While I can enjoy a good murder mystery or vampire series as much as the next person, it’s always nice when I find something inspiring to watch on TV. In addition to books, lectures, workshops and other tools, uplifting shows and movies can offer another form of self-help.

According to an article on Psychologytoday.com by Peter G. Stromberg, we mentally enter the stories we watch. “The imitative capacities of our minds enable us to almost completely occupy a fictional position...our thoughts and feelings begin to be shaped more by the fiction than by our real-life situation,” writes Stromberg, “

So when I watch Ben (Scott Speedman), Julie (Amy Jo Johnson) and Sean (Greg Grunberg) from the series Felicity share Thanksgiving dinner in front of a huge loft window while a light snow is falling over New York City, I am there. This phenomenon, according to the article is called “narrative transport.”

It’s thrilling to imagine being chased by zombies during the apocalypse, but I doubt anything you learn while watching this sort of show will help you with your current goals. However putting yourself in the place of Han Se Kyung (Moon Geun-young) from the drama Cheongdam Dong Alice as she copes with a series of disappointments both privately and in her career may help you better understand the reversals you are experiencing in your life right now.

Have you ever found yourself struggling to thrive because of less than favorable circumstances or surroundings? Such is the life of Los Angeles cop Eddie Sutton (Russell Hornsby) from Lincoln Heights. Lincoln Heights revolves around Sutton who moves with his wife and kids to his old neighborhood. As the family comes to terms with the realities of urban life, they face a variety of challenges including unfriendly neighbors, gang activity, racism and the other issues. Viewers can learn much about perseverance as they watch this fictional family face their troubles and ultimately triumph against the odds.

Lincoln Heights, Felicity and Cheongdam Dong Alice are all available on Netflix along with other uplifting dramas like Hart of Dixie and Boys over Flowers.