And the benefits didn't just stop there. During the film, viewers' heart rates became more closely aligned, often beating in unison, while skin conductance tests showed an increase in emotional arousal levels at points in the film.
The elements of watching a film – switching off from other distractions, such as your phone, while also participating in a shared group setting and cultural experience – can have positive effects on brain function and boost things like memory, focus, productivity, creativity, bonding with others and overall mood, according to the neuroscientists behind the study.
On top of this, our ability to sustain focus and attention plays a critical role in building our mental resilience, because problem-solving typically requires a concentrated effort to overcome obstacles. In other words, our ability to work through problems without distraction makes us better able to solve problems and makes us more productive. In a world where it is increasingly difficult to step away from our devices, this level of sustained focus is good for us.
Now, we're not suggesting you cut out all exercise in favour of weekly movie marathons, but it is good to know that even when we're 'lazing about' we're actually having a more positive impact our minds and bodies than we think.