Hide the Remote

Couch potatoes of the world unite! Not to worry, they're probably too busy zoning out in front of the tube to make an impact on much of anything.

Results of a 30 year survey investigating individuals' happiness levels, which included 30,000 adult participants, noted that watching television may give immediate pleasure, but ultimately contributes to long-term dissatisfaction. Unhappy people, generally less connected to social supports and activities, watch 20% more TV, filling up their unwanted spare time (adding to the vicious circle of why they are unhappy).

On average, people (in the U.S., a bit less in Europe), spend 4-5 hours a day in front of the TV. By age 70, about fifteen years of life will be forfeited to channel surfing and watching the screen. What other things might be done or accomplished during that time?

• At the expense of REAL engagement - interacting with family and friends, sports, artistic endeavors, and intellectual pursuits stimulate and challenge the brain as opposed to an "activity" needing only passive "participation".

• Instant gratification –watching the telly requires no skills or effort and makes no demands; an understandable choice at the end of a hard day, but is there any enduring benefit?

• Whose reality is it - would the pull of reality shows or celebrity gossip programs be so mesmerizing if you were creating adventures, engaging in fun activities and expanding your own horizons?

• Addiction friction-has your allegiance to television (or the computer, etc.) caused rancor within relationships, with significant others in your life feeling your first (and lasting) love is electronic in nature?

• Vegging out – it's easy to eat (unhealthy) meals and snacks and drink in front of the TV, but the only exercise consists of lifting food from the hand to the mouth.

•Makes gratuitous violence acceptable and seemingly commonplace – additionally, those who watch a greater than average amount of television report feeling less safe and less trusting.

• Glorifies materialistic values – while being encouraged to want more, comparisons to inflated lifestyles portrayed on screen contribute to viewers' lower levels of happiness.

• What's the message – whether visitor or host, if Big Brother isn't turned off while conversing with others, whose input is deemed more important and interesting?

• Stymies mental development – this is particularly true for children's intellectual development; in seniors, incessant TV viewing hastens attention and memory problems.

• Create your own station break – try no TV for a week or two (or a month). At the end of that time, list the things you were able to accomplish (and enjoy), by not being a viewer. Did you really miss it?

And remember, taking action is the catalyst for change!