Is There Life After Television? Maybe There Should Be...

Let’s face it, we, as a whole, are watching even more television than ever. As an avid fan, I recognize that TV is not the only thing out there. I hate to admit the fact that so much time watching my favorite shows may not be productive, healthy, or beneficial. While I could argue that TV takes you to far away places, lets you learn in new ways, and ties people together like never before, there is another side.

If you are watching TV, you aren’t exercising, enriching your mind by reading, or spending time with your family. Though, television seems to be one of the few ways to bring people together these days. Discovery News published an article earlier this year on this issue of excessive amounts of TV time. It says that people watching over four hours of TV a day are increasing their risk of early death. The article, Watching Too Much TV Could Kill You, basically states that it’s bad for your heart and sitting for that long or longer means you aren’t working the muscles in your body. By failing to do so, your body isn’t burning fat and sugars in your system.

LimiTV’s website touches the issue of obesity. The site hits on studies that have drawn a connection between television and weight issues in children. I don’t think this point is too hard to argue. By watching excessive amounts of television, kids are decreasing their physical activity and subjecting themselves to mouth watering ads for restaurants and food items.

The article touches on an idea that I had never really given much consideration; a connection between ADHD and television. Studies on the issue have been researched for ages and are still on going. A main idea is that the quick pace that images and sounds change on the screen cause the body’s neurological system to become overwhelmed, which may turn into an attention issue as the child grows. Another study talked about the idea that kids with ADHD are simply copying the quick pace of television.

There are a million and one other issues involved with viewing too much television. I think those are no surprise either. As much as I adore television, I know there is such a thing as too much. Whether I choose to acknowledge that is beside the point. But, I think, we can all benefit from turning off the TV and picking up a book or going for a walk. Television isn’t going anywhere, and it’ll be there when we want to watch just a small amount.