Americans Unhappy, Should Watch Less TV
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Shocking! New! Research!
Watching too much TV is bad for you!
This is pretty much what the authors of a new study tell us. The study suggests that despite the sharp rise in our standard of living in recent decades, Americans today are not happier than they were in earlier generations: a large percentage of the people surveyed were likely to spend a big chunk of their day in an unpleasant state.
According to the study authors, this is because people don’t incorporate enough “engaging leisure and spiritual activities”, such as socializing, exercising or reading books, into their day. Despite having more leisure time than ever before, time spent on engaging leisure activities has actually declined over the past four decades.
Instead, there’s been a significant increase in the hours devoted to what the authors call “neutral downtime,” which is mostly watching television. Watching TV may be low-stress and moderately enjoyable, but people aren’t mentally engaged the way they are when they’re exercising or socializing.
The study authors suggest that people would feel better about their lives if they spend their leisure time doing something more interactive and engaging than watching television.
As I said, shocking. 
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Clay Collins | The Growing Life responds:
Posted: April 5th, 2008 at 5:17 am →
Vered you’re so right. When I was young my mom read to my brother and I four an hour each night. Actually, I think she did that even when we were 8, 9, 10 and maybe even 11. Much better than TV, we could stop, asking questions, talk about it, and some of my best memories involve her reading to us.
I read somewhere that our metabolisms our slower when we’re watching T.V. than when we’re asleep. Go figure.
Chris responds:
Posted: April 5th, 2008 at 6:40 am →
Too much of anything is a bad thing therefore if we practice moderation including watching TV we will be ok. While I read a lot and do other engaging things, I also like to watch TV and learn quite a bit from it…You know what? I also read that 80% of studies are most likely misleading…Go figure!
Ann responds:
Posted: April 5th, 2008 at 11:17 am →
We joke and say our daughter is the only kid in America who doesn’t like to watch TV, but it’s true. She would much rather be interacting with a live person. I must admit this can be frustrating at times; I feel envious of friends whose kids will watch a video while they make dinner, do chores, etc.
For myself, I’ve decided no more crime shows. They’re getting more and more gruesome and there are so many of them. I watch TV in the evening (usually while doing something else) and enjoy it, but I think I’ll stick to sit coms, even American Idol! rather than these sordid shows.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: April 5th, 2008 at 11:52 am →
@Clay - yes, TV does strange things to our brains.
@Chris - I agree - everything in moderation.
@ Ann - I stopped watching crime shows too. But even dramas such as ER are becoming too graphic. When I do watch TV, it’s mostly reruns of Seinfeld or That 70s Show.
Jill responds:
Posted: April 5th, 2008 at 4:20 pm →
Shocking, indeed.