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Films to relieve anxiety please

97 replies

EqualFranknessWithYourLadyship · 21/01/2023 21:43

Hi there,
over Christmas I got ill with flu/sinusitis and also “took stock” of some of the stuff that’s happened to me this year. I’ve ended up having a surge in anxiety including insomnia.

I’m taking care of myself. As part of that I’m being careful what I watch on tv - anything with too much tension is too much. Even watching “The Great” and “He’s Just not that into you” are too much.

films that have worked so far
“the Three Amigos”
Zoolander
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Sleepless in Seattle
How to lose a guy in 10 days.

so very silly/bonkers comedies and very gentle “innocent” Romcoms with sexiness a plus!

\in terms of tv shows it’s “Superstore” and Big Bang Theory”. All very gentle.

I’d be grateful for more recommendations whilst things settle.

OP posts:
tappitytaptap · 21/01/2023 22:28

OP I was the same when I was off work with anxiety last year, and even now if I feel anxious I want exactly the same as you! Big bang theory also a go to for me, friends re-runs, grace and Frankie on Netflix. It does ease, honestly. And you are doing the right thing in being kind to yourself.

desperadodogface · 21/01/2023 22:29

Pleasantville

FortyFacedFuckers · 21/01/2023 22:29

Not what you asked but when my anxiety is bad I enjoy watching series/films I have already watched, I just recently rewatched desperate housewives

Choccyoclocky · 21/01/2023 22:32

Tv..
The Good Place
Brooklyn 99
Working Mom's

Films.. My go to are..
Shrek
The Holiday
Legally Blonde
A Cinderella Story
Step Brothers
School of Rock

Haveagentlechristmas · 21/01/2023 22:37

Placemarking.
I quite like below deck. There is a bit of drama in it but overall an uplifting watch.

Tuppy2 · 21/01/2023 22:38

Little Miss Sunshine and Death at a Funeral (Uk version). Really very funny and anxiety relieving.

merrymelodies · 21/01/2023 22:40

80s films are good for chilling: Working Girl, Beverly Hills Cop, Flashdance, Parenthood, Father of the Bride...

JoonT · 21/01/2023 22:42

Good idea OP. I am very careful what I watch and read now. I avoid the news, and am pretty close to giving up my TV. I also ration my time online.

Have you tried audiobooks? I had a bad spell of anxiety a while back, and somebody recommended going for long walks or laying in a hot bath while listening to them. (I find podcasts too stimulating when I’m anxious.) I absolutely love them. In fact, they have changed my life - no exaggeration.

Like you I suffer badly with anxiety. For audiobooks, I would recommend P G Wodehouse (read by Stephen Fry), Sherlock Holmes (also read by Stephen Fry), Evelyn Waugh, Dickens and Douglas Adams. I’d also recommend listening to children’s books, especially the Narnia books, and anything by Roald Dahl.

As for films and TV. If you are anxious/low, try:

Jeeves and Wooster (Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie)

Darling Buds of May (the original, with David Jason)

Actually, I find old BBC comedies help me. Most of them are pretty rubbish tbh, but they are calmer, gentler and more restful than the modern stuff. Porridge, Dad’s Army, Steptoe and Son, Dear John, Hancock’s Half Hour, etc, really soothe my nerves. They also take me back to being a kid curled up on the sofa with my grandparents.

MeinKraft · 21/01/2023 22:42

Ghosts
Downton Abbey a new era. There's barely even any mild peril in it.

Coxspurplepippin · 21/01/2023 22:46

Big bang theory
Ghosts
Detectorists
Most Jane Austen adaptations
Crossing Delaney
Moonstruck
The Goodbye Girl
Baby Boom
Once Around
The Mirror has Two Faces

Simplelobsterhat · 21/01/2023 22:47

Things that I really liked during the stressful early lockdown days:
TV - bbc Ghosts (makes DD and I really happy but does have some sad moments, re runs of comedies I've seen before eg derry girls, friends, it crowd, Friday night dinner, Gavin and Stacey. Also rewatching 90s Pride and Prejudice.
Podcast - John finnemores souvenier programme - proper gentle sketch comedy, apart from season 9 which is more of a family saga but still lovely listening.
Films - Sense and sensibility, the wedding singer. Also hot Fuzz (not really what you're asking for but for me had the comfort of being able to quote all the funny lines along with it)

Generally familiarity helps I think, so whatever you've really enjoyed before, rewatch!

Books - Jane Austen. I find rereading ToKill a mockingbird comforting, but it deals with pretty serious issues so again I guess that's more of a familiarity thing. Marian Keyes are good to get lost in but again can deal with serious things at times.

Coxspurplepippin · 21/01/2023 22:47

Crossing Delancey, not Delaney.

Coxspurplepippin · 21/01/2023 22:48

Simplelobsterhat, oh yes, Mr Finnemore - Cabin Pressure is my happy place.

trythisforsize · 21/01/2023 22:48

Another vote for Ghosts
Derek
Friday Night Dinner
Being John Malkovich
Sort your life Out

Littlepaws18 · 21/01/2023 22:50

Detectorists- best thing in tv!
Due South- can get in you tube.

hamsterchump · 21/01/2023 22:52

For comfort TV I like old classic British stuff so Jonathan Creek, One Foot in the Grave, Porridge, As Time Goes By, Birds of a Feather, The Good Life, Only Fools and Horses, Catherine Cookson adaptations that kind of thing always makes me feel better.

SnoozyLucy7 · 21/01/2023 22:53

Any Studio Ghibli films, that is, if you like animation. Beautiful soothing scenes, gorgeous music. I find them very calming.

mrsdolittle · 21/01/2023 22:54

Another vote for "Bank of Dave" film on Netflix. Just watched it and is a proper feel good film.

Ghosts on tv delights me and never fails to lift my mood. In a completely different vein Repair Shop is just lush.

HowDoYouOwnDisorder · 21/01/2023 22:55

Be careful with little miss sunshine

it is one if my favourite movies, but deals with themes like suicide attempts and also someone has full blown realistic (imo) anxiety attack that is hard to watch.

I love it, but it’s not totally lighthearted

MeinKraft · 21/01/2023 22:59

Death in Paradise is strangely comforting for a programme that features a murder in every episode.

Titsywoo · 21/01/2023 23:00

I like watching Gilmore Girls - it feels like such a calm show and a bit old fashioned. Nothing too dramatic or sad happens. It's just calm.

GruzViews · 21/01/2023 23:07

Film - Stepbrothers

Series - Schitt's Creek

MariahsBaubles · 21/01/2023 23:16

Series:
Life in Pieces
Schitts Creek

IdisagreeMrHochhauser · 21/01/2023 23:17

Wouldn't recommend second series of Ted Lasso. It's brilliant but it's darker than the first.

Bank of Dave on Netflix is a feel good film.

midsomermurderess · 21/01/2023 23:20

I was feeling horribly anxious around Christmas and I found the Full Monty just the thing to lift my mood and make me laugh.