April 23, 2007
April 23 to 29 marks National TV Turnoff Week 2007. Did you know that the average American family in 2006 watched four hours and 35 minutes of television a day (Source: Nielson)? That means plopping yourself in front of the TV every evening at 7 pm and watching until 11:35 pm.
Now, I’m not here to give you all kinds of facts and figures trying to prove to you that TV rots your brains and is at least partially responsible for the violence in society, the obesity epidemic and on and on and on.
Personally, I enjoy some TV here and there. When my daughter was three months old she finally showed an interest in Baby Einstein videos. Every morning after breakfast, we would “read the paper” together – she with her Baby Einstein video and me with my newspaper and coffee. I’m not too proud to admit that that I needed that time. In fact, there were many mornings when I lamented the fact that those videos were only a measly 24 minutes long.
So, while turning off the TV for a week is a great idea in theory, the reality is that TV can provide a nice (and needed) break as long as it is used in moderation. As a coach, my goal is to encourage you to be more mindful of what you’re doing. Do you plop yourself down in front of the TV every evening simply because it’s a habit and you do it without thinking? What other activities could you be doing if you weren’t watching TV?
In an amazing coincidence, National TV Turnoff Week coincides with
Manitoba’s Reading Week! What kind of alignment of the planets has to occur for that to happen?!?
So, in honour of National TV Turnoff Week and Manitoba Reading Week I challenge you to turn off the TV for a few extra hours this week and notice how you feel. Take a walk, read a book or play a board game with your kids.
Try something new.
Until the next chapter,Lisa
