| Looking for more time? Glance no further than | | | | - Log the habit. How do you stack up against the |
| the TV. The latest research on television viewing | | | | national averages? Only one way to really know, |
| demonstrates that the average American | | | | and that is to write down your TV time for one |
| watches 1,669 hours of the tube each year. That | | | | week. Is there a pattern? You may find that you |
| is about 70 days per year according to the | | | | are watching a lot more than you realized. |
| Statistical Abstract of the United States. | | | | - Start with a "no-TV" night one or two nights per |
| That's right, 10 weeks per year; watching | | | | week. No TV, zip, zilch. Go for a walk, bring out |
| television. The study does not include all the hours | | | | some games to play with the kids, or read a |
| the TV is simply in the background adding to the | | | | book. At first, you may see a family of "zombies" |
| noise pollution. It's direct viewing time. Mind | | | | as they wander aimlessly unplugged from one |
| numbing time watching re-runs, reality TV and | | | | activity to another. But you will be amazed how |
| commercials. | | | | quickly everyone adjusts to other activities. |
| This is time you never get back. These are hours | | | | - Take a class. Any class. It can be one that gives |
| that could be used to learn something new, be | | | | you additional skills to advance your career, or |
| with your kids, exercise and weight train, give | | | | one that broadens your interests. A literature |
| back to community, or read a book. For that | | | | review, a foreign language or simply relaxing |
| matter, you could write a book. It is hours for | | | | making pottery will do more for you than |
| tennis, golf, travel, hobbies and sports. Or here's | | | | watching folks with minimal talent compete on |
| an idea, time to do something that makes you | | | | American Idol. |
| money. I never receive checks from the | | | | - Organize a project. This can be with other |
| television stations for watching re-runs of MASH | | | | family members or by yourself. It can include |
| or Seinfield. In fact, I rarely even remember the | | | | cooking, baking, household chores, working |
| next day anything I watched the night before. | | | | outside, building something, painting, crafts, quilting, |
| TV has a hypnotic effect on people. A passive | | | | etc. Think about the best days you have. |
| activity, it doesn't require any interaction or much | | | | Chances are good that they are days you were |
| thinking. It makes folks feel lethargic, lazy and dull. | | | | able to complete your 'to do' list. |
| I can't prove it, but I think TV dumbs me down. | | | | - Identify a replacement goal. What do you plan |
| When I watch more than hour or so of TV, I | | | | to do with all your "new" time? This is a great |
| lose my momentum and drive. I don't feel like | | | | opportunity to focus on something you have been |
| starting projects or working on anything that | | | | "meaning" to do but never had the time to |
| takes too much effort. All I feel like doing is | | | | accomplish. It could be that garden or reading the |
| watching more TV and maybe opening up a bag | | | | classics. You may try that sailing class you have |
| of chips, preferably with some dip to go with it. | | | | talked about for the last ten years. |
| Is watching TV all bad? Of course not. It provides | | | | Time is the most important non-renewable |
| entertainment and a diversion. It can be an | | | | resource we have. Don't lose a fifth of your life |
| excellent way to relax a bit after a busy day. But | | | | doing nothing. |
| we aren't reaching 10 weeks per year with just a | | | | Copyright 2005 by Barbara Bartlein. All Rights |
| little viewing. The TV habit can interfere with living | | | | Reserved. |
| a life. So how do you wean off the tube? | | | | |