Choose Gentle Media for a Calmer, Happier Life
Some days it feels like the whole world is turned up to max volume. As a film and TV lover, I’ve noticed the same thing on screen: so many stories lean on shock value—violence, chaos, characters behaving wildly. Whatever happened to real people, real joys, and those struggles that make us human?
Lately, I’ve been intentionally choosing gentle media—content that leaves me lighter, not heavier. If you’ve felt worn down by your feeds, your watchlist, or the headlines, this is your sign to try a softer approach to what you read, watch, and listen to.
What I Mean by “Gentle Media”
Gentle media is anything that primarily elicits positive emotions (think: joy, hope, laughter, comfort). I see media as a tool—it should educate, entertain, or both. But with constant connectivity, it’s easy to drift into mindless scrolling, sensationalized storylines, or true-crime rabbit holes (honestly, how many serial-killer shows do we need?).
You’re not imagining the drain. Around four in ten people now say they sometimes or often avoid the news because it makes them feel worse. And concerns about what’s real vs. fake online are high, with about 59% of people worried about misinformation. Choosing with care isn’t naive—it’s protective. (Reuters Institute)
There’s also growing recognition that doomscrolling—endlessly consuming distressing content—is linked with worse mental and physical health, and leading health experts suggest curbing it for well-being. (Harvard Health)
So here’s how I curate my gentle media life—without pretending the world’s hard stuff doesn’t exist.
My Gentle Media Menu
Books
I’m an avid reader, and books are my coziest refuge. I reach for:
Romance (guaranteed “happily ever after”)
Cozy mysteries (all the suspense and whodunnit fun—without graphic violence)
Nonfiction on productivity, communication, and relationships—practical lessons I can apply immediately
Fun bonus: reading can be a genuine stress antidote. A small but often-cited study found as little as six minutes of reading reduced stress by up to 68%, beating out tea, walks, and even music. (Your mileage may vary, but a chapter a day is a lovely experiment.) (WebMD)
Movies
Becoming a parent flipped a switch for me—I simply can’t watch violent films anymore. My movie nights skew toward:
Old Hollywood rom-coms and dramas (hello, Audrey Hepburn marathons)
Suspenseful but non-graphic Hitchcock
The occasional Hallmark comfort watch—predictable? Sure. But I end the movie feeling hopeful, not hollow.
TV Shows
Sitcoms are the gentlest genre in my world. My forever-rewatches: Friends, The Golden Girls, Schitt’s Creek, I Love Lucy.
I also adore Abbott Elementary and Only Murders in the Building (cozy mystery vibes; any violence is off-screen). For comfort drama binges, I circle back to Suits, Gilmore Girls, and Mad Men.
Music
I skip explicit lyrics most of the time and start my mornings with instrumental jazz or lofi hip hop. When I want energy without edge, it’s house, samba, or 90s pop—upbeat, bright, and mood-lifting.
Podcasts
Podcasts are my gym/errand/cooking companions. I steer clear of political, breaking-news, and true-crime shows (instant stress for me) and reach for lifestyle, fashion, wellness, and book podcasts. Current favorites: 99% Invisible, How I Built This, and She Reads Romance.
Social Media
In 2016, I opted out completely. For me, the comments became a firehose of negativity and misinformation. I know social media can be wonderful for many things, but I asked myself: Is this adding positivity to my life? My answer was no. (I’m not alone: over half of U.S. adults say they at least sometimes get news via social media, and large shares report concerns about its effects and accuracy.) (Pew Research Center)
A 5-Minute Gentle Media Audit
Try this quick gentle media audit —no guilt, just curiosity:
How does this make me feel, in my body, after 10 minutes? (Lighter or heavier?)
Is it educating, entertaining, or neither?
Is the intensity necessary for the story—or just there to shock me?
Are there gentler alternatives that offer the same payoff?
Can I reduce exposure to on-screen violence without losing the plot?
Gentle Swaps You Can Make Today
Depending on your answers from the audit, you may want to consider swapping one show, podcast, or account this week for a kinder option.
Swap a bleak docu-series → for a human-interest documentary or a YouTube creator you find calming.
Swap late-night doomscrolling → for 15 minutes of a novel in bed. (Your sleep will thank you.)
Swap explicit playlists → for instrumental focus mixes when you work.
Swap a grisly procedural → for a cozy mystery or a character-driven dramedy.
Swap hot-take accounts → for creators who teach, soothe, or delight.
Tiny edits add up. People increasingly feel worn out by the news cycle, and protecting your attention is a smart, compassionate response—not an avoidance of reality. (Reuters Institute)
FAQs I Get About Gentle Media
Isn’t this just escapism?
Sometimes, yes—and that’s okay. Rest is not a moral failure. I still stay informed, but I’m choosy about how much and when I take in heavy content.
How do I stay informed without spiraling?
Time-box your news (e.g., 15 minutes in the afternoon), choose a couple of trusted sources, and skip the algorithmic feed. Health experts even advise limiting exposure to distressing headlines to protect mental health. (Harvard Health)
What if my partner loves intense shows?
Make it a date to alternate picks. Or watch together, then follow with gentle media (a comedy episode, a nature clip) as an emotional palate cleanser.
If You Try One Thing This Week…
Pick one corner of your media life—books, movies, TV, music, podcasts, or social—and do a gentle media swap. Notice how you feel. If it lightens you even a little, keep going.
There are real problems in the world; choosing gentle media isn’t pretending otherwise. It’s simply being more selective with your time, attention, and heart.
What do you think about gentle media? Will you consider making some swaps? Let me know if the comments!