Recently, I traveled back to Canada to visit my parents. Since I don’t watch TV at home, I decided I would indulge my senses and watch a little. I thought, Hey, you’re on vacation. Relax, let it loose, and watch all those shows you miss out on. At the end of two weeks, I was an addict. I sat and watched so many random shows that I’m embarrassed just thinking about it.
Coming from a life where the TV is never on, I found that the change in me was swift and noticeable. My daily routine went something like this: sleep in, lazily walk into the kitchen looking for food, turn on the TV to see what’s on while I eat, watch TV for several hours, spend some time with my family, eventually return to the TV, and watch for several more hours. At the end, I felt so drained and tired. Even knowing how it made me feel, I continued to repeat this each day until the day I left, like I was under a magical spell.
Perhaps you can relate to how TV has the ability to grab a hold of us. I wanted to understand: why do we keep turning the TV on? How does one overcome TV addiction? Well, pleading with myself to stop watching these silly shows didn’t work. I needed more motivation. These strategies and tips are what I eventually used to help me conquer my recent TV addiction.
1. Focus on Your Food When Eating
It’s so tempting to turn on the TV while we eat. We tell ourselves, “I’m gonna be eating and doing nothing else. Might as well be entertained as I eat.” But before we know it, we’ll end up spending more time than necessary in front of the television, and not really tasting or enjoying our food. Also, I tend to overeat when I’m distracted, which leaves me feeling bloated and lazy.
Next time you eat, try fully focusing on the wonderful aromas and flavors in your food and on nothing else. Concentrate on the taste and texture of your food. Feel it giving you energy as you eat. This is actually a form of meditation that can center you. Try it!
2. Break Old Routines
If your habit is to turn on the TV immediately after you come home, then try changing your routine to break the habit. What can you do for ten minutes after coming home instead of flicking on the TV? Connect with a friend? Read an inspirational story? Have a snack? Get exercise? Do some yoga or meditation?
3. Plan Your Escape Route
Before turning on the TV for a specific show, know exactly what you’re going to do after the show. It helps to write the task out on paper along with reasons why you should do this task. For example, “After watching The Amazing Race at 9 p.m., I’ll go out for a run because it makes me feel healthy and gives me energy.”
