How Movies Help To Strengthen Your Character and Emotions

Although many movies are filled with scenes and stunts that are a stretch from reality, they often melt the viewers’ hearts and fill them with positive emotions. Professor Jeff Zacks of the Washington University suggests that there are several complex processes in your brain that allow you to get emotional when watching a movie. For years, scientists have been trying to unlock the mystery of how films create visceral responses in people. Studies on emotions arising from movies have emphasized the connection with cognition, personality, behavior, and even psychology. Besides giving families and couples a few hours of fun, movies are an effective form of ‘film therapy’. Here are a few points about how watching movies can help to improve not only your emotions but also your character.

Sad movies can bring happiness.

While this may sound controversial, movie fanatics can relate well to the bitter-sweet aspect of sad movies. The fact is that when you watch a sorrowful film, you may begin to appreciate your life better and stop making needless comparisons with others. Tragedies have the power to make people feel thankful for everything that happens in their lives. One way to make sense of your own life is to watch movies. Through storytelling, knowledge and wisdom are passed from one generation to the next. Visual stories offer you a different perspective to view the world in great detail.

Empathy

By immersing yourself in the realm of the characters, you may experience empathy (one’s ability to relate well with the emotions of other people). Being lost in a film results in a positive review of the movie’s experience; this is also known as narrative transportation. Reading fiction or watching films is a proven way to grasp the subjective state of other individuals. Movie stories introduce you to empathy, allowing you to put yourself in the characters’ shoes without actually feeling the pain the actors go through.

Emotional release

Watching movies has been associated with emotional release, which means for people who have a hard time expressing their feelings, films can help induce laughter and crying in them. The release of positive vibes can have a massive impact on your mental health, making it easier for you to find comfort. 

Building character strengths

Films teach parents and kids about character strengths and positive psychology. These are essential for your well-being. Strength-centered approaches focus on enhancing your strengths rather than improving your weakness. Films also inspire viewers to follow in the footsteps of their role models and mentors, for example. The younger population who have a flair for acting often look up to successful actors/actresses in the entertainment industry, such as Nadya Encarnacion - New York City’s sensational singer, actress, and professional voiceover artist.