Jugglezine - Wrestling with Television

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Wrestling with Television
How to get a grip on how much you watch
TEXT BY MELANIE BOWDEN ILLUSTRATION BY JULIETTE BORDA NOVEMBER 1, 2002



Be honest: How many hours a day do you spend in front of either the TV or the computer, surfing the Internet? (Choose one)
	Less than an hour
	1 - 2 hours
	2 - 3 hours
	More than three hours




Agree? Disagree? Stop sounding off to your computer screen! Instead, share your point of view on this subject with our readers.

When I became engaged to another teacher at the same high school, one of our mutual students rushed up to me. He said, "Ms Bowden, are you sure you want to marry him? You know, he doesn't have a TV."

Why does TV have such a confusing power over us? A February 2002 Scientific American article on TV habits stated, "Most people admit to having a love-hate relationship with it (the TV.) They complain about the 'boob tube' and 'couch potatoes,' then they settle into their sofas and grab the remote control."

According to Nielsen Media Research, on average, American adults spend four hours a day in front of the TV. Over a lifetime, that's more than nine years. Yet, we love to complain that we don't have time for the things we really want to do. Hmmm.

Why TV pulls us in

According to Frank Vespe, Executive Director of TV-Turnoff Network, there are two reasons we end up watching more TV than we know we should. "People think they need it and it's easy," Vespe says.

We usually don't realize how many hours we're watching television. Since it's a passive activity, with feelings of lowered alertness continuing even after the set is off, watchers typically find their energy and concentration are low. Inertia sets in. Hence, there is no motivation to get up and do something else once you're planted on the couch.

When you think about other activities (sex, sleep, playing with your kids, hobbies) that you're giving up by watching television, it can be an eye-opener. Julie Morgenstern, the author of, Time Management from the Inside Out, has found in her work as a professional organizer that TV and e-mail are the biggest time suckers.

"You need to step back and look at your big picture goals," she says. "What activities fit into your goals regarding family, career, friendship? You may find that watching TV does fit in--maybe discussing a particular program with your kids helps in developing that relationship. It just needs to be a conscious choice that connects with your values."

Morgenstern suggests you keep a TV journal for a week and also use a technique called time mapping. A time map is a visual diagram of your schedule. On a calendar, block out time for different activities and see if TV fits in.

After a week, analyze your relationship to TV and the other tasks you want to do. Some questions to ask yourself: "What's the value of TV watching?, What am I getting out of it?, and What would I rather be doing?"

Don't make it easy to be a potato

Instead of being a passive watcher, Morgenstern advises a more proactive approach. "Fill your time with things you cherish," she says. "You should have a plan in place for your time and don't watch beyond what you've planned. When your show is over, turn the TV off."

There are also ways to make TV watching harder. Most of us arrange our living room furniture around the TV. Kathy Fetsko Petrie, a writer and mother of three who watches less than a half hour a day, suggests you put the TV away in a cabinet, a back room, or the basement. Then arrange your couches and chairs for conversation and reading. If your TV is too big to move, you can remove the batteries from your remote so that channel surfing must be done manually.

Keep a list of alternate activities taped to the TV as a reminder. The TV-Turnoff website lists screen-free suggestions like starting a garden, looking at the stars, or going to a bookstore as options.

Homeschooling mom Tracy Simmons limits her TV watching to about six hours a week. She selects two or three shows at the beginning of the season to watch with her family and sticks to that schedule. She also folds laundry or exercises during TV time to make watching more of a chore.

Benefits of less TV

Vespe suggests you try life without TV for a week or less and see how you feel. Every spring during TV-Turnoff Week (the next one is April 21-27, 2003) thousands of people give this a try and often find they prefer watching less. Vespe says, "The first few days can be rough, but, after that initial period, people find freedom. They get more things done and that makes them happier."

You may see TV watching as a way to decompress after your day. Since studies have shown that watching television doesn't lower your stress level, and in fact may increase it, you're better off trying other activities. Could you do something that is more relaxing like yoga, reading, or listening to music?

Watching less TV may also improve your relationships. When law school student Kathy Sherman realized that TV time had a negative impact on the intimacy level of her marriage, she dropped all TV watching temporarily. "As my marriage improved," she says, "it never seemed appealing to go back to watching TV rather than spending time with my husband." After 17 months of no TV, she saw a popular TV drama recently and found it a waste of her time. She says, "I've had no desire to watch TV since."

A conscious change

My husband (yes, I did marry him despite that student's warning) and I do own a TV, and I'm working on being more aware of my viewing habits. Now, before I pick up the remote, I ask myself, "Is this what I really want to be doing?" Often I come up with better options and the ON button doesn't get pushed. After all, I doubt on my deathbed I'll regret that I didn't watch more TV.

Melanie Bowden has previously written for Jugglezine about housework and sleep. Her time map includes "That 70s Show" because it fits her big picture goal of laughing her head off whenever possible.

Reactions to "Wrestling with Television"

Helps tremendously to work second shift (3-11:30 p.m. for me) regarding not watching so much TV. Plus not having cable TV for years - I truly don't miss it at all. And I'm not even tempted to turn the darn thing on in the daytime - well, hardly ever; I will flip it on for a bit to get the news at noon. And okay, I will flip it on, on my nights off to see a public TV program. My extended family think I'm hopelessly backward because I have no desire whatsoever to have one of those big-screen ones. I find I'd rather flip on the local classical radio station every morning.

Cindy M

It's amazing how much time people waste looking at something that is constantly telling them they're too fat, not driving the right car, eating the wrong things, wearing the wrong things, not 'up' on the latest gossip...
I got rid of my tv in 94, and people started asking me how I had so much time to do all the things I do.. hm.
As a time management trainer and organizer, getting people to put the tv away is one of the biggest challenges. What I always ask my clients to do is ask themselves, when they finally do turn it off after watching all evening, what they got out of that experience. The thing is, even for entertainment, it's not that great.
See you outside,
Tys

Tys
consultant, www.ideamountain.com

Television != Living

Cancel your cable service. There's nothing like 4 channels of static to make you appreciate 4 hours of your evening. Pick up a book. Marvel at the experience of creating your own visual sensations within your mind. Get excited when you don't lose 1 hour of your evening gazing at the television instead of talking with your spouse. Go for a walk. Feel the oxygen move into your lungs while your muscles stretch and collapse, moving you across x, y, and z planes. Call an old friend. Write a letter to a grandparent.

Jason Tselentis
Student, Univ. of WA

I agree TV is a time waster, I voted that I spend 3 or more hours on the computer; I don't own a television.

kamau
DesigNer, AKdesignstudio.com

Jas, I disagree. If had TIVO I'm sure I would watch MORE TV, not less. Right now if I miss one of my favorite shows, then I miss it--and the time has been better spent anyway.

Christine MacLean
Editor, Jugglezine, Content Studio

One Word...TIVO

Jas Bart
I Love TIVO, DTA

When I was in grade 6 my parents and I decided to try an experiment similar to one we'd seen done by another family. I'd stop watching TV for a year and they'd pay me $500. Within weeks I found I didn't even care about what I was missing. I went from a C- student to an A+ student within months. 'Nuff said!

Allison Young
Graphic designer

Your message
Well, my wife has been telling me that I'm a slave to the Tube for years. However, an interesting development occurred recently that has had a significant effect on my viewing habits. I work at the local morning newspaper, and in August I was moved to the afternoon shift when all deadlines for the morning editions are done. Now, I get home well after midnight, so any primetime "relationships" I once had are gone (I never learned how to program my VCR). Daytime TV has always been a barren wasteland, except for Sportcenter, and after watching that a couple of times, my TV watching is pretty much done. And, I don't really feel like I'm missing all that much. Of course, if I could just get someone reliable to fill me in on the latest happenings on '24' I'd be much obliged.

harrison
Graphic designer, solid design by harrison prince

tv ...? ... i can't get off the internet when i'm home ... sometimes i watch tv to relieve my screen watching watching ....

somebody help me !!!!

rejina

My wife and I used to run around and set up the VCR to taped the shows we were missing and tape shows that were on the same time as other shows on other networks. It was running us ragged and we never had time to do anything we were always watching TV.

We said no longer will we let TV rule our life. If we are out doing something we don't rush home to see a show. If we miss one no big deal.

It is a small step but we are slowly cutting back on our TV and enjoying life a little more.

Warren
Art Director, Media Design

My son and husband are sports junkies. That's OK sometimes, but I'd rather read a book.

Kay Scott

I actually find e-mail and web-surfing to be more compelling distractions than TV. We've never had cable, and the standard network fare is really not tempting to me. On the other hand, I can sit down to check my e-mail and realize an hour later that I've fallen into a time hole.

Edith Pierce
Manager-Type, Manufacturing Company

My partner and I turned off our TV in 1991 and have NEVER regretted it. It is one of THE best and EASIEST things you can do to improve your life. With all the garbage out there you will feel cleansed knowing you've never endured a single moment of "Temptation Island."

Matt McCormick
Graphic Designer, Corbin Design

Couldn't agree more! I stopped watching TV for about six months, and realized I was not misssing a thing! Also, I suggest cancelling cable service. It worked for me. However, email is still an issue. Once I turn the computer on, I find myself hooked for at least a couple of hours. My friends and I prefer cyber-chat over the landline. Now, this is a challenge. Any suggestions?

Rocio Juarez
Mail Clerk, United States Postal Service

This is a thoughtful, well-written article. I already limit my TV watching time, but now I'll think about using the time when I do watch more effectively (i.e., chores or exercise while watching) instead of snacking. Thanks!

Noreen Stavinoha
Individual, None

when i first answered the question above, i misread it as asking how much time i watch tv daily and i proudly responded 1-2 hours and then looked more closely at the question.

i knew i had to go back and answer again because daily i spend more time online than watching tv. it takes up time that i should be working more productively or doing homework. thanks for the eye opener!

stacey
full time student

Great! Very timely (no pun intended)...

Ira Janowitz







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