TV Programmes

Hi Natasha

Oh, I think it has a lot more to answer for than we can imagine! How much more would people do if they didn't have TV? How many interesting an satisfying hobbies would they develop to avoid boredom (which is a powerful motivator). How much better would their sleep and anxiety levels be if they weren't constantly stimulated by program makers who know they have to trigger our reorientation response to keep us interested?

I could go on...

But I won't. It's Sunday after all, and the antiques roadshow is on later

Roger

Natasha,

I think you have hit it right on the head -- it is nearly impossible to live up to the ideals shown to us in the mass media. Not only that, magazine photos are digitally altered so even the models, who make a living looking good and have shoals of hair and makeup artists, don't really look like that!

Life is just not as easy as it looks on those shows you mention. Even when things go wrong there is dramatic music or it gets resolved in an hour or maybe next week.

I've reduced my tv watching dramatically and it really helps in my opinion. Not only am I not "surrounded" by perfect people, I'm not bombarded by ads screaming at me to buy this, buy that to be happy.

Take a look at this: The Beautiful People Syndrome or just got to turnoffyourtv.com.

I'm not saying all tv is useless, but in my view very little of it is.

Antiques roadshow! Now there's ONE programme worth watching! I love it! Otherwise, i think you're right, Natasha - many of these programmes seem designed to make you feel a failure! But don't succumb to the propaganda!

When you think of it, there are interesting metaphors in Antiques Roadshow. It's telling you that you have resources which may be a great deal more valuable than you realise. And also that you are attributing too much value to what is really rubbish!

Kathleen

Hi Natasha,

I may be showing my age here, but do you remember the 70's/80's kids TV show "Why Don't You?" and it's opening titles which showed kids kicking their TV and going out and "doing something less boring instead"? When I get the urge to switch on the TV, the theme tune to this show often pops up and I'll read a book, take the dogs out, do some gardening, phone a friend, have a bath....anything else really!

Watching TV becomes a habit and you need something to break the habit. An unusual way to break a habit is to wear an elastic band on your wrist and "ping" it when you start to do the habit e.g. when you reach for the remote control. The pain will remind you that you might be better doing something else instead!

I myself have problems with going out and not having no friends and being overwieght

Here's a motivation for turning off your TV. A study of children found that they burn more energy staring at a blank wall than staring at the TV..... So even if you switched off the TV and remained on the sofa you will be burning more calories!

It's a double win because you burn more calories, and have more time to go out.

Scary as the thought might be, you need to actively boost your social life. What would your TV soap characters do in your situation? Think about what you like doing and see if there is anyone else out there who likes doing it too. Maybe consider doing some volunteer work in your spare time - most of us can find an hour or so a week to put to better use. Although you may not meet life long friends, it will get you out the house and get some attention needs met (which we all have!)

Keep posting Natasha - being on the PC is better than watching TV!

Lyndsay

Hi Lyndsay

I too remember Why Dont You , I only wish I could get out more and do other things, but everything is too much effort and frightening the only place I feel safe is in my bedroom... I struggle to take the dog for a walk cos of thinking of all the things that could happen to me. Belive it or not the only thing I have managed to do this year is do a part time course A leve in Psychology as i thought it would help me, but there was times I couldnt attend that because of my panics etc. And even going there and meeting people there was no-one I could become real good friends because they were all too young or too old and married with familys

Thanks for your reply though, i just feel a bit doomed the brick wall beckons
Natasha xx