The world is not in a great place right now. Aside from the ongoing pandemic, gas prices going through the roof, as well as the war in Ukraine, we could all use a break from the chaos. What better way to decompress than a reality show?

No, I'm serious. Not all reality shows involve vapid nitwits trying to cause drama at every turn. In fact, if you know where to find them, there are a laundry list of calming, inspiring, non-competitive shows where people show their best selves to the world. So, grab yourself a cup of tea, curl up on the couch and check out these eight reality shows sure to soothe your mind.

Blown Away

How much do you know about how some of the most beautiful glass art pieces in the world are created? Well, you're about to find out. Blow Away is a glass blowing competition where talented artists showcase their skill and prowess as they sculpt masterworks using sand, fire, and their own breath.

Exciting as it is awe inspiring, the audience is treated to not only a lesson in how it's done, but a feast for the eyes when the finished sculptures are unveiled. With the fragility of glass, there are moments of drama when things go shatteringly wrong, only to have the day saved through ingenuity and heart. A competition show for all ages, Blown Away is a sight to behold.

Blown Away is steaming now on Netflix.

Painting With John

Painting with John isn't your typical painting show. Hosted and created by John Lurie, famed jazz composer and artist, John takes you on a deep dive into some of the more odd moments in his long career, while showing off his talents with a brush. His conversations with the viewer are a mixture of honesty and sarcasm that he blends with his soothing music, culminating in an almost Bob Ross with an attitude.

Filmed at his undisclosed island home, some of the best moments of the show are when John loses the many drones he uses for his intros. Not shy with the language, his quiet demeanor adds a sharp, witty charm to the series. If you're looking for an offbeat way to spend a quiet Sunday morning, this is the show for you.

Painting with John is streaming on HBO Max.

The Dog House

If you've ever wondered why they call dogs "man's best friend," HBO's The Dog House is here to show you exactly why. This British gem acts as much as a therapy session as it does a heartwarming adoption show. Set at the Green Wood animal charity, potential dog owners are matched with their perfect fur family members according to both the needs of the owners and the requirements of the dogs.

Each episode you are introduced to a handful of adoptable dogs looking for a forever home. Enter those looking for a companion, who are interviewed about why they need the love of a pet in their lives. Some of the backstories of the humans range from folks needing to fill the gap left behind by the passing of a loved one to people with special needs which could benefit from finding that K-9 connection. You will go through a range of emotions which almost always end in tears of joy. Grab your furry friends, a box of tissues, and get ready to feel all the feels.

The Dog House is streaming now on HBO Max.

School Of Chocolate

Part cooking class, part competition show, join master chocolatier Daniel Corpuz, as he creates some of the most intricate chocolate sculptures ever seen. Instructing and judging, Corpuz trains up and coming chefs looking to become as great of their teacher.

What makes this show so wonderful is not only the breathtaking work on display, but the fact that the students work together as much as they are playing against each other to be the top student. You are treated to a sweet contest with very little drama, something that is rarely seen in cooking competitions Stateside.

School of Chocolate is streaming now on Netflix.

The Repair Shop

In a small barn in the English countryside, there is a small barn which has been transformed into an antique restoration business. It is there where craftspeople skilled in everything from woodworking to doll repair fix family heirlooms brought to them by people who have a special connection to the items they bring in to fix.

The beauty of this show is watching how these artists put their all into bringing these prized artifacts back to life for those who thought they were beyond repair. Everything from torn family portraits from eras gone by to Nana's favorite rocking chair get the royal treatment, restoring them for future generations to enjoy and pass down to their loved ones. Get ready to cry tears of joy as these nostalgic items are preserved for those who truly love them.

The Repair Shop is available on Netflix streaming.

Nailed It!

A baking competition that is all in good fun, Nailed It! is fun for the entire family. Host Nicole Byer brings her friendly brand of snark as she challenges some of the worst home chefs to recreate intricately brilliant cake sculptures to hilarious results.

Joined by celebrity chefs and comedian judges, this lighthearted cooking contest will have you cracking up at just how awful these non-professional creations turn out. What is so much fun is that nobody goes home crying at the end, they are in on the joke which makes their reactions all the more funny. If you're looking to cut down on sweets, trust me, you won't be hungry after seeing some of these botch confections in all their sloppy glory.

Nailed It! Is streaming on Netflix.

Binging With Babish

Youtube has given way to some of the most talented influencers the internet has to offer. Andrew Rea aka Babish takes you on a culinary journey as he tries to recreate some of the silliest recipes from television and film.

With his deep voice and charming persona, Andrew whips up delicacies like the Crabby Patty from Sponge Bob Square Pants to Homer Simpsons Nacho Hat. But the series is so much more than that. Every now and again he will bring on fellow cooks to join in on the fun, while occasionally breaking the fourth wall by showing just what goes into producing this wildly popular web series. In this generation of YouTube streamers turned celebrities, Binging with Babish is definitely worth a, well, binge.

Binging with Babish can be found on YouTube.

The Great British Baking Show

I would be remiss if I didn't recommend the reality show that started the trend of friendly competition on television. The Great British Baking Show has been around since 2010 and has become one of the most popular streaming shows ever.

Judged by dessert chefs Paul Hollywood, Mary Berry, and Prue Leith, depending on the season, they bring in some of England's best home cooks to vie for the award of Star Baker. Each episode you get to know the contestants as they try to create tasty confections set forth by the judges. The show became known for it's delightful interaction between contestants who are more apt to help one another than to win. This is family time at its best.

The Great British Baking Show is streaming on Netflix.

Tags: Reality TV The Great British Baking Show Binging With Babish The Repair Shop netflix hbo max