LifeStyle
Opening the Doors to Healthier and Stress-Free Living
A Column by Alice Abbott-Moore,Content Access/Information Delivery Teams, Ekstrom Library
Turn
off the Tube!
How many of us go home at night and watch TV for the duration of the evening? Are any tasks put aside as we opt to view some shows? While some of us are selective about what we watch, others just have the TV on as background noise.
I am not a big TV watcher, but I won’t say that I never turn on the tube. Once a week I watch five of my “favorite shows” back-to-back. So, I view TV at least for three hours a week. Occasionally, I am able to catch a movie. Since I am on the run quite a bit, I do not really get the chance to watch TV the rest of the week unless it is really late at night. Until the recent programming schedule change, there were two shows late at night that I would “unwind” to. Since both of the shows are no longer on late, I do not watch much TV until the night of my five favorite shows.
Watching too much TV can cause health problems. It promotes a sedentary nature and can cause eyestrain and procrastination. While I believe turning off the TV is a good thing, many see the TV as “their friend.” As with many things, moderation is the healthiest approach.
To cut down on watching TV, be selective on what you watch and then turn it off. When the TV is off, be sure to have plenty of alternative things to do—particularly if children are involved. There is no point in turning off the TV when the only alternative forms of entertainment are listening to the radio or playing on the computer (Mozes).
Consider these strategies in setting up and maintaining new rules about TV:
· No TV during meals.
- Imagine how stimulating life without TV could become.
- Continue experimenting with small steps toward creating a lively family culture.
- Spend time developing other interests and hobbies such as art, music, sports, etc.
- View more critically. Decide ahead of time what you and your children will watch.
- Evaluate and discuss programs, and engage in follow-up activities with books, conversations, and making things together.
The following are some alternative activities:
- Going for walks and hiking
- Bike rides
- Crafts
- Reading (alone and aloud to others)
- Cooking and baking
- Homework
- Card games
- Talking and being with loved ones
- Cleaning and performing other needed tasks around the house
- Letter writing
- Pet care
- Reading
- Visiting other family members and friends
- Spending quiet time alone
Sources:
Mozes, A. “To Get Obese kids to exercise, turn off the TV”
http://www.medformation.com/mf/news.nsf/ReutersNews/To_get_obese_kids_to_exercise_turn_off_the_TV
“Turning Off the Tube.”
http://fatherhood.miningco.com/parenting/fatherhood/library/weekly/aa031698a.htm