It can be hard to commit your time and emotional energy to a new TV series or movie, especially when the one you just burned through struck a particular chord.

So we asked our ABC Messenger audience for their tips and tricks for choosing what to watch next.

The responses flooded in, and even though everyone said something slightly different, a few patterns began to emerge.

With the recent additions of Disney+ and Apple TV+ to the Netflix, Stan, Amazon and iview mix, we're spoiled for choice for streaming services.

But with great choice comes great responsibility, and though binge-watching shows is the favourite pastime for many, it can actually have some pretty negative effects on our mental health. We talk more about that a little later.



So for now, without further ado, here are the five most common types of streamers, as suggested by you.

1. The list-maker

The most obvious type of viewer, the list-maker collects titles when and where they can, likely keeping a list on their phone.

IMDb, entertainment podcasts (ABC RN's The Screen Show got a mention) and various recommended lists were all sources people mentioned in their responses.

"I go through the IMDb list of top 250 TV shows, and see what the highest-rated show that I haven't seen on the streaming services I use is — assuming the show has ended" — Angus M

The more dedicated list-makers take note of upcoming release dates.

"I check the 'what's coming this month' and put the dates in my iCal. That way I've got the shows I know and love settled, and try some new suggestions in between." — Kate W

Shows they're most likely to watch: The new season of that show that was big a couple of years ago...actually it doesn't matter, they'll never cross it off the list anyway.

2. The sheep

The most common type of binge-watcher, the sheep relies on friends, family and colleagues to tell them about shows they should be watching. The more people who recommend something, the more they're likely to give it a try.

Some might even have that one trusted go-to person for recommendations.

"Get a hold of that person who you trust for having the best taste in shows and ask for your next instalment." — Beth A

Not when it's the only thing people are chatting about in the breakroom. ( Supplied: Quickmeme )

These people are most likely to watch: Game of Thrones, The Handmaid's Tale and Breaking Bad.

3. The cross-checker

The most thorough of the groups, this type of viewer has a more rigorous selection process to determine what media they should devote their time to.

"I pick 4-5 other shows on my 'to watch' list, making sure there's a variety of genres, show length, etc. Then watch the first episode of each one right through. Then whatever one I pick to watch the second episode of is the next binge victim!" – Cristin R

This group is open to switching up genres, and making the most of the viewing experience.

"I rewatch it again slowly savouring every single scene. Then I have a break and watch something I've seen a few times readying me for my next binge watch. Like cleansing 'the palate' after a wine-tasting session." – Saber T

"Well, my tip is *always* watch something completely different. Don't follow up dark sci-fi with more dark sci-fi. Also, I like to go from series to feature length. But most importantly don't try to recreate what you just loved, it's hopeless. Also, turn off the TV for a while. Have some friends over. Play some board games, or some good 'ole fashion key swapping…" — Mat Q

"I go through the recently added lists to see what I've missed whilst under my binge-rock. If nothing there satisfies my thirst, I pick a genre I'm feeling and delve into that. Sometimes I will use Google to look up related shows. I also save anything vaguely interesting to me into my list just for rainy days. If all else fails I call my dad because he's retired and apparently has memorised the contents of Stan, Netflix and Foxtel." — Niamh Kilkelly

Most likely to watch: Black Mirror, Big Mouth, Killing Eve, Peaky Blinders.

4. The softie

Some people love watching their old favourites. ( ABC News: Edwina Seselja )

If you re-watch your favourite series out of nostalgia, perhaps interspersing them between new shows, you belong in this group.

"Honestly bold of you to assume that I pick a new show. I've watched Grace and Frankie 10 times already and there's no slowing down this train." — Emily D

"When we finish a show, we watch Brooklyn 99 through then find another. If we've watched B99 too recently, the The Office or Parks and Rec works too." – Seamus B

"Go back to The Office. Rinse and repeat." – Steph J

Most likely to watch: Friends, The Office, Arrested Development and Seinfeld.

5. The desperado

Can't cope with your favourite series ending? ( ABC News: Edwina Seselja )

For some, there's no hope of filling the void after finishing a good series and the only thing left to do is wait…

"I just cry into my pillow because I have to wait a year for the next season." — Belinda R

"If it's an older show that's finished, I'll find bloopers and cast interviews so that I can move on easier if it really impacted me!" – Michael P

Most likely to watch: The Crown, Dr Who and Rick and Morty.

Whether you identify with these groups or not, remember...

"Give yourself a little detox time. Too many times I've gone from binge to binge and paid the price down the track!" — William J

Clinical psychologist Dr Brendon Dellar, an expert in addictions and neuropsychology, echoes this advice.

He says there is a high correlation between binge-watching and depression — although it's hard to know which causes which.

TV addiction, Dr Dellar says, is much like other behavioural addictions like gambling, internet pornography, and online gaming. And he says it's on the rise.

And because we binge-watch most of our content on laptops or smartphones, it's become an increasingly solitary activity.

"The impacts of this on developing social skills in our youth, as well as forming and maintaining healthy relationships is certainly apparent but we're yet to see what the long-term effects actually are," Dr Dellar said.

Here's how you can break up a binge

Dr Dellar says it's more difficult to become addicted to something when you have days off.

"Try to have two to three screen-free nights, ideally spaced out," he said.

"This can be hard to do when the series is enthralling, but it's a healthy decision if it helps combat addictive or compulsive TV watching."

Tips for breaking up a binge Set your stopwatch, smart TV timer or smartphone to two hours per day

Set your stopwatch, smart TV timer or smartphone to two hours per day Get a friend or partner to watch with you and set a two-hour time limit with breaks every 30 minutes

Get a friend or partner to watch with you and set a two-hour time limit with breaks every 30 minutes Switch up the content. Too much violence should be balanced by watching documentaries or something that impacts positively on you

Switch up the content. Too much violence should be balanced by watching documentaries or something that impacts positively on you Give yourself 60 minutes of screen-free time before heading to bed. Try not to watch TV in bed.

It's important to keep moving too.

Dr Dellar recommends moving for 10 minutes in the middle of every hour, so even stopping mid-episode for a bathroom break is a good way to make sure you're moving your body.

"One woman I saw clinically set up her exercise bicycle from the shed to the home theatre and made sure that she cycled [casually not intensely] every time she watched Game of Thrones," he said.

"This reduced her weight and she limited binge-watching to one episode given she was too exhausted to cycle anymore."