How to Watch TV (2)

How to Watch TV (2) The second in a series. (Browse titles for other installments.)

Watch less. This may seem like a simplistic suggestion, but it is meant seriously. Too much time in front of the television is not conducive to healthy growth. My introduction to this topic suggested several reasons why a person, particularly a Christian, should consider reducing or at least reevaluating the amount of time spent watching TV. The reasons to go on a TV diet range from effects on one’s physical health to serious modifications to a person’s behavior. This installment will deal with the physical aspects.

First, every human’s available time is limited to twenty-four hours per day. Since most adults have responsibilities which consume large portions of that allotment, controlling the way the remaining time is spent becomes more significant. Immediately after pointing to the Old Testament call to, “Awake, you who sleep,” The Apostle Paul recommends “redeeming the time” because the days are evil. I cannot think of a more apt 21^st century demonstration of what it might mean to “sleep” than what happens to the human mind watching television. Nor can I imagine a more concentrated dose of “evil” than what is presented by most television programming. Paul also admonished believers to “set your minds on things above, not on things on the earth.” What is more earthly than today’s television programming?

What this suggests to me is that being careful to use one’s time wisely would have to include being more intentional about what gets put on the TV screen as well as how much time is spent in front of it. By default, one hour of TV burns one precious hour that could be spent in other more worthwhile pursuits. George Barna’s research from 2011 showed that only 41% of young adults (aged 30-50yrs.) read the Bible outside of church. 60% of this group nonetheless claims to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, 37% claiming to be born again. True, only 35% believe the Bible is totally accurate, but one wonders if that might be in part because they don’t know what it says having not read it regularly.

Besides replacing TV viewing with reading the Bible, one might also read other wholesome literature. If maintaining a reading schedule is difficult, one can enlist the aid of other like-minded souls. I attend a lunch meeting with several friends who have joined in the reading of five books in the last couple years. I am sure neither I nor my buddies would have read those books without the inducement and cordial accountability of our weekly meetings. Even if we don’t discuss the book much some weeks, we have developed meaningful relationships over time; that too bears rewards.

Those who still have children at home or just need more quality time (which TV time is not) with a spouse, might consider the introduction of table games as an alternative. There are many newer games that are not only fun to play, but they also build relationships, stimulate meaningful interaction and broaden one’s knowledge. Even the old standbys like Monopoly, Scrabble or Battleship can be a worthy substitute for that umpteenth crime drama. The downside of this alternative is that one is still sitting on one’s backside.

Probably the best thing a person could do to replace TV from a health standpoint is go for a walk (or a jog if so inclined.) Not everyone is as fortunate as I to live next door to a nature preserve with walking trails aplenty. Many communities are developing safe and attractive places to stretch the legs. Even a trip to the mall can become a work-out session if so chosen. Some even open early for just that purpose. If one is not a morning person, that prime time TV hour could be spent strolling the promenade at the mall instead of learning whodunit for the third time this week.

There are even ways to make the time spent bathed in the photon stream of the TV more profitable. First, though advertisers will hate this suggestion, I recommend pre-recording virtually everything. This allows a one hour drama, for example, to be viewed in about forty-five minutes. Bam! Fifteen minutes “gained.” The other benefit DVR-ing provides is the coordination with one’s schedule. It is not necessary to stay up until 11 pm to catch that favorite show; it can be recorded tonight and watched tomorrow in an earlier time slot. What I am aiming at here is getting to bed earlier so that I can get up early and still be rested. I want to get up early because I have an appointment with a couple free weights and a cup of coffee with my prayer journal.

If recording is not an option, just sitting there like a lump should be avoided; do something. During the commercials (here I go making enemies again,) one can get up and walk. In a multi-level home, the stairs will multiply the work done during the commercial break. A little research will uncover several healthy isometric or free-weight exercises that can be done while watching as well. Something as simple as standing frequently and stretching can rescue TV watching from the list of totally unhealthy activities.

My personal goal is to watch less, as previously recommended. I don’t want to get to my heavenly mansion (where I don’t expect a TV, by the way) and be shown all the heavenly things I could have accomplished on earth if I had not spent so much time glued to the box. My next installment will offer some ways to for believers to apply Jesus’ injunction to “watch and pray” to television watching. Stay tuned.