Summary
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Introduction
Like many of you, I love a good story. I've read Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series three times, cherishing its vast array of complex characters and intricate plotlines. I dare say I even enjoyed it more than classics like "The Lord of the Rings" or "Game of Thrones." While all three series are outstanding, I found myself connecting more with Jordan's character Rand Al'Thor. So when Amazon released their Wheel of Time adaptation, I was excited to see how well it could be adapted to the big screen. Would it be as well done as Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies?
The short answer is yes. The production values of the show are amazing. It portrays an incredibly rich and interwoven world with outstanding actors who are fully believable. The scenery and staging is truly incredible.
That said, I found myself uncomfortable with how the show portrayed violence. The extremely graphic scenes of blood spurting from throats, images of horrific evil figures, and the reliance on jarring images and flashing lights—it all felt excessive and, frankly, unnecessary to tell the story I loved.
Yes, the violence is in the books, so I shouldn't be that surprised. Perhaps it's just that I'm becoming more sensitive to the effects of blood and gore on my psyche. I'm also not a fan of Hollywood's obsession with flashing light sequences. It tends to hurt my eyes and leaves me with an undesirable sense of fight or flight syndrome.
While I fully intend to continue watching this excellent show, the experience led me to question: What effect does consuming violent and frightening media have on our mental and physical wellbeing? And more importantly, how can we make more conscious choices about the entertainment we welcome into our lives?
The Hidden Health Effects of Violent Media
Impact on Our Nervous System
When we watch violent or frightening content, our bodies don't fully distinguish between fictional threats and real ones. Our brain activates its threat-response system, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that prepare us for danger.
For our ancestors, this response was crucial for survival. But when triggered repeatedly through entertainment, it can create ongoing stress that affects our health in several ways:
- Sleep disruption: Violent or frightening content viewed before bedtime can significantly impact both our ability to fall asleep and the quality of our rest.
- Heightened anxiety: The brain's threat detection remains active even after viewing ends, potentially increasing baseline anxiety levels.
- Physical tension: Repeated stress hormone release can contribute to muscle tension, headaches, and digestive issues.
The Desensitization Effect
Perhaps most concerning is how regular exposure to media violence can gradually desensitize us. Research suggests that this desensitization may reduce our empathic responses and emotional reactivity to suffering—not just in fictional contexts but potentially in real-life situations as well.
Personal Vulnerability Factors
Not everyone is affected equally by violent content. Several factors influence how strongly media impacts us:
- Personal sensitivity: Some people naturally have more reactive nervous systems.
- Past experiences: Previous trauma can make certain content more triggering.
- Current stress levels: When we're already stressed, violent content has greater impact.
- Age: While this article focuses on adults, children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable.
A Personal Perspective: Learning from Eckhart Tolle
I was particularly struck by something spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle shared in an interview with Oprah Winfrey years ago. When asked about watching movies, Tolle explained that he enjoys them occasionally but is very conscious about what he selects and how he watches. He emphasized the importance of remembering that what we're seeing isn't real—just actors in made-up scenes.
Most significantly, Tolle recommended avoiding horror and extreme violence, explaining that such content can desensitize our minds and disconnect us from our inner awareness and spirit.
This perspective resonated deeply with me. Perhaps my discomfort with the graphic nature of the Wheel of Time adaptation wasn't just personal preference but an inner wisdom recognizing what wasn't serving my wellbeing.
Creating Your Personal Media Guidelines
Rather than offering one-size-fits-all rules, consider developing personal guidelines that honor your unique sensitivities and needs:
1. Practice Mindful Selection
Before choosing entertainment, ask yourself:
- How does this content typically make me feel during and after watching?
- What state of mind am I in right now? Am I already stressed or anxious?
- What's my purpose in watching this? Entertainment, education, distraction?
2. Create Healthy Viewing Habits
- Establish a media-free buffer zone before bedtime (ideally 1-2 hours)
- Take breaks during intense content to check in with your body
- Mix intense content with uplifting or calming media to create balance
3. Develop Media Literacy Skills
- Recognize production techniques designed to heighten emotional responses
- Remind yourself that what you're watching is fictional and created for effect
- Pay attention to how different types of content affect your mood and energy
A Wish for Media Choice Options
Like many people, I wish film producers and streaming services would offer viewers options for how we experience content. Imagine if we could select the version of the show or movie to accommodate the audience watching. Such an approach would enable the viewer to choose the Rated G, PG, or R version of the show/film—allowing us to enjoy compelling stories without unnecessary violence or disturbing imagery.
Admittedly, this approach would significantly increase writing and production costs, as differently rated versions of the show would include or exclude different scenes. Then there is the question of how to address missing context if certain scenes are deleted from the, say, G or PG versions due to their violence. Perhaps that would require additional filming to fill in the gaps. Instead of seeing a head chopped off and blood spurting everywhere, the person affected would simply be tossed to the ground, like in the old Errol Flynn movies such as Robin Hood with Olivia De Havilland.
Until that option exists, we'll need to take personal responsibility for our media consumption by making conscious choices, setting healthy boundaries, and listening to our internal wisdom about what truly serves our wellbeing. If it feels too gross, jarring, or shocking, it's probably not good for you.
Conclusion
My experience with the Wheel of Time adaptation taught me something valuable: Sometimes our discomfort with certain types of content isn't merely subjective taste—it may be our mind and body telling us what they need to stay healthy.
While I will still watch the third season of the Wheel of Time series on Amazon—because I loved the series and the show is really well done—I generally turn down the volume and cover my eyes during scary parts. That may sound wimpy—indeed it is—but it works for me. It is an imperfect solution to Hollywood's fascination with blood and violence.
I really wish they would invent the ability for users to select the versioning of the media content.
Last, as Eckhart Tolle suggests, becoming more conscious about what we watch and how we watch it isn't about restriction but about honoring our wellbeing. By making mindful choices about the media we consume, we can enjoy entertainment that enriches rather than depletes us.
What kinds of media do you find most nourishing? And what strategies have you developed for maintaining a healthy relationship with entertainment? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
