Watching Videos Instead of Meditating: How Awe and Inspiration Can Reduce Stress
A man survives two separate cancer diagnoses and climbs Mount Everest with just one lung. A teenager with autism becomes the hero of a basketball game. And a famous comedian with a fear of roller coasters rides one — screaming, but smiling.
Three people, three stories. What they have in common: short videos, each around five minutes long. And according to a study published in Psychology of Popular Media, two of these videos can relax us just as effectively as a guided meditation. Researchers asked one group to watch an inspiring video each day, another group to watch funny clips, and a third group to meditate. The study was conducted in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas, a time when many people feel especially stressed.
The results were clear: inspiration and hope were just as effective as meditation. Both approaches reduced stress equally well, and their effects lasted for several days. Humorous videos had a weaker impact, with benefits that were only short-lived.
Stress reduction was observed across all age groups, genders, and baseline conditions. Among those who were highly stressed and those who were less so, among people with strong resilience and self-confidence, and among those at the opposite end of the spectrum.
One Intentional Video a Day, Not Endless Scrolling
So does this mean we now have a free pass to binge-watch videos on our phones? Not quite. Participants watched one video per day and committed to avoiding other video content. No endless scrolling through algorithm-driven feeds. The researchers emphasized that this is especially useful as a strategy during particularly stressful times, when everyday life feels overwhelming and there’s little energy left for other coping tools. In such moments, an inspiring video can be “a readily available, efficient, and enjoyable tool in the stress management toolbox.”
It’s still unclear whether the five-day test phase truly led to sustained well-being for up to ten days, or whether participants simply enjoyed the hopeful videos so much that they continued watching similar content on their own — and benefited from that. The research team, led by Robin Nabi, who has studied this topic for years, now plans to explore which types of videos work best and which are less effective.
“Underdog” Stories: Unlikely Heroes That Move Us
The study primarily used “underdog” stories of people who achieve something remarkable despite difficult circumstances. These were chosen because they reliably trigger positive emotions. It’s easy to root for these individuals and feel joy in their success. The authors note that future research should explore whether uplifting videos about nature or human kindness might have similar effects.
It’s also possible that the stress relief didn’t come from the video content itself, but from the break it provided. A short, intentional media moment may be soothing and restorative in its own right. What matters is that it’s a single, purposeful video and not a string of clips consumed through endless scrolling.
Media Prescriptions: Entertainment as Emotional Medicine
Other studies have shown that uplifting and positive content can be balm for a stressed-out mind. The foundation for this idea was laid in 2020 by Abby Prestin and Robin Nabi in the Journal of Communication. They introduced the concept of “media prescriptions” — using entertainment media as a remedy for stress. Their research examined how videos designed to evoke hope, humor, or calm could reduce stress, ease symptoms, and support goal achievement.
Participants were compared to a control group that didn’t watch any videos. The results showed that hopeful “underdog” stories were especially effective in promoting relaxation and motivation.
Films and Series as Recovery Tools
Before the recent “media versus meditation” comparison, researchers tested various other interventions. A study published in Computers in Human Behavior Reports found that humor also works, but only in the short term. Participants watched funny videos daily, which helped them relax and boosted their mood. However, the effects faded after about 30 minutes, and no long-term changes were observed.
A 2021 model introduced in Media Psychology describes how entertainment can support recovery. It explains that watching a film or series after a stressful day isn’t just a distraction, it’s a way to recharge. Media consumption, in this view, isn’t wasted time but an active process of emotional restoration. However, this requires intentional selection of a movie or episode. The model doesn’t apply to aimless scrolling on social media.
AWE: The Power of Wonder
A recent study published in Scientific Reports explored the effects of awe. Participants viewed natural phenomena or videos that evoked a sense of wonder. Like the hope-based videos, these experiences improved well-being and reduced stress and depressive symptoms. Importantly, awe can be cultivated without digital tools. The study used the English term “awe” to describe how this emotion can be accessed in everyday life.
The researchers offered a simple framework:
Attention: Give your full, undivided focus to something.
Wait: Pause, slow down, and allow the moment to unfold.
Expand: Stretch the experience and hold onto the emotion.
Children are the best role models for this. They marvel with complete focus and are fully absorbed. When a train, tractor, or airplane passes by, they stop and watch until the moment is over. They’re curious and nonjudgmental. Adults, by contrast, are often too distracted to notice such moments.
But the awe study shows that wonder can be trained. Participants reported more spontaneous awe experiences in their daily lives. Like mindfulness or gratitude, awe can be practiced and integrated. Whether it’s gazing at the stars, observing nature, admiring architecture or technology, or consciously listening to music, art, or videos — these moments can be invited and amplified.
Happy News: Positive Headlines Work
In addition to inspiration, awe, laughter, and videos, positive news can also boost well-being and reduce stress. People who regularly read uplifting online articles or solution-focused journalism feel less helpless, more emotionally balanced, and more hopeful.
A chapter in the Handbook of Science and Health Journalism summarizes several studies on constructive journalism, which is a counterpoint to the constant negativity of traditional problem-focused media. Health and science topics, like those featured on Happy Spot, are especially promising for enhancing well-being.
And it’s not just the content, it starts with the headlines. One study analyzed how different types of social media headlines affect readers’ mood. Positive headlines led to better emotional states and more positive feelings. Negative ones increased stress and reduced emotional regulation. The effect was especially pronounced among heavy social media users.
Everyday Tips for Videos and Good News
So what does this mean for everyday life? It means actively seeking out inspiration, hope, and optimism, whether on happy-spot.com, in the upcoming app, or through specific videos, as multiple studies have shown.
But the path to these videos can be tricky. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram learn what users enjoy and may show more inspiring content, but they’re also designed to keep people online as long as possible. After one or two uplifting clips, the algorithm often shifts toward content that triggers stronger emotions and more clicks: outrage, fear, or other negative reactions.
To stay in control, here are some strategies:
Turn off autoplay: Prevents automatic video playback and helps you stop after one.
Choose intentionally: Subscribe to playlists, channels, or platforms focused on positive content (e.g., Happy Spot, The Dodo). Unsubscribe from those that thrive on negativity.
Use the algorithm wisely: On YouTube, clear your watch history to reset recommendations. On TikTok or Instagram, mark unwanted videos as “not interested.” Results may vary.
Media over social media: Instead of letting platforms guide you, subscribe to fixed sources of uplifting content, like the Happy Spot newsletter or similar good-news services. Podcasts or walks can also be great alternatives.
Set a conscious end point: After one or two inspiring videos, stop intentionally. Use a timer or app limit to avoid falling into the scroll trap.
Digital helpers: Apps like “One Sec” or “StayFree” ask if you really want to open an app, helping you break the autopilot. Browser extensions like “Unhook” let you watch YouTube without suggestions, comments, or shorts.
Conclusion: Seek Out Inspiration, Awe, and Positivity
Videos are more than entertainment. They can spark hope, calm the mind, and improve well-being, with effects comparable to meditation. While meditation may offer more lasting benefits, videos have the advantage of being instantly accessible and helpful in moments of overwhelm.
The key is to use them intentionally and in moderation. Other simple, science-backed strategies for stress relief include websites and newsletters with positive content, and practicing awe in everyday life. Like mindfulness or positive psychology, it doesn’t take much — just a few minutes a day can make a real difference.
Sources
Psychology of Popular Media: Media versus meditation: A comparison of the stress-relieving benefits of multiple media experiences. (2025)
Journal of Communication: Media prescriptions: Exploring the therapeutic effects of entertainment media on stress relief, illness symptoms, and goal attainment. (2020)
Computers in Human Behavior Reports: Short-, medium-, and long-term impact of watching humorous video clips on stress and well-being. (2023)
Media Psychology: Media entertainment as a self-regulatory resource: The Recovery and Resilience in Entertaining Media Use (R2EM) model. (2021)
SSM - Mental Health: Does social media use make us happy? A meta-analysis on social media and positive well-being outcomes. (2024)
Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice: Efficacy of video-based relaxation technique to minimize stress in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2023)
Scientific Reports: Awe reduces depressive symptoms and improves well-being in a randomized-controlled clinical trial. (2025)
Handbook of Science and Health Journalism: It’s Not All Bad News: Solutions-Oriented Journalism Approaches
Youtube: Happy Videos Playlist
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