Why People Watching Is Therapeutic | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Why People Watching Is Therapeutic

Observe and learn.

2210
Why People Watching Is Therapeutic

In my free time, I like going to a public area, sitting on a bench and observing people who walk past me. Although it sounds like something a stalker would do, this act in which I partake at least a few times a week is actually one that is therapeutic. My life, like everyone else’s, is crazy, tiring, stressful and sometimes even overbearing. I’ve tried everything to clear my head when I feel this way – I’ve tried running, which sometimes helps but half the time I’m too lazy. I’ve tried listening to calm music but the lyrics almost always make me think about life. I’ve also tried sleeping but my thoughts always overpower my urge to actually go to sleep. Whenever I feel down, stressed, tired or overwhelmed, I go and people watch. It’s a therapeutic action that I always end up going back to.

What is people-watching? It seems self explanatory – you watch people. But there is much more to it than that. People-watching is the act of discreetly observing the actions and lifestyles of other people in order to gain knowledge about ourselves and the world around us. We’re observing the way everyone else handles life, lives life, and partakes in life. We watch other people’s reactions to the world outside of them – the way they walk, talk and listen, and where their life is headed. We tend to observe, learn and get inspired.

Everyone we ever see has a lifestyle much different than ours. It is an amazing thought to be able to view other people’s lives even if all we know is what we see. To me, that is the most exciting part of it all. Although I don’t personally know any of the people I’m observing, I can learn much about them just from the way they appear. I can create a story for these people, making this whole process therapeutic.

Therapy is defined as some sort of treatment, specifically one for mental or physical means. People-watching is a treatment itself—by watching other peoples’ struggles, their joyous moments or their depressing facial expressions, we can treat our own emotions.

Selfish might be a way to describe it but by observing those around me, I can get my own mind off things that I’ve been worrying about. Similar to being immersed in a book or a movie, people watching can help us forget about our worlds and enter those of others. Viewing the things that other’s are doing can provoke our minds to relax and forget about the problems we are facing. For a moment, we can be lost while still knowing our whereabouts.

Inspiration is also a product of people-watching. After attending a Nets vs. Bulls game a few weeks ago, I tended to focus on the people around me as much as the actual basketball game. Especially during half-time where wealthy New Yorkers would be leaving their court side seats to purchase the entire Nets store, I would watch them all. I would observe what people were wearing, the people they were with and the life they seemed to live. Specifically, I noticed many young men who wore tailored suits. Although I could be wrong, the story I put behind each of them was that they were all out for a basketball game after a long day at work. They worked, they made money and now they’re able to attend a Nets game while sitting less than 50 feet away from each player. I also saw young wealthy couples who went to this game as a casual date night. I observed them and thought about who they were, what they were doing there and why they were there. After thinking about it all, I realized that they all inspired me to be able to live a life similar to theirs. After being exposed to their lavish lifestyles, I was inspired to have a future where I can wear the same things and do the same things as them.

There are also times where I observe others and feel sympathetic towards them. It is a gift to be able to see others less fortunate and to be able to feel the impact of their circumstances. Watching homeless people on my way to Starbucks is now a daily ritual but even though I pass by the same 45-year-old man wearing rugged slip ons, I still observe him every time. Seeing his lifestyle makes me appreciate mine, which is therapy in itself. By viewing the way he lives, I feel gratified and I tend to let go of the pointless "problems" that I think I have in my life. This act makes me feel grateful since it forces me to appreciate what I have after seeing what other’s don’t have.

There’s also a fun aspect to people-watching. It is great to discreetly watch someone as they embarrassingly trip and think that no one saw them. It is even better seeing a couple on their first date and noticing the awkward tension between the two. The best part of this humor is that you share it with no one but yourself—you saw it, you think about it and you laugh to yourself. When the moment is over, no one else mentions it and onto the next thing to observe. This process is fun because you get to share it with your mind only so the amusement is all for yourself.

If you’re ever feeling like you need to be revived, go outside to a public setting and observe the people who walk past you. You will either be able to get your mind off your own problems, feel inspired, be gratified or amuse yourself. It is a therapeutic act that will be different each time, making it even more enticing.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1077
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

650
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199754
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20609
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments