Why You Should Turn Off the Television

Work and family life today has everyone running at a million miles an hour - so when free time presents itself, the most likely spot we go to relax is the television. But is that really the best option? It is certainly the easiest, but are there other options that are equally, if not more relaxing.

On a personal note I was in a situation where my television died, and I did not have the money to replace it. Essentially, I was forced to find other options to use to relax. Honestly, it was one of the best things that ever happened. It forced me to unplug from the media that seems to be everywhere. In fact after a week, I was in no hurry to replace it - and didn't for a year and a half. So why should you unplug?

Just because you are sitting in front of the television in your free time to relax doesn't mean you actually are relaxing. You may be watching your favorite show or movie but often you are still dwelling on issues that you were facing during the day. In other words the television is only providing a distraction that may not work, and you really may not be relaxing at all.

Here are the top 10 reasons to turn off your television:

1. You aren't really relaxing when you are watching TV, part of your brain will still be focused on the days events

2. By doing something other than watching TV you actively refocus the brains thought process and activity

3. You forget what your hobbies and passions are

4. You can discover a new hobby or interest

5. Sometimes your home can be a source of stress - by watching TV you are staying in a stressful environment and not removing yourself from it

6. Your mind is not actively stimulated - which will eventually impact its processes such as memory

7. You can learn and retain more by reading books or doing research

8. Going for a walk or starting to exercise can bring more relaxation (and health benefits) than sitting in front of the television

9. You can volunteer to help in a community event - you will be helping others, and you will feel good about what you are doing

10. The media constantly saturates us with information, use your time to escape the information overload

When you turn off the television and indulge in a hobby, you are forced to redirect your though processes and focus on what you are working on. And sometimes relying on your television may make you forget what your hobbies even are. You make be watching people do your favorite activities, but you aren't actually doing them. Think about this for a second - what are your favorite hobbies, and what are you passionate about? Chances are you had to think about it. Maybe you don't even know anymore. Unplugging from the television will allow you to rediscover yourself, your hobbies and your passions in life.

Also, television does not actively engage the thought process. So you may be watching something educational, but did it benefit you or did it make you want to learn more? Now think back to when you read books, poetry, or actively wrote anything. These activities stimulated your thought processes and memory - making you want to learn more. When you participated in these activities you probably retained more information as well.

So take a moment and turn off the TV. You have everything to gain, an nothing to loose - after all the TV will always be there when you get back.