The need to escape reality: Two and a half weeks of direct fighting with Iran, accompanied by nonstop missile attacks and the closure of airspace, have led the Israeli public to a state of chronic fatigue and extreme stress. In a situation where every phone alert triggers anxiety, reality shows provide a necessary escape, allowing the brain to swap the battlefield for a familiar and predictable television arena. The psychology behind choosing light content reveals that this is a fully fledged survival mechanism, intended to prevent mental collapse under the burden of security events and concern for casualties on the ground.
Israel is in the midst of a turbulent security period, and for 16 days, routine has been colored by war with Iran. The rush to bomb shelters has become an inseparable part of the daily schedule, airspace is closed, and reports of casualties and missile attacks flow nonstop. Within this complex reality, an interesting phenomenon can be observed on television screens: The demand for reality shows is rising dramatically. While the body is alert and constantly searching for danger signs, the mind seeks to set anxiety aside and dive into the world of other people dealing with problems light-years away from the military front. The temptation to watch and escape for temporary relief is very understandable, as in times of emergency, our evolutionary survival system works overtime.
Yael Efrati, a medical psychologist at Assuta Hospital in Haifa, explains that the body maintains high alertness, and this is an extremely exhausting process: "While under normal circumstances we can relax at the end of the day without strong stimuli capturing our attention, in a prolonged crisis like the one we are currently experiencing, alertness turns into chronic stress. The emotional load becomes unbearably heavy, and we simply collapse onto the couch searching for something that will quiet the white noise of war. In a reality of war after war, choosing to watch a reality show is not evidence of disconnection from what is happening outside, but can serve as a mechanism for emotional regulation. Reality shows offer the dramas of others that evoke empathy or disgust in us, but they do not threaten our emotional stability."
In a world that has lost control, where missiles can strike at any moment, the familiar format rules of reality shows provide a temporary sense of order, Efrati explains: "Regular eliminations, the announcement of the winner, and the predetermined ending create an island of certainty within the general chaos. This is a distraction that allows healthy repression, in which daily emotions that are simply unavailable in emergency situations can be experienced. The benefit of this mechanism is supported by longstanding academic research, including the classic 1991 study by psychologist Susan Nolan-Hoeksema. Her research showed that while constant rumination on negative past events worsens anxiety and depression, controlled distraction helps break the cycle of obsessive thoughts and allows the mind’s resources to recover from trauma."
In recent days, as sleep drifts away and stress peaks, the brain looks for the easiest way to reduce cortisol levels in the body. Watching reality TV requires very low cognitive effort, allowing the nervous system to rest from constant risk management. Unlike news broadcasts presenting threat graphs and missile strike maps, reality shows present an alternative reality where the biggest problem is who will cook dinner or who will win immunity. This simplicity is exactly what the mind needs to avoid breaking under the burden of harsh news. Although this content is sometimes considered shallow, its functional role during wartime is extremely significant for maintaining national resilience.
However, Efrati emphasizes that it is important to recognize the fine line between rest and avoidance. Distraction becomes problematic when it serves as an escape that delays necessary emotional processing or interferes with functioning at home and work. When TV watching replaces social and family connections, escapism may increase anxiety in the long term instead of reducing it. It is natural for the brain to seek light content to rest from survival mode, but we must treat this distraction as a bridge back to reality, not as a permanent substitute.
To maintain essential balance during this period, it is recommended to combine comforting viewing with other activities that promote resilience. Going outdoors when possible, physical exercise, maintaining good nutrition, and nurturing close human connections are critical for emotional regulation. Sleep deprivation due to nighttime alarms weakens both the immune and mental systems, so every moment of relaxation in front of the screen should be used wisely. Ultimately, the ability to laugh at the absurdities of a reality show participant while a war unfolds outside is proof of the vitality of the human spirit and our basic need for normalcy, even if it is artificial and projected on a flat screen.
Data show that entertainment ratings actually spike during days of combat, and not just because the public is home more. The need for a “brain reset” is physiological, and in many ways, an episode of reality TV can be as effective as breathing exercises for some people. Seeing characters on screen dealing with trivial matters reminds us that there is a world beyond the bomb shelter, a world where problems are small and solvable. This is an essential pressure valve that allows us to continue functioning, care for our families, and get through another day of security uncertainty. Within this, the quick shift between reports of missile attacks and commercials for reality shows may feel jarring, but for many, it is a mental lifeline that allows them to endure this war while staying mentally intact. We must accept this impulse without judgment and understand that escapism is sometimes the best way to survive a painful reality.