Stop feeling guilty! Binge watching TV is actually really good for you

As the Christmas break is looming, it's safe to say many of us will be dropping ourselves on the couch to binge-watch whatever Netflix has in store for us over the holidays.

And for people who feel bad about the guilty pleasure or think it's a waste of time, take a step back because it turns out binge-watching TV is actually good for you.

Neuroscientist Vanessa Hill spoke to Harper's Bazaar about the benefits of sitting in front of the TV for a couple of hours.

"We all need some rest and relaxation from time to time and it's super important we acknowledge that – it's actually beneficial for our mental health to be inactive for a couple of hours a week.

"Watching movies and television can have some really surprising benefits. Yes, at face-value, they are entertaining, but they also have significant psychological and physiological benefits and we should take advantage of them.

"It allows us to switch our brain off from pressures, better equipping us to deal with our daily stressors when we return to the hustle and bustle of daily life," she says.

"Research shows we find the Christmas period a particularly stressful time of year, from busy work schedules, to financial pressures, social engagements – R&R has never been so important."

So there you have it ladies – you know where we'll be this Christmas.