When You're Home Sick and Stuck Watching TV

I'm a first-year college student living away from home for the first time. I've been adjusting to my new independence and trying to find my footing socially, but sometimes it all gets too much. Last week, I woke up with a terrible cold and decided to call in sick for the day. Instead of catching up on work or sleep, though, I ended up binge-watching reality TV shows that I usually consider too silly to watch. It felt like a step backward from being an independent adult who reads books or listens to podcasts while working. But it also made me feel oddly comforted and connected to my high school days when such escapism was routine. Why do we sometimes retreat into the things we consider childish as a coping mechanism? How do you balance self-care with personal growth? I'm curious what everyone else thinks about this.