If you are the average person living in the United States you are probably watching about 19-20 hours of television each week. If we just turned off our televisions we could be so much more productive. Many people would find other ways to waste that same amount of time if they weren't watching television. So the real question is: Just how bad is it if you spend too much time in front of the television?
Probably the most important reason to stop watching television or at least to cut down the number of hours that you watch is related to your health. Both adults and children that watch several hours of television each day tend to be overweight and in poorer overall health than their counterparts who are not watching. This is because television viewing is a sedentary activity that requires no physical exercise. You are also more likely to eat more while you are in front of the television. Many people are surprised to learn that they have consumed so many extra calories while sitting in front of the tube. With the emphasis on eliminating obesity in both children and adults in the United States, cutting down on your viewing is probably a wise decision. Instead of watching for an extra hour go for a walk and spend some time talking to your friends and family.
Another reason to watch less is that your relationships suffer when you are focusing your attention on the television instead of the people around you. Decide when you will turn off the television and spend time together with your family members without any distractions. Some families chose to turn off the television for a half hour before they eat dinner and not turn it on again until a half hour after everyone has finished eating and everything has been cleaned up and put away. This gives you time to talk to each other and deepen your relationships with each other. Television shows are about other people's lives, not yours. Learn more about what your family members have been doing all day and what they think and care about in the world.
Television viewing is seen by some to be a relaxing activity but studies show that watching certain programs can be very stressful. If you are getting your news strictly from viewing it on television the graphic nature of how it is presented can be harmful to your emotional well being. This is especially true of children. They can be negatively affected by seeing crimes and fighting on television. Try to get most of your news from reading about it in the newspaper, magazines, or on the internet instead of viewing it directly.
See if you can agree with your family to only watch one hour of television each day for a week.
Record the shows you want to see so that you can eliminate the commercials. You may find that you will not have any interest in seeing shows you have recorded after a day or so has passed.
Make it a rule not to eat snack foods while sitting in front of the television.
Let each family member choose one show to record and have the entire family watch that show together. Use it as a time to discuss the issues that arise during the show.
Spend time together as a family in front of the television without turning it on. You may have become so accustomed to turning the set on that it has become almost like a friend. Wean yourself away from that behavior.
Play cards or board games in front of the television without turning it on. This will help you get to know each other and to listen to what the other person is saying.
After a week or two of limiting your television viewing habits you may find that you don't miss it as much as you thought you would. But remember that watching television is a habit that you can easily fall back into. Remind your family regularly about what you have all agreed to do regarding the television and help each other to remember your rules.
By making rules about watching television and strictly adhering to them, you and your family should benefit by having more time together, eating less snack food, having more to talk about to each other, and feeling more relaxed in your daily life.
Connie Ragen Green is a motivational writer, speaker, and mentor who turned off her television more than a year ago. To find out more visit her at http://greenhouse.typepad.com/law_of_attraction
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