Watching *This* On TV May Actually Boost Your Well-Being, Study Finds

Watching television has traditionally been considered an activity that undermines wellness.

Many people even associate it with laziness and view T.V. as a "guilty pleasure" that should be minimized for the sake of optimizing your health—but is that always the case?

What these studies found:

They found that watching sports triggered feel-good emotions like happiness and pleasure (which sports fans will probably know isn't entirely surprising). 

What this means for real life:

While it's intriguing to learn about the well-being benefits of watching sports, it's crucial not to use this research as a reason to be glued to screens 24/7 or neglect other important aspects of life, such as spending time outdoors and exercising.

Additionally, there's value in turning sports-watching into a communal activity.

We know that having a strong sense of community can support mental health and even extend your life2—so whether you get that from watching sports, going on group walks, or scheduling regular hangouts with those you love, community-building is a worthwhile health endeavor.

If you want to make sports your point of focus, there's now some early science to back it—as if you needed a reason to do something you love. 

You might assume watching T.V. is an anti-wellness activity, but that's actually not the case when it comes to watching sports.

Not only can watching the game trigger reward and pleasure centers in your brain, but it also offers a chance to connect with those around you.