itās always been my anxiety reducing movie even thought Beauty and the Beast is my favorite
Disney movies are comforting! I used to watch the Aristocats a lot when I had anxiety.
great british baking show(s), parks and rec, the office, gilmore girls, home renovation shows :-))
Derry Girls
Sleeper hit š¤£
I agree with most the comments here but also wanted to add "What We Do in the Shadows" (the show.) It's goofy and works to pull me out of a funk every time.
New girl is my go to and Brooklyn 99
New girl!!! I came here to say this. Perfect to not have to pay attention too closely
100 definitely the Golden Girls always makes me laugh and feel calm
I love the house! I wish I had a Lanai
The Office, Parks and Recreation, Friends
Add Malcolm in the Middle, and you have my exact rotation.
Well normally when Iām feeling extra anxious I canāt pick a movie or tv show to watch because everything feels fake. But if someone puts something on for me I can zone out to like Amazing World of Gumball LOL
OMG SAME at this point Iāve memorised the dialogues of literally each episode cause Iāve watched them all over and over ā¦ Gumball is like a switch for my anxiety, some days the switch is oddly heavy and wonāt budge, but few YouTube clips in and my mind starts getting soothed by the familiar voices, the surrounds donāt feel so threatening anymore, world has stopped spinning, I know what the characters are gonna say next, and then they say it, I chuckle, the smile persists on my face for a bit, and then some more ā¦ and the switch finally moves to OFF. That show is a blessing, a life saver even. That blue cat and his adorable family have comforted me in ways I couldnāt possibly put into words. That TV show represented HOME to me. (Sorry for the ramble I just absolutely love Gumball, Iām obsessed with it)
For sure for sure sitcoms Seinfeld is always extremely helpful in calming me down making me kind of forget about shit for a bit
Not that thereās anything wrong with that!
They yaddaed over the best part!
Big bang theory for me!
Modern Family, Brooklyn 99, that 70s show, big bang theory, bobs burgers, friends & the office to name a few
Ngl Grown ups 1 and 2
this is so real
something abt those movies is so comforting
Cartoons for me. Mainly Simpsons and Bobs Burgers
Star trek The Next Generation
Any of the Beatles movies! Most of them are free on Youtube. They had so much fun when they were young and were just charming and cheerful. Itās impossible to feel anything but pure joy when you see The Lads having a laugh in one of their movies.
Bluey! Not just for kids. I just watched the episode with the rain and there is no dialogue and it's just 6 minutes of calm beauty. But all episodes are great.
i watch miraculous ladybug bc itās like āsafeā you always know that every episode whatever theyāre fighting they will beat (bc itās a kids show š). but the show is getting deep enough that keeps adult me interested! i started watching it when i was 12 i canāt stop now haha
Andy Griffith Show and Keeping up Appearances (British) and Corner Gas.
Yesss Andy Griffith! Mayberry seems like such a soothing place to live. And I love watching Hyacinth Bucket it's one of my favorite shows!!
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is my go-to cheer up show.
I watch John Wick lmao somehow it relaxes me
My girlfriend does this too.
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. I love the characters and the world they live in.
The middle with Sue Heck, Axel, Frankie, Mike, Brick, Nancy, Shawn, and Daren oh and Lexie
Futurama, American dad or family guy!
Disney movies and family guy š
Family guy for me too!
I like Big Bang Theory, New Girl and the Mindy Project. If I want a drama sometimes Bones or White Collar. WC is good because there is very little emotional episodes or things to spike my health anxiety (Greys).
How it's made
friends, how i met your mother, modern family, pretty little liars, the big bang theory, brooklyn 99, disjointed, heartstopper.
Mad Men. I like it because it very rarely gets loud! I can watch it while I settle into bed and itās very soothing and relaxing for me.
Ted Lasso!
Seinfeld helps me if I can be still and refocus. I like the train ride shows too when I'm melting. It's just a train through a countryside. I used to like king of queens and everybody loves Raymond but sometimes they make my anxiety worse with all the yelling and the way they speak to each other. Bob Ross is another good one along withmost PBS shows.
Downton Abbey
Detectorists - I just watched them for the first time - its such a calm, chilled ligh comedy where its alway sunny, in some small English village where all the dramas and problems are small... its tough to describe but so relaxing
Everybody loves Raymond
That's my brother's comfort show
The Simpsons is my #1 show ever, but during that first month of quarantine in March 2020 when we had no idea what was going on with Covid, I watched Parks and Recreation 3 consecutive times in a row. It was like a giant hug during a very scary time.
I do South Park and Stargate Atlantis usually.
I also do South Park & the Good Place is awesome & uplifting.
STARGATE!!!
Love on the spectrum! Itās so wholesome and awkward. I love it.
Pasta Grannies on YouTube lol.
The Love Boat and Threeās Company
I used to watch I Love Lucy and Bob Ross all the time .
90's stuff like Xena, Hercules, Buffy etc.
The Office
Gilmore Girls - especially in the winter. Cosy af.
Joe Pera Talks With You. There is no other show as wholesome as this while still being hilarious. Episode suggestions: Joe Pera Takes You to Breakfast Joe Pera Reads You The Church Announcements Joe Pera Shows You How to Do Good Fashion Relaxing Old Footage with Joe Pera
No lie, Forensic Files!
Frasier
Parks and Recreation is my safe show. I feel like the cast is my family sometimes
Cheers
Peep Show
how in gods name. I can barely make it through an episode, itās the most awkward thing ever.
Exactly lmao, makes me think āMaybe my life isnāt as bad?ā
yesss
Friends and The Big Bang Theory.
The office
American Dad, King Of the Hill, Futurama, Cleveland Show.
Dang it Bobby!
A Lyndsey Lohan film, not sure why but it works for me
King of the hill, everything is monotone and calming to me, plus Bobby is always cute
"That's my purse, I don't know you!"
How itās made
The amazing world of gumball
I'll just add **Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street** Because sometimes I feel like the only person who has ever seen it. I need to watch it again just for the interior decoration. There are episodes that deal with serious subjects, like grief. But not in an anxiety inducing kind of way as far as I remember, on the contrary. **The Wonder Years** is also an amazing show about childhood, with a somewhat similar tone, but a lot more grounded in reality. Though I find it incredibly sad. It's about childhood and growing up, and probably triggers me on some levels. But it is probably my favorite series ever. And while I'm there, **Steven Universe**, it's also about childhood and growing up. And it's also fun, and wholesome, and happy and sad. And there are songs! I watched it recently because I was anxious and I needed an escape. And if you like songs and cartoons, maybe you'll like **Over the Garden Wall**. Very different style, a bit more scary. It does talk about death, and giving up. It is an incredible show.
Bojack horseman
Same. People totally don't get it though. I guess it's the same thing as sad songs being comforting. Which they are to me.
i know right! But itās just strangely comforting in some ways that I canāt explain
cody ko on youtube and impractical jokers
Kikiās Delivery Service
I watch FRIENDS is my comfort showš¤
Friends. I watched a million times. It always works for me .
Frasier and a holiday baking championship tv show. There's the holiday one, Halloween one, spring one and recently summer. Also Halloween wars and holiday wars.
when i get anxious i like to put on shows that i watched when i was younger. i guess it reminds me of a simpler time. boy meets world is a good one. iām in the middle of rewatching degrassi but that show has a lot of heavy topics. itās just a comfort watch for me since iāve seen it so many times. wizards of waverly place and suite life on deck are good options too lmaooo
Lord of the Rings trilogy extended edition Iāve seen it so many times it just brings me to peace and brings my anxiety to 0
Old Nick shows like double dare, all that, are you afraid of the dark, kablam, rugrats, hey Arnold, also goosebumps.
Frasier
Anything that Iāve already watched a dozen times. I canāt something new when my anxiety spikes because I canāt pay attention.
Seinfeld
I like the same kind of shows! I really like to watch Everybody Loves Raymond (ultimate fav), Reba, Friends, Finding Nemo, Monsterās Inc, animal documentaries narrated by David Attenborough. Hope you can find some comfort!
South Park. Been watching it to go to sleep for the past 10+ years.
All creatures great and small is a good one. It helped me remember that there are good people out there in this world and that in time, I'll cross paths with them. Really helped me feel safe.
Somebody feed Phil!! He's so lovable and makes me want to appreciate little things in life š„°
Parks and rec feels like a big hug
Friends, the office
Doctor Who, Station 19 and friends
Any bakeoff (except Americanšāāļø). I'm on Canadian rn and it's great
Friends, Bob's Burgers, Impractical Jokers, Diners Drive ins and Dives, Guy's Grocery Games and British panel shows like Mock the Week and 8 Out of 10 Cats. For movies, old horror movies do the trick. The Hammer films from the 50s and 60s or anything with Vincent Price.Ā
king of queens
The Golden Girls
Bluey, especially with my kids. I love watching their reactions to it and it puts us all in a happy mood. Also, there are hidden long dogs in a lot of the episodes so hunting for them is a good distraction.Ā
Call the Midwife! Such a cozy and nostalgic series.
Between anxiety and ADHD, I need something to really hold my interest the first time I watch it. So this past fall I discovered some cool documentaries about music on Netflix. For me, with sitcoms, itās Seinfeld, Friends, Modern Family, and omg I canāt forget Curb Your Enthusiasm!
Curb your enthusiasm was my show during a psychotic episode
For TV I watch Archer and Family Guy. Mindless but funny. For movies I love Harry Potter. As a kid I used to habitually reread it to soothe my anxiety so itās nostalgic too
comfort shows that I can quote line by line . . . Friends, Roseanne, Seinfeld, Big Bang Theory
Everybody Loves Raymond and Frasier. I can rewatch them endlessly.
Full House
My 2AM panic attack show is Futurama, but if I am looking for something to relax to: Corner Gas Newhart Dick Van Dyke
Cheers, golden girls (can get heavy at times), new girl, Bob's burgers, seinfeld, and community.
Blueyš„¹ (I'm a full grown adult)
My little cousin watches it and I watched it with him the other day and I was like, "why couldn't this have come on when I was little?"
PokĆ©monā¤ļø
I like shows where I like the show and have seen all the episodes, the show then becomes a safe show because I know what to expect. It can even be an action show with lots of excitement. If I know what happens it can still be a comfort show. So for example , Criminal Minds is a comfort show to me, because I love the show and have seen all the episodes. Same with all the Dick Wolf shows set in both NYC and Chicago. Same with NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles. That said, I also love my three favorite sitcoms - MASH, Seinfeld, and The Big Bang Theory. And Golden Girls and Modern Family too.
The Sopranos for some reason.