TURN OFF TV, TUNE INTO LIFE
| Watching television occupies a major part of our spare time. Television watching has become inseparable in our life. Television keeps running in the back ground even if we are reading a book or magazine. It’s almost as if we are addicted to the background noise of Television. It keeps running even though no one is watching it. |
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I am not suggesting that you should totally avoid seeing Television. Let us first try to realize how much time we are spending watching TV. Later on we can decide whether it is worth spending this much time just watching TV.
The first question to ask yourself is how much time do you spend watching TV? It’s probably a lot more than you ever realized. The average person now watches 4.5 hours of TV a day.
To begin with, simply record the timings when you watch TV in a diary. This will help you to ascertain the total television watching time on day to day basis.This act can help you to realize how much time you actually spending watching TV. In fact, the very act of recording how much time you spend watching TV is likely to reduce your habit.
I’m not arguing that everyone should give up TV. What I am suggesting is that you should greatly reduce the amount you watch so that you only watch programs that you believe are worth more than other things you could be doing during that time.
How to curtail TV viewing time?
Start small.
Try to avoid watching any one particular show which you regularly watch every day.
Let it be gradual
It is better to gradually reduce your TV viewing over a period of time.
For example, You may be watching TV for 6 hrs every day. This may be reduced to 5 hours during the first week, then to 4 hrs in next week and so on. This will force you to pick the shows that you really want to watch versus simply sitting in front of the TV because it’s easier than doing something else.
Eventually, you will whittle down the shows you watch to a manageable few.
Try to avoid watching TV on one full day every week, may be every Monday as you will be busy with the beginning of week.
Eventually, increase the number of days per week when you don’t watch TV, until there are none (if you wish to go that far).
How to do it?
Of course the first step is simple. Unplug the television and move it away from easy access. This will help you in weaker times if your will power faults. At least move the television away from the central area of your house.
Keep the TV in public areas only: Place the television in a common area, so that is easy for you to monitor. This will help to reduce the viewing time in addition to teaching the habit of sharing and compromise to your kids.
Watch only recorded shows: Make a rule that you will only watch recorded shows. Then place a limit on how much TV you can record. This will force you to be more selective about what you watch.
Reduce the number of TVs: Cut down on the number of TVs, and you’ll cut down on TV time. You might be met with a good deal of resistance if you live with family members who are addicted to TV, especially kids.
Don’t leave the TV on all the time in the background: If nobody’s actively watching it, turn it off. A TV that is turned on draws most people towards it. If you prefer a bit of background noise while you work, try the radio, music players.
Meet other people who have made the same choice: You may seem like you are the only person not watching TV, but there are many people like you trying to reduce TV viewing. Get in touch with them and share your experiences.
Decide what your time is worth: Take some time to calculate how much you your time is worth. Whatever you decide your hourly rate is worth, that is how much you must pay to watch each hour of TV over your allotted weekly free hours with the money going toward your savings.
Reward reduction in TV viewing: Reward yourself and children based on the progress in reduction of TV viewing time. The rewards might be activity based, such as going to an amusement park or the theater etc.
What do do?
Make sure to replace that time with another activity that’s equally or more satisfying. FIND SOMETHING to do with your spare time. Make a list of goals, or things you always complain about but never have time to do. This is a critical step because if you do not find something that will keep your interest, you will be tempted to again watch TV.
Encourage outdoor and sporting activities.
Go on outings together. Visit museums, parks, science centers, aquariums and amusement parks, zoos, cinema, the beach etc. to ensure that you are away from the TV.
See a friend. Everyone has a story and their own trials and tribulations. These almost always rival anything that can be scripted. Your friends will appreciate your time and input in solving their problems.
See a show. Go out and see a band, play, exhibition etc. You get the same audio/visual stimulation but with a nice social aspect. You get to meet people who enjoy such shows.
Talk to unknown persons. Try and start a conversation with people whom you meet in bus or street etc. People you don’t know will share their stories if you allow them to. It takes a little more effort than TV or seeing a show, but the experience is always much more rewarding.
Go for walks. Wherever you live, there are things to look at. Lakes, street lamps, children; they all have their own charm and beauty. It’s a much more subtle pleasure, but one that could result in something unexpected.
Listen to music. We’re usually listening to music while doing something else like work or going to work. But how about setting some time to just listen to a record and take it all in.
Try to involve the whole family in this effort.
Why you must try this?
You will not only be setting your kids a great example but you’ll be doing yourself a favour, too. Just see how much more time emerges in your day when you restrict the TV viewing.
The nice thing about quitting television, you have much more free time on your hands. Sure, you get bored faster but in order to compensate, your mind explores more. You read more about interesting subjects. Interesting subjects provoke thought. Making good use of leisure has been a skill in and of itself. Your attitude will change from, “I have no time for that.” to “I can do anything I put my mind to”.
One word of warning - do not turn to the internet, video games and other sources of electronic entertainment instead of TV.
Some people may not understand your decision, especially as TV-watching is the norm. Stand up for your choice and invite others to join you. This will also strengthen your resolve if you are just starting a TV-free life.
Stick on to your plan and gradually reduce TV watching. Soon your hobbies and interests will give you new meaning to life. You will be more fulfilled without television.
It is a hard struggle but keep trying. Let us Remember that television is not a requirement for living.
Please share your views and experiences with me.
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Excellent How To Guide on Getting rid of TV Addiction. Your observation is very much practical, Hari. TV is the biggest enemy for our creativity, and despite knowing this fact, we can’t get rid off it. Rather, that’s called an addiction.
Solutions you have provided truly are practical ones. I mean, those who are serious about get rid off their tv addiction (like myself!), now know HOW TO.
Job well done, Hari.
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A.Hari Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 9:45 am
Thanks Devang Vibakar for your views. I think we can add more value to Life even if we start by reducing our TV viewing by one hour every day.
A.Hari´s last blog ..Inspiring Story of 13 yr old Ethical Hacker
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cut on tv life on life, meanwhile there isnt much exiciting to watch on TV these days
Lalit´s last blog ..how to become a senior secondary recruits in indian navy?
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A.Hari Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Yes Lalit, I agree that there is nothing much worth watching but we are unable to avoid watching it. Imagine the amount of time we waste during ads. Ultimately we don’t have time for doing some essential work.
A.Hari´s last blog ..Inspiring Story of 13 yr old Ethical Hacker
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Nice article Hari. Another point you can add to this is never to have lunch or dinner while watching television. Many people tend to do this and lose out on valuable quality time where they can converse with one another or even concentrate on what they are eating.
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A.Hari Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Thanks Shail for commenting. TV is another big reason for obesity of children. No one watches about the quantity of food taken. It varies according to the programmes you are watching.
A.Hari´s last blog ..Inspiring Story of 13 yr old Ethical Hacker
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We should also think of banning one channel at a time. For example, if it’s about myself, I should ban watching Star Movies as I am very much fond of watching English movies. This way, channel by channel I can ultimately get liberated from the watching addiction.
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Shail Raghuvanshi Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 9:54 am
Devang, this is for you. I had composed a poem on TV addiction way back (yes, I am a poet too). Do read it and let me know.
http://indianblogworld.com/2009/10/addiction/
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Devang Vibhakar Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Oh! yeah, excellent one. Nice image too. Words do really depict the feelings of an addict.
Now I know, you’re a poet too. Wanting to explore more and more of your persona.
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A.Hari Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Nice little poem on my pet topic. Let us keep creating more awarenes on the need to atleast reduce TV viewing in our society.
A.Hari´s last blog ..Inspiring Story of 13 yr old Ethical Hacker
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Incidentally I don’t have any of these Dish connections or cable connections in my house. I can only watch Doordarshan channels. I use the TV only to view DVDs of my choice. People refuse to believe when I tell them I don’t have cable connectivity. Recently I bought a new TV, the person who came for installation was shocked to know this. He said what is the use of TV without connections,
Once I had a cable internet connection but without cable TV.
Interesting for you ppl I hope…
A.Hari´s last blog ..Inspiring Story of 13 yr old Ethical Hacker
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Very true. I fully agree. I spend 4 sessions of half an hour each per week.
Suresh Jani´s last blog ..હાદઝા
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A.Hari Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Thanks for your comment. Suresh ji.
A.Hari´s last blog ..Inspiring Story of 13 yr old Ethical Hacker
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I fully agree with this article.I want to share two recent research findings on excessive TV viewing:(1) On homes where there is excessive TV viewing, it has been found that small children takeabnormally longer time to learn speaking. (2) Keeping television in the bed room affects the sexual life of couples.It is due to the simple reason that they get tired due to excessive viewing of TV and go to sleep immediately thereafter.
Sathguru Jakki Vasudev (in the Tamil Book, “Ayiram Jannal” -vikatan Prasuram- written by Suba- One full chapter deals with TV viewing) also cautions the evil effects of excessive TV viewing.
These days, we are forced to spend little time only with our family members due to pre occupations.Swami Sugabodhanandha in one of his books (Tamil Book “Agame Relax Please”-published by Prasanna Trust-Bangalore) advises that the quality of time which is spent with our family members is more important than the quantity of time which is spent with our family members.It is obvious that we can pay 100% attention only when there is no diversion such as TV viewing.
Let us reduce unnecessary/excessive TV viewing to become more productive.
I thank Shri.A.Hari for publishing this useful article.I find it extremely useful for me.It is inspiring to know that he doesn’t have cable connection at his home.I am of the view that his family members also deserve appreciation because he can not lead a TV-free life at his home without the co-operation of his family members.
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A.Hari Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Thanks for additional inputs selvan. Such useful comments add more value to the article.
I will be happy if any one reader skips viewing atleast one show after reading this article.
A.Hari´s last blog ..Inspiring Story of 13 yr old Ethical Hacker
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T.R.Saravana Selvan Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
A supplement called “Pengal Malar” is supplied along with the Tamil Daily Dinamalar on Saturdays.Please refer page no.19 of Pengal Malar dated 06 th February 2010:
Question:”Who is the best woman in 2009 according to you?”
Answer: “all woman who has cut cable connection due to the reason that it affects the education of the children”
[Reply]
A.Hari Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 8:33 am
Thanks a lot selvan for info. I fully agree that the education of children is affected due to continued TV viewing. Several parents disconnect cable TV when children are studying in school final. TV viewing affects the health of parents also as it keeps them immobile for long periods. There are several scientific reports which prove the adverse health effects of TV viewing.
A.Hari´s last blog ..Inspiring Story of 13 yr old Ethical Hacker
Dear Hari..I fully agree with you, when you mention the negative effects of TV viewing on the psyche. But as with all technology, television is also value neutral. It depends on how and for what you use it for. There are ever so many programmes on the Discovery , and Natgeo channels that are really worth watching….The TV is just another wonderful source of information and knowledge in these cases……
It is when we descend to the Soap operas, Reality shows, and Test cricket/cricketers, and film gossip, that TV becomes a bane…
So Hari, lets not shoot the messenger if we dont like the message….
Praveen Kumar T
[Reply]
A.Hari Reply:
February 5th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Yes Praveen U R absolutely right. I am also aware of excellent informative channels as mentioned by you. But majority of TV viewing is confined to film, serials etc. I am not for a ban on TV viewing. What I am suggesting is a phased reduction in TV viewing time. A person may watch 4 to 6 hrs of TV per day. This may be reduced by one hour or half an hour. Try doing something else.
If u just note down the total time spent every day and review it after a week, u will realise how much time is being wasted.
Tell ur kids to read this article and let them share their views.
A.Hari´s last blog ..Inspiring Story of 13 yr old Ethical Hacker
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Devang Vibhakar Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 9:49 am
I was wondering why nobody has yet come up with another dimension on this issue. T Praveen Kumar makes the right point where just like A. Hari I too agree.
The problem lies in watching information-less, useless programs and channels. And this doesn’t go for all films. There are those films which are really inspiring ones, no harm in watching them, but there are those useless, garbage movies which not only kills your time, but also kills your energy that if had utilized somewhere else, would have produced more productive output.
As A. Hari says, we must think and act upon reducing hours of watching TV. I mean, I tried it yesterday night when I didn’t turn off tv and got hold of a good book. Aah! when I woke up in the morning, I was very much fresh.
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Sorry-I did not read your article-I was busy watching TV-
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A.Hari Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 8:53 am
Ha- Ha. This is really a good one. Atleast I succeeded in diverting your attentiion to make a comment. Thanks a lot Harnish. You have summed up in one line what I wanted to convey in my lengthy article.
A.Hari´s last blog ..Inspiring Story of 13 yr old Ethical Hacker
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Devang Vibhakar Reply:
February 6th, 2010 at 9:40 am
Harnishbhai, you’re always a charm to read. I mean, reading your books and comments is always pleasure giving.
How can you keep yourself so much full of fun?
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Refer: Page No.2 of “Young World” (a supplement to the English daily “The Hindu” on Tuesdays”)dated 09th February 2010:
Minimise your fears and maximise your performance.Here are some tips:
“………Cut down on the time you watch television………………..”
[Reply]
A.Hari Reply:
February 9th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Thanks selvan for valuable input. It is really nice to see there are supporters for this idea.
A.Hari´s last blog ..Inspiring Story of 13 yr old Ethical Hacker
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idiot box is really transforming everyone idiots..
reducing TV will help us do lotta productive things!!
…ceedee…´s last blog ..4th Idiot!!
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Thanks for your comment. Nice of you to comment even though u are quite busy.
A.Hari´s last blog ..Inspiring Story of 13 yr old Ethical Hacker
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