Most of us grew up believing that watching television was one of the unhealthiest ways we
could spend our time.
We were told that it rots our brains, that it ruins our eyesight, and that spending all day slouched
in front of the tube was terrible for our physical health…okay that last part might be true.
But, what your parents didn’t want you to know is that watching television can also be good for you.
“There are a lot of ways
to turn TV time into
healthy time.”
Watch Educational Shows
One of the benefits of subscribing to a cable or DIRECTV service (depending on what is available
in your area) is the access you gain to channels like Discovery, The History Channel, Biography,
Animal Planet, etc.
Watching shows that are educational in nature is a fantastic way to learn about subjects you might
not have thought to explore on your own.
It is also worth noting that there are some fantastic fictional and network shows out there that are
great introductions to science, government etc.
Madam Secretary, for example, is a fantastic way to begin learning about government (though,
obviously, you’ll want to enhance this with research of your own).
Watch Intriguing Shows
One of the best parts of Lost’s early seasons was that it really made the viewer think about what
was happening and to pay attention to the show–teensy clues were everywhere!
There are plenty of shows that are like this now.
How to Get Away With Murder, for example, requires the viewer to pay very close attention to
every episode.
Don’t Just Sit There
For some reason, most people seem to think that, in order to watch TV, they have to resign themselves
to a passive and sedentary experience.
This is absolutely not true!
Instead of “slothing out” while you watch television, get in a quick workout!
There are a lot of workouts that you can do in front of your television set that don’t require any equipment.
Or, set up your treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike, etc in front of the set to get in some cardio while you watch.
For people who are incredibly busy and for those who hate exercise, this is a fantastic way to get up and moving
because it combines two activities (which saves time) and helps make the activity you might hate (exercise)
with something you enjoy (binge-watching your favorite shows).
Heck, even simply standing or walking in place while you watch is better for you than simply slouching on
the couch!
Hobby Time
Television can also provide fantastic background noise while you work on a favorite hobby,
like coloring, knitting, drawing, etc.
Taking the time to indulge in your favorite show while also actively practicing self-care is
a really good way to help center yourself and take care of yourself emotionally.
Get Creative
Speaking of hobbies, television can be a fantastic source of inspiration.
You might get an idea for how to solve a problem at work or be inspired to start your own project.
Heck, even writing fan fiction is a great way to put the inspiration you feel while watching a favorite show
to good use.
And no, no matter what anybody says, writing fan fiction is not lame.
In fact, it can be a pretty lucrative career.
Just ask Stephanie Meyer or E.L. James!
Choose Better Snacks
Who says that the only food you can eat in front of the tube is junk food?
If you’re going to be snacking, why not make the snack something healthy and good for you?
For example, roasted chickpeas (garbanzo beans) are a fantastic and healthy alternative to potato chips.
Fruit is better for you than candy; veggies are good (but maybe go for hummus instead of the ranch dip).
There are a lot of great snacks and foods you can make to help curb your hunger while you binge your
favorite shows.
Socialization
Movie nights are a great way to spend time with friends.
Another great way to get in some socializing is to have friends over to watch shows regularly.
For instance, if you all love all things ShondaLand, get together in someone’s house each week to
watch the latest adventures of Meredith, Olivia, and Wes and the gang.
Socializing is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and having everyone over is a fantastic way
to socialize on a budget.
The fact is that there are a lot of ways to turn TV time into healthy time.
And, in spite of what you’ve been told, if you are mindful about how you watch TV as well as
what you watch, it can be a perfectly healthy way to spend an evening or a weekend.
Are you a TV watcher?
What are your favorite ways to turn TV time into healthy time?
Share your thoughts and comments with us.
You made some valid points. You can’t blame the TV for the snacks you choose, although the commercials do tend to make you hungry.
I myself have never been into the television, I use it to lull me to sleep or as background noise while I do crafts. TV can really be a comforting background noise and it does not need to take over your life. Television like most other things is fine in moderation. Its part of life not a replacement for having a life.
Thank you for your well thought out post.