How To Curb The TV Habit In 3 Easy Steps

How many of us crash in front of the TV after we come home from work or in the evening during prime time? How many water cooler conversations at work the next morning are centered on what we saw on a television program the night before? Since the evolution of the television, we have only fallen all the more victim to its soft, inviting glow. While many become defensive and claim that there is no harm in watching television, fact of the matter is that television is “entertainment”. What's entertainment's purpose? To distract us from the realities of life. Though a mental vacation certainly is needed from time to time, television does not help us further develop our cognitive abilities nor our curiosity. Rather it leaves us lazy and apathetic. A television addiction is a serious problem; so how can you break the habit?

Step One: Identify your TV-viewing habits and replace them with something else

Monitor yourself for the next few days and think about when you turn on the television and why you may be doing so. Many people decide to watch television to “relax” after a hard day. Some also use it as a tool to make them tired enough to go to bed. Even more people watch it because, well, there's nothing else to do!

If your goal is to unwind after a hard day try grabbing the newest best seller, a magazine related to a hobby or area of interest, or put on some music and lay on the couch. If you're trying to get yourself to go to sleep, try exercising a few hours before your regular bedtime to help your body completely unwind. If you're bored, there are all too many TV replacements for me to even list!

Step Two: If you have to have a TV, keep it to just one

That's right, no televisions in the kitchen, the kids' bedrooms, or even YOUR bedroom. Limit the amount of televisions in the house to one, and try to place it in a spot that isn't easily accessible if possible (i.e. the basement).

Feel free to unplug the television when ever you may feel tempted to grab the remote or throw a blanket over it. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Step Three: Save on your Cable Bill

Know what the best way to save on your cable bill is? No, it's not switching providers or using a bundle service. It's canceling it all together! For many people, they cannot even get any of the basic stations without purchasing a cable box, so there is no reason to be tempted. I'm sure you can think of many other things - BETTER things - you can use that $50-$100 a month on rather than television.

photo by Bartlomiej Stroinski