GUEST EDITORIAL: Perfecting the Art of the Binge
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Perfecting the Art of the Binge
by Kevin Gardner
With the advent of online streaming services, a new kind of television experience became popular: the binge watch. More and more shows aren't just enjoyable to binge watch; they're built that way. Like the book you can't put down, there are some shows that you just know will have you saying "one more episode, just one more episode" until the wee hours of the morning. So whether the new season of your favorite streaming show just dropped or you're planning to marathon your favorite movie franchise, here are a few ways you can make sure that your next binge watch is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Comfortable Space
You also want to make sure that your space is as comfortable as possible. Cleanliness is not a necessity, but it is a good idea. If you get all your chores done first and your space is neat and tidy, then nothing can distract you from the completely immersive experience. More important is to make sure that you have a comfortable cozy place to sit with the right amount of light and not too much glare. Cushions, comfy blankets, curtains and blinds can all help you achieve this goal. As far as set-up goes, see more on the The Ultimate Home Theater Room Design Guide from Porch.com.
Set Time
Moderation is key. Moderation might not seem like something that has any place in a binge watch, but that all depends on your level of moderation. A debate and a MMA fight both have moderation, just different levels. The point is to set a time for yourself. You don't want the binge to go on so long that you make yourself sick and stop having fun, after all. You might set a certain number of episodes, or a certain number of hours. Either way, it's going to be a very high number, but the point is to have some limits and some moderation.
Snacks
Another key ingredient is snacks. It's tempting to just have a huge bowl of popcorn and a giant soda at your side through the whole thing, or to have food delivered straight to your door so you don't have to stop, but also consider the merits of occasional pauses to get a snack, a drink, stretch your legs and use the bathroom. You can make it a real party with appropriately themed drinks and snacks.
Personal Comfort
Once you've decided on what to watch, which can be a time-consuming activity all on its own, you should also ensure your personal comfort. This is where you make full use of the leisure side of your athleisure wear. You're not going out, no one is going to see you, so put on your nerdiest and most well-worn tee shirt, even if it does have holes in it. You can spare your eyes with some blue light filtering computer glasses too, if you're in it for the very long haul.
Friends and Socialization
Along with snacks, you can also invite friends to join you. Now, for some people, binge watching is a sin to be indulged in private, but watch parties are just as fun, if a little more difficult to set up. If you're more of a private person or you're maintaining social distance for whatever reason, you can have private binge watches together from a distance over a group watching service, or coordinate a time and live blog the experience in the group chat. Even if you are binging purely on your own, you can share some observations, reactions and funny thoughts with your friends, family and followers over your favorite social media platform. For certain artists and personalities, liveblogs can be a great way to connect with followers and attract new followers.
Binge watching is a great pastime for a lazy weekend or a long snow day. It's fun to do with friends or on your own, and plenty of shows and movies are more enjoyable when you watch them binge style. So pull up some couch, order in some comfort food and prepare to waste a whole weekend with your new obsession.
