7 Best Calming TV Shows For People With Anxiety

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Television can be used for both good and evil depending on what shows and movies you watch. These calming TV shows are the best for taking your day and making it a little bit better. Certain shows are better for sitting down and binging, while others are great for background entertainment. The shows on this list are to keep on when you are having a bad day.

Don’t be afraid to dive into a new calming TV show! I am obsessed with calming TV shows because I often get too affected by issues that characters experience and I have anxiety. If you relate to this… then these shows are the perfect form of entertainment for you!

This Post Is All About Calming TV Shows

1. Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso is a feel-good show on Apple TV+ about an American football coach who is hired to coach football (soccer) in the UK. Jason Sudeikis stars as the leading character (Ted Lasso) who inspires others and brings a cheerful spirit everywhere he goes.

This is the perfect show when you need something comforting and easy to watch. By the end of the show, there are very few characters that you dislike and there are some amazing character arcs.

If you haven’t watched Ted Lasso, then you are missing out! This series is a staple in many houses across America because the characters are so lovable and the story sucks you in. There isn’t a single episode I would skip (even though I rewatch it every few months.) AND a new season is coming out soon! So this is a great time to hop on the train!

2. Abbott Elementary

If you are looking for a new show that feels like The Office or Parks and Recreation, then Abbott Elementary is the show for you! The show follows the lives of teachers at a public elementary school. It highlights the challenges that teachers face with underfunding, lack of support from the school district, and the wide variety of personalities that come together to make a school.

This has been my favorite show for the past six months because it gives me such nostalgic vibes. Now that I am a teacher it gives me a whole new appreciation for the show and I feel so blessed to be working at the school I work at.

3. Avatar: The Last Airbender

If you know me, then you know my love for this show. I remember walking downstairs one Saturday morning and seeing my dad and my brother watching Avatar and asking if there was a new Clone Wars. My dad laughed and explained it’s a new TV show, but it is not a Star Wars show. I sat down and just tried to watch along. After a few minutes… I WAS HOOKED!!

Avatar is such an easy show to watch for every age. Do not be put off by this show because it was made for kids! This show is inclusive for all ages and backgrounds. If you have kids, then you can feel free to watch this on the TV and you won’t have to stop it when they come in.

Please give this show a try, because I promise you’ll love it!

4. Gilmore Girls

Gilmore Girls is all about a mom and her daughter and their relationship. I am sure you have heard of Gilmore Girls before, but if you haven’t ever put it on… you are missing out! Even at my therapist’s office, they have Gilmore Girls playing because it is such a comfort show.

The show might have some dysfunctional relationships, but it is comforting and cozy. During the fall, the show is my go-to background show. It is the perfect show for cozy vibes in the house.

5. New Girl

Now, you probably already watch New Girl… BUT! If you don’t… YOU SHOULD. The gimmick of the show is a preschool teacher and her boyfriend break up, so she is looking for a new place to stay. She ends up living with a group of three guys who help her through life while she brings a new personality to the group that they never knew they needed.

The dynamic of a girl moving in with three dudes is hilarious. There is a little bit of romance, a really fun group of friends, and a lot of comedy. If you love shows like Friends or books with close friend groups, then you will love New Girl. There is something about seeing friends interact with each other that makes you feel like you are also a part of the group.

New Girl is now on Hulu, previously it was on Netflix, so you can bundle Disney+, Hulu, and MAX for $16.99 a month. That is a great deal if you don’t watch just tons of TV. Here is a link to the bundle (not an affiliate link, I just love this deal) if you are looking to sign up.

6. The Great British Baking Show

The Great British Baking Show is THE SHOW for anxiety. When you need a calming TV show, this is where you should start. There is little to no stress in this show (unless you are highly empathetic, then choosing a scripted TV show might be better) and it is all about yummy baked goods.

You will love the calming accents of the British people in the show. You will also learn about new baked goods that you never even knew existed. I have learned so many good baking tips from this show just by having it on in the background.

If you have been skeptical of The Great British Baking Show… this is the time to at least watch one episode all the way through. You will become attached to certain characters and storylines and you will never want to stop watching.

7. Ghosts

If you are looking for something brand new then turn to Amazon Prime to watch Ghosts. It is a fun new show that includes… you guessed it… GHOSTS! So exciting! But it isn’t scary in any way. The ghosts are all friends and are all from different time periods.

Basically, the gimmick of the show is a couple inherits a old house and they are working on it to turn it into a bed and breakfast. As the wife is working on the house, she falls down the stairs and experiences a near death experience. After waking back up, she was able to see and talk to all of the ghosts that live in the house. Her husband can’t see any of the ghosts, and neither can anyone else. So the stories that ensue are quite entertaining.

This Post Was All About Calming TV Shows

If you aren’t into the calming TV show life, then you are missing out. TV shouldn’t always be stressful and teaching you about life. Sometimes it can be calming and entertaining at the same time.

Now, I will say be careful not to fall into the habit of watching TV instead of being productive or to avoid life’s problems. Use these sparingly or when you are going through a rough spot in life. You will be sad when all of these are over!