We all crave pleasure and binge-watching a good show is one area that provides our brain with just that. Science shows that binge-watching shows not only allow us the opportunity to relax but also provides our body with dopamine—the feel-good hormone. What a great duo for a tired mama to engage in every once in a while!
I am mostly a book worm, but there are times when I just want to veg out and not use my brain, and binge-watching a new show definitely takes care of this need for me! I may not feel as rested in the morning had I gone to bed instead of pressing play on the next episode, but generally, I am still “buzzing” from the twist in the plot that I quickly grew addicted to overnight, haha! According to my husband, I have a common theme of watching smut shows, and I won’t deny that a lot of the shows I binge are less than “wholesome” viewing. But I also watch shows that are good for the soul, ignite my inner giddy girl, and add the spicy drama that is so addictive to watch, but that I want no place for in my life.
The following provides an eclectic list of shows that are bound to be binged by any mama looking to be entertained:
Animal Kingdom (TNT, Hulu, or Prime)—Get ready to let your inner love for bad-boys come out as you watch the Cody boys adventure on a variety of risky heists. The intense family dynamics coupled with the “do whatever it takes” approach to maintain their excessive lifestyle keeps you coming back for more (and more).
Younger (Hulu)—After years of being a stay at home mom and raising her daughter, a single mother is looking to reinvent herself and re-enter her profession at 40-years-old. She takes a leap that excitedly lands her a second chance in a rewarding career, all the while making new friendships and finding complex love.
Claws (TNT and Hulu)—You know what they say, allll the great stories are told in either a hair or nail salon. In Claws, you’ll find yourself sucked into the life of a group of best friends who at face value are just really talented nail stylists, but behind closed doors, they’re involved in a whole lot more than giving fancy manicures.
Million Little Things (ABC and Hulu)—You’ll feel all the emotions with this show, and after every episode, you’ll find yourself texting your friends and wanting to hug them so hard. This show is a story of a group of incredible and unbreakable friendships who conquer all of life’s twists and turns together.
Devious Maids (Hulu)—A show about four Latina maids who work for the wealthiest couples in Beverly Hills. Their originally innocent job cleaning houses becomes powerful leverage for them as their daily job duties place them in positions to “clean out the dirty laundry” occurring amongst the richest and powerful couples, helping them to solve a murder mystery.
Mistresses (Hulu)—A spotlight on the lives of four very different friends and how they lean on each other to find themselves after life events that stimulate self-discovery.
Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)—For all Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington fans, this show is a must for you. A complex story between two totally different moms whose children forge relationships that will only bring the families closer, but not necessarily in a good way.
The Affair (Showtime)—A story about the physical and emotional impacts of an affair among two couples, and the chain of events that causes a great deal of long-lived destruction for all family members involved.
Manifest (NBC and Hulu)—A suspenseful mystery focused on a plane that disappeared for five years, and the re-introduction of the passengers into the community and with their families.
Good Behaviour (Hulu or TNT)— This show will keep you on your seat (or in your bed with your eyes wide open) for hours. This unique love story between a con-artist and hitman is one of deception, crime, and lust, but all the while candid and charming. It’s a suspenseful train wreck that you can’t stop watching.
Big Little Lies (HBO)– A suspenseful story about a tribe of moms navigating their seemingly perfect lives while behind closed doors, every bit of perfection is unraveling with the passing of each day.
Good Girls (NBC, Hulu, Netflix)—Three mothers go to desperate measures to provide financially for their families while finding their new lifestyle thrilling and satisfying yet terrifying all at the same time.
Normal People (Hulu)—Starting out as a teen romance, the relationship that blooms between the two characters broadens into a deep, complicated, painful, disturbing, raw, yet resilient and indestructible love between two people. You can feel the love these two have for each other in your core. The intensity of this show will uproot a variety of feelings and suck you in until the end.
While I haven’t personally watched any of the following shows with the exception of Outlander, I asked around and the following is a list of binge-worthy shows for couples to enjoy!
Binge-worthy couple shows
The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)
Schitt’s Creek (Prime and Netflix)
Yellowstone (Peacock)
Ozark (Netflix)
Cobra Kai (Netflix)
Vikings (Hulu)
Black Sails (Hulu, Starz)
Outlander (Netflix, Starz—I watched a few of the episodes and also read the books…the books will forever be one of my absolute favorite series.)
Homeland (Hulu—my husband watched ALL of the seasons in just a few days…he was obsessed!)
The Man in the High Castle (Prime—my husband raved about this show.)
I hope you’re able to sit back, relax and unwind with a few of these shows! If you’re like me and can’t get a waking minute alone, the good news is that you can access all of the shows on your phone. I lay in bed at night snuggling my babies and watching my “smut shows” on mute and closed caption…living the best of both worlds! A mama’s gotta do what a mama’s gotta do, right?
Happy and healthy binge-watching!
*I identified the channel that each show is on, but please know the show may be viewable on other streaming channels that I did not capture.
