Best Shows To Watch When You’re Feeling Anxious

Key Takeaways

• 20% of US citizens suffer from anxiety.
• TV shows like Bob’s Burgers offer escapism and distraction from anxiety.
• Impractical Jokers and comedy stimulate the brain, reducing anxiety.

Anxiety among US adults has been increasing in recent years. In fact, every one of us will experience it at some point in our lives. Data shows that almost 20% of US citizens struggle with anxiety, with women experiencing it at a higher percentage.

The media in general has the opportunity to make anxious people a little bit less stressed by offering a smooth escape to some of the most anxiety-ridden moments. Some TV shows to consider when anxiety strikes are Friends, the animated adult series Bob’s Burgers, and the American reality TV show Impractical Jokers.

8 The Joy Of Painting With Bob Ross

30 Minutes Therapy-Like Session

• Genre: Documentary, Lifestyle
• Release date: January 11, 1983
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

In the 1980s, the talented Bob Ross starred in the show The Joy of Painting. The name of the show says it all. Bob patiently goes through each painting while giving knowledgeable tips on which brush and color to use and how to use them. Each episode is around thirty minutes, and viewers can see a beautiful piece by the end.

This TV show isn’t only for painters; many viewers admit that they watch an episode every day just to be able to relax for a bit. Bob Ross even inspired some people to start a new hobby because he makes it look so easy and relaxing. It’s a perfect show to watch when feeling anxious.

7 Bob’s Burgers

An Animated Series Centered Around Bob’s Family And Their Struggles

• Genre: Adult Animation
• Release date: January 9, 2011
• Streaming: Disney +, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video

Bob’s Burgers is a must-watch when anxiety kicks in. In this adult animation sitcom, viewers can follow the life of Bob’s family, who share their struggles and achievements with the viewers. This family has a burger restaurant and the episodes are fun, distracting, and authentic.

The show is easy to follow, and the characters are entertaining. It will for sure distract anyone who is going through a hard time. It’s a pleasant escape with humor and a strong focus on family, giving a feel-good vibe.

6 Friends

A Beloved Sitcom Revolving Around Six Friends In New York

• Genre: Sitcom, Comedy
• Release date: September 22, 1994
• Streaming: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video

No words are needed for the American sitcom Friends. The first episode came out in the 1990s, and since then it’s been one of the most rewatchable TV shows globally. The plot presents six friends living in New York—Joey, Phoebe, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, and Ross. And all of them have a relatable personality that makes it fun to watch.

These friends portray what friendships are supposed to be. They support each other through the ups and downs of life, making it a reassuring, fun, and very comforting TV show to watch when feeling anxious.

5 The Office

A Sitcom With A Characteristic Awkward Humor

• Genre: Sitcom, Comedy
• Release date: March 24, 2005
• Streaming: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video

The Office (US) has divided critics. Some people give up on the first episode because it can be hard to get the awkward vibe of the show. However, for those who get through the first episodes, it gets increasingly funnier over time. The plot centers around the day-to-day life of corporate people who work at Dunder Mifflin, a paper company in Pennsylvania.

Each episode shows the relatable life of an office worker, including fun and weird interactions, not-so-good leadership, and some pranks between coworkers. Regardless of the chaos, the team grows together and creates long-term relationships. It’s a nice show that will distract any busyhead.

4 Modern Family

Three Families Raising Their Kids In A Modern Way

• Genre: Sitcom, Cringe comedy
• Release date: September 23, 2009
• Streaming: Disney +

Modern Family centers around three families. Jay and his young wife Gloria (played by Sofía Vergara) who have two sons. Claire and Phil, who are struggling to raise their three kids, and then Mitchell and Cameron, who adopt a daughter named Lily. These families couldn’t be more different, but they all share one thing in common—they live a life full of laughs and struggles and try to parent their kids the best they can.

Modern Family has a relatable and realistic cast, making it a comforting show to watch. The show has a mix of humor with wholehearted moments. The portrait of ups and downs, struggles, and joy gives viewers a sense of normalcy, so it’s a great option to watch when anxious.

3 Bridgerton

A Regency Romance With Stunning Visuals And Costumes

• Genre: Regency romance
• Release date: December 25, 2020
• Streaming: Netflix

Bridgerton is a romance centering around a variety of families, specifically the wealthy Bridgerton family, where the goal is to find love and marry. However, many scandals and gossip come in between, which are reported by a secret gossip writer—Lady Whistledown.

Many viewers said Bridgerton is a great show to get distracted for a bit. It doesn’t cause any anxiety; it’s really pleasant and easy to follow with a mix of humor and drama. In addition, the show is set in Regency-era London, where viewers can appreciate the elegant costumes and high-society conversations and behaviors.

2 South Park

Four Animated Kids Exploring Real-Life Problems With Humor

• Genre: Adult Animation, Black comedy
• Release date: August 13, 1997
• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

South Park is an adult animation created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The show revolves around four elementary school friends—Kyle, Stan, Kenny, and Eric Cartman—living in South Park. Every episode is different, and it covers many (sometimes realistic) events, like politics, pop culture, religion, and technology.

The show is famous for its dark humor, creative writing, and smart puns. It’s a great TV show to follow because it uses humor as an escape from real-world problems.

1 Impractical Jokers

Four Lifelong Friends Bringing Laughs To Everyone

• Genre: Reality, Hidden camera
• Release date: December 15, 2011
• Streaming: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube

Impractical Jokers is a reality TV show that uses a hidden camera to prank people on the street. The show stars comedians and friends Joe, Q, Sal, and Murr, who are the ones embarrassing themselves in order to bring smiles to everyone who watches. And they do that just perfectly.

The show purely focuses on laughs, which are proven to stimulate the brain, get rid of any tension, and increase the overall mood, making it a great option to put on whenever feeling anxious.