Are You A Television Addict

Nobody is comfortable with admitting to an addiction. Addiction is not a wrong thing, when you are addicted to the right things  things that move you towards your desired goals, like being addicted to exercising at least one hour a day. If you keep doing a certain activity every blessed day, then it becomes a habit, a cousin to addiction. The issue becomes  what are you addicted to? (cannot seem to do without?)Could one of your favorite pastimes  watching television  be an addiction? Not only is the sedentary nature of watching television partly responsible for fattening the country — 33% of the population is overweight — some experts contend it meets the official psychiatric criteria for unhealthy dependence. 

Apart from the sedentary nature of watching TV, often times, you need something to go along with it  ice cream, cookies, snacks, pop corn, a bottle of soda  you name it. The average person spends 4½ hours/day in front of the tube — behavior that Rutgers University psychologist Robert Kubey says mirrors symptoms typical of substance abuse. For many, 6 hours a day is typical.But even if TV isn’t an electronic drug for you, it can have negative effects on your health and that of your kids — studies suggest excessive viewing causes academic problems, hyperactivity, aggression, and poor attention among today’s youth.You can wean from the TV addiction with these tips:Turn off the TV for a week. Most schools sponsor family activities like story time, game nights, and concerts that encourage a week away from the box.Remove TVs from bedrooms. Like any temptation, if it’s unavailable you’re less likely to partake. And you’ll notice a better night’s sleep without the screen’s flicker flashing through your mind before you drift off.Scale back channel surfing by allowing each family member to select 1 show a week. Keep the set off otherwise, especially during dinner — the distracting background diminishes personal connections you can make.Develop a reading habit. Reach for a book  especially the self improvement variety  rather than your prized remote control. Apart from growing as a person and a leader as you inculcate the reading habit, reading helps in improving your ability to go to sleep, and to have a deep and restfull sleep.