Once again, we find ourselves in days of high security tension, a reality that most Israelis already know well. A war with Iran, ongoing fighting with Hezbollah in the north, and a prolonged war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip create a situation in which many have been living for long months with a constant sense of threat. The sirens, the news reports, the harsh images, and the concern for soldiers and families on the home front create a very heavy emotional burden.
Within this reality, an interesting phenomenon is taking place: The urge to watch screens increases. Well, we already know that, but at the same time, it seems that the television world is also responding accordingly. As it turns out, a variety of reality shows are returning to the screen and attracting millions of viewers. Big Brother started a new season last week, The Amazing Race is at the beginning of its journey, and several more will arrive soon. The obvious question is why, especially in such difficult times, we find ourselves drawn into light entertainment programs.
The temptation to watch and escape into momentary relief is natural and understandable. In times of emergency, our evolutionary survival system works overtime. The body is on alert, the nervous system maintains high vigilance, and the brain constantly searches for signs of danger. This is an important survival state, but also a very exhausting one.
An important mechanism for emotional regulation
In routine times, many people can relax at the end of the day without the need for strong stimulation that captures attention. However, when the crisis continues over time, vigilance turns into chronic stress. The emotional load accumulates, the sense of lack of control intensifies, and many feel mentally and physically exhausted. In such a state, it is not surprising that many people collapse onto the couch at the end of the day and look for something to distract them.
In a reality of war after war, choosing to watch a reality show is not necessarily evidence of disconnection from reality. In fact, it can serve as an important mechanism for emotional regulation. Reality shows offer the dramas of others, human stories that evoke identification, empathy, and sometimes also criticism or aversion, but do not directly threaten our emotional stability.
There is also another dimension to this. In a world where reality itself seems chaotic and unpredictable, the format of reality shows offers a clear order. There are known rules, there are eliminations, there are tasks, and there is a winner at the end. Even if it is an artificial order, the very knowledge that the game is conducted according to rules gives the mind a certain sense of stability within an unstable reality.
Controlled distraction
Beyond that, watching allows a kind of healthy temporary repression. It is a break in which one can set anxiety aside and connect to more everyday emotions, such as tension around a task, identification with a favorite participant, or even a light argument about who should win. Such emotions, which usually seem marginal, are almost unavailable when we are immersed in an emergency situation.
The advantage of this mechanism is also supported by psychological research. The classic studies of psychologist Susan Nolen-Hoeksema from the 1990s showed that rumination, that is, an incessant dwelling on negative thoughts about stressful events, may worsen anxiety and depression. In contrast, controlled distraction can interrupt the cycle of intrusive thoughts and allow the mental system to recover.
However, it is important to distinguish between healthy rest and avoidance. Distraction becomes problematic when it is no longer a break but an escape that prevents emotional processing of reality. When screen viewing replaces social connections, harms functioning at work or at home, or becomes a constant means of repressing difficult emotions, it may actually worsen distress in the long term.
Therefore, it is important to remember that it is natural for the brain to seek light content when it operates in a prolonged survival state. But beneficial distraction should be a bridge back to reality and not a substitute for it.
To maintain mental resilience during such a complex period, it is recommended to combine viewing with additional actions that support emotional regulation. Going outdoors, physical activity, balanced nutrition, and close social connections can greatly help reduce emotional load.
Ultimately, even watching a reality show can be part of our healthy coping mechanism. When it is integrated in the right balance with other strengthening activities, it can provide a moment to breathe within a complex reality and remind us that even within the chaos there is still room for a break.
The author is a medical psychologist, Assuta Hospital Haifa