Turn Off The Tube – How To Overcome Television Addiction

Almost half of the average person’s leisure time is spent watching television (roughly three hours per day), with television addicts spending eight or more hours in front of the television each day.

When the television goes out, people with serious television addiction suffer from withdrawal and anxiety until the TV is working again. Research has shown that television viewing works on the brain much like a tranquilizer, causing drowsiness. However, prolonged viewing can lead to depression and isolation as the television takes up more time than other activities.

Here are some steps to break a television addiction.

First, examine your own television viewing habits. Keep track of how much time you spend watching TV. A good idea is to track all television viewing for one average week (don’t do this on a vacation or holiday week when you are at home more, since this will not give you an accurate estimate of your normal television viewing). Make a list of the other activities you do during the week as well (especially fun activities that do not include watching television). After that week is done, look at your list and see how much of your time is spent in front of the television.

Next, make a list of fun activities you can do that doesn’t involve television. List the things you used to do such as sports, reading, games, puzzles, and other activities.

Set a limit on how much television you are going to watch. This is a very important step in overcoming television addiction. Start out with small steps. For example, if you are watching four hours of television each day, try to substitute another activity in one of those hours in the first one to two weeks. Look at the first week you recorded your television viewing and use this to help determine when and what you will cut from your viewing schedule.

When looking at alternative activities for that first 30 minutes to an hour you are cutting out each day in your television viewing, add a physical activity such as walking or yoga. This will not only help you stay focused on avoiding the television, but will also help you become more physically fit.

After two weeks of cutting out 30 minutes to an hour of television viewing, look at your record again and cut out an additional 30 minutes to an hour. In other words, double the amount of time you are cutting out of your television viewing in your continued efforts to overcome television addiction.

Add another fun activity that does not include TV viewing, such as playing a board game, taking courses at the local community college, or learning a new skill. This is also a great way to include some wonderful family time where you and your spouse and children can play games or talk over important issues. You can use this time to prepare family meals and sit down at the family table. Also, make sure that the TV is off during meals as this will give you time to not only concentrate on how many calories you are consuming, but also on the others at the table.

There are a number of ways to beat your television addiction. By taking small steps in the beginning, you can break the television’s hold over your day, time and activities. By breaking your television addiction, you will be happier, healthier and more in charge of your days.